Farriers are abundant, but finding a good farrier who works well with both human and horse, is far more difficult. Each farrier will possess a different skill set and excel in different areas. Locating the perfect farrier fit, is crucial to building and maintaining a working relationship that is based on trust and mutual respect.
Certified farriers, what does it mean?
There are various organizations who certify farriers in the US, just as there are different levels of certification. One of the most prominent is the American Farrier's Association (AFA), the official farriers of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The AFA offers four levels of certification, beginning with, AFA Farrier Classification (AFA Farrier), through to the more advanced, Certified Journeyman Farrier (AFA CJF), which requires a display of highly developed skills and artistry. Beyond that, farriers can choose to specialize in key areas of hoof care.
Finding a naturally-gifted farrier
Titles and skills are of course, essential, but they do not always make a naturally-gifted farrier. What do I mean by a naturally-gifted farrier? He's the one who walks in and immediately seems to calm even the most fretful of horses. He works methodically and effortlessly and gets the job done with a minimum of fuss. More importantly, your horse lets him.
Around the horse, this farrier is natural and at ease, and the entire process is stress-free for all concerned. This guy is a dream come true. Unfortunately, he can also be difficult to find.
The 'naturalness' of a farrier is not something that can be taught. Some have it, others don't, and it's the horse that ultimately decides. I've had farriers with credentials as long as a horse's tail, turn a mild-mannered mare into a horse I would never have recognized. But, you can't fool a horse for too long because they don't read certificates, they read body language.
A good relationship with a farrier begins with the owner
A good relationship between owner-horse-farrier, should be a cherished one. As an owner, don't expect a farrier to work on a horse that has had minimal handling, it isn't fair to endanger his safety. Furthermore, putting a young horse through a bad experience because you haven't taken the time to work on his handling, is cruel, and could initiate a lifelong phobia that progressively gets worse.
Establishing a set of prerequisites prior to finding a farrier is always a good idea, and will help you weed out those who simply do not gel with your horses. The best farriers are invariably found through word of mouth and inevitably, they have busy schedules. Horse owners know the value of a seasoned farrier and they're not always willing to share. If you find yourself in this situation, consider these options and points:
- The most expensive farrier may not be the best. The best farrier I ever had, was an old cowboy with a passion. He was also half the price of others
- Check with a local vet for recommendations
- Popular farriers have an established clientele and rarely need to loudly advertize their services
- Expect to go through several farriers before finding one who works for you
- If you own a horse who needs specialized attention, hire a farrier trained in this area
- People's perceptions are different. One farrier may be liked by one horse owner and hated by another. Keep an open mind
- There is no "Angie's List," for farriers, but the AFA does host a search area for AFA accredited farriers
Once you've found a natural farrier, keep him happy
Having done your homework and found a farrier that both you and your horse are comfortable with, it's important to keep him. If he's popular and much sought after, you'll score points if you are willing to work with his schedule. And don't ever cancel on him at the last minute, unless it's absolutely necessary.
Getting the right farrier for the job might entail a lengthy process, but finding, "the one," is priceless. Keep him as long as possible and over a period of time, he'll learn everything about your horse's unique requirements. Care is often shaped around the individual equine, and tailored towards what we use our horses for. The longer we can retain our trusted farrier, the better he'll provide what horse and rider both need.
Elizabeth Batt - Elizabeth Batt is a former large animal nurse, certified NREMT, lover of equines and conservationist.
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