If a trainer wants you to shoe a certain way that you don’t agree with because you feel it may hurt the horse in the long run, how do you handle this?

First you have to have a viable rationale for why you don't want to shoe the way the trainer wants. Then after having a calm, professional discussion with the traine, s/he still wants the horse shod in a way you find unacceptable, then you have a moral and ethical responsibility to recuse yourself from the situation.
—Richard

You have got to think long term and ripple effect. If the trainer is the sort to dictate rather than consult, then he/she is more than likely the sort to blame and tell. Of course in that scenario you are screwed in any event, but less so if you step aside rather than shoe against your better judgement and injure the horse. If you are accused of laming a horse that can follow you for years, whereas being accused of not following direction or being uncooperative can be managed and explained easier,and has a much shorter shelf life.
—Bill McCleary

This is always a sticky situation but as a professional you must pick your battle ground. If you feel strongly about it you should recommend an alternate method to produce the same effect but is easy on the horse, if that is unsatisfactory to the client then it is time to pack your tools. As professional's we need to put the horse first. The argument that the next farrier will do it and make the money just doesn't cut it.
—Larry

Thats an easy one, I refuse to do any thing to a horse that is illegal or that I feel will hurt a horse,if it means I lose a client oh well, my reputation is more important to me.
—Mike

If I feel a particular way of shoeing is going to be detrimental to the horse in the long run, I'll attempt to discuss it with the trainer and/or owner. If their minds are set, I will pick my tools up & leave telling them I don't believe in that style/way of shoeing & reasons why not & perhaps they need to find a more suitable farrier for their needs. I've become more about ethics as I've gotten older!
—Diane

You should always do what you know is right. Even if you lose a customer. otherwise you could be blamed for their mistake.
—Teresa McElhinney

If anyone suggest shoeing I think is detrimental to the animal I tell them to get someone else . I will eventually get to fix it at one of the vet clinics I work at.
—Mike Foreman

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