|
Thank you for
your interest in
Detail Farrier Service
by A Man About a Horse.com
Craig Newmann,
AFA Certified Since
1983
PO Box 275
Bland, MO 65014
(573) (573)
646-5170
Introduction
Ideal
Client
Process
Horse & Farrier Behavior
Experience
Gaited
Horses
Conclusion
The relationship between
farrier and client can be a very important factor in
achieving desired results. Therefore, I believe it is
important to discuss a few of my philosophies and
policies regarding horses and horseshoeing.
I enjoy horses for many reasons. One of them is their
natural beauty; another their usually peaceful demeanor.
I enjoy the interaction with a sensible animal,
showcasing the natural beauty of the hoof while
restoring and maintaining the free-flowing, natural
motion of the horse. The clients I wish to serve feel
the same way.
You’ll notice that I will
use the word “ideally” quite frequently. As horse owners
we all know that the “ideal” is something that we work
toward, but rarely experience.
Top
Ideal Client
My
“ideal” client maintains particular interest in
individual animals, rather than barns full of horses.
Speed and simple practicality are not my
primary motivations. Rather I am driven by a desire to
help each horse perform at its most natural and
comfortable state.
An example of an ideal
client would have one to a few well-behaved
horses for trail or show, with proper facilities for
shoeing, and a desire to ensure their horses are treated
with kindness and shod with care.
Top
Process
While it is common for me
to shoe or trim several horses per appointment, ideally
I would provide service to only one, two, or three horse per
day. This would involve a careful evaluation of the
horse both at rest on a flat clean surface, and while in
motion. There would then be careful trimming and hoof
preparation. Cracks and chips would either be trimmed
and rasped away, or a hoof-restorative plastic would be
applied if needed. Shoes would be set, and the horse’s
motion would then be reevaluated. Again I stress the
word “ideally” - ideally the trainer or equivalent would
be available to assist in the evaluation of the horse’s
motion. Alterations would be made if necessary, and the
shoeing would be completed in a way to ensure both
balance and beauty. The cost of this service could vary
depending upon distance traveled, condition of hooves,
behavior of horse, difficulty of gait, types of shoes
required, choice of finish, and possibly other factors.
Ideally, time restraints
would not be an issue. This would allow all attention to
go into accuracy for the individual horse. Sometimes the
desired results require more time or even a process of
more than one shoeing along with distinct cooperation
between the farrier, the owner, the rider, and the
trainer.
Top
Horse & Farrier Behavior
Obviously, a horse must
have experience being trimmed and shod in order to
provide precision workmanship. Training a horse to be
shod is a separate job from precision farriery.
Therefore, an inexperienced horse is a poor candidate
for precision shoeing. I prefer not to shoe horses that
require more than either positive reinforcement, or a
mild scolding in order to get cooperation. Furthermore,
I believe that most horse owners would prefer not to
have a horseshoer kicking and beating their animal. My
policies are to not participate in such practices, and
in rare cases when punishment may actually have a
desired result, I obtain permission to discipline the
horse. If progress is made, I immediately reinforce the
behavior with kindness and praise, then try to proceed.
If progress is not made almost immediately, the shoeing
job is simply halted in order to prevent injury to the
horse, the handler, owner’s personal property, and
myself. A different approach is discussed and attempted
upon the owner’s request. A successful shoeing being the
goal, all safe and reasonable methods are up for
discussion. If the horse cannot be shod, unfortunately,
the owner is still responsible for fees up to the point
where shoeing came to a halt.
Top
Experience
I have shod all kinds
horses from huge to tiny, from athletes to cripples,
from trails to show rings. In the coarse of my
experience, I have had my share of both successes and
failures. I have learned my strengths and weaknesses as
a farrier. I have fixed horses that other farriers
couldn’t, and I have also failed where other farriers
have succeeded. I don’t know it all and never will. I
often depend on information from riders and trainers,
vets, and other farriers to help me make the right
decisions for my clients. I continue to learn
My strengths are in the
area of restoring natural comfort and balance of the
total horse at rest and in motion through proper
shoeing, hoof angles, hoof lengths, and limb lengths,
and in providing a cosmetic beauty for the hoof.
I am knowledgeable,
experienced, and capable of treating pathological
lameness conditions of the horse, particularly
foundered animals. I have many sources with which to
consult when needed. I rely on veterinarian involvement
before applying dramatic shoeing remedies for lame
horses. And in certain cases, I involve other farriers
to double the working experience on behalf of the horse.
I have studied and am
capable of working hot iron in order to make and
customize shoes. However, modern-day manufacturers of
horseshoes provide a very complete inventory of
well-designed and well-made shoes for many purposes. I
spend a little extra money for good shoes and take the
time needed to apply them skillfully.
Top
Gaited Horses
On the subject of gaited
horses, such as foxtrotters, saddlebreds, Tennessee
walkers, etc., I rely most heavily on the animal’s
natural ability to perform its various gates. I prefer
to avoid all but the most mild measures to assist the
animal. Extreme toe lengths, padding, twisting of the
foot, excessive weight, etc. -- all of these are
measures I avoid in my shoeing practice. As a result,
many owners of these breeds would not benefit from my
service because most of these are common practices. I
do, however, provide my normal shoeing service for
horses of these breeds, and the most naturally gated of
these animals do very well, as do the gated pleasure
horses not in competition.
Top
Conclusion
My clients are horse
lovers who benefit from and value the natural balance
and comfort of their horse both at rest and in motion.
Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Craig Newmann
AFA Certified Farrier
since 1983
Top
Pricing
Safety &
Success Checklist |
