What Do You Do When You Think A Vet’s Shoeing Prescription Won’t Help The Horse?

The Scenario: You’re ready to shoe a lame horse for the first time and the new client hands you a detailed and specific shoeing prescription from a vet you’ve never worked with. What do you do after you call the vet and he remains firm in what he wants done, even though you don’t think it will help the horse?

Options % of Farriers

Tell the owner he or she needs to find another farrier to do the work

 10%

Explain the situation and say you’re willing to work on other horses, but not this one

 18%

Shoe the horse the way the vet wants, but look for a new client as you can expect this to happen again

 6%

You give your written opinion and carry out the prescription exactly how the vet wants it

 66%

— 2017 American Farriers Journal email survey

If You Are Willing To Train A Horse To Stand For Hoof-Care, When Do You Do It?

Options % of Responding Farriers
During regular farrier visits 86%
During a designated training visit 14%

— 2017 American Farriers Journal email survey


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