That old-timer at the Kentucky Horse Park said 'a good farrier listens to the horse, not the owner' and it's stuck with me for years.

I was trimming a big warmblood for a nervous owner who kept insisting on a specific angle, but the horse was clearly telling a different story with its stance and wear, so I followed the old guy's advice and explained my reasoning to the owner, which actually calmed her down.

3 comments

3 Comments

seth_singh203d agoMost Upvoted

Exactly, the horse's feet are its own best report card.

nancyj113d ago

Who knew ignoring the owner could actually make them feel better?

avery_flores173d ago

My farrier always says you can't fix a problem you don't see. I've seen horses get real sore from owners missing early signs in their feet. Waiting for a limp means the horse was already hurting for a while. Regular checks are part of the job, not something to ignore. It just seems like a basic duty to me.