Yesterday was the culmination of a very frustrating experience.  From now one I am going to make a gift of a big, black hairy spider to inattentive owners. 

I am seeing regularly the necessity to help people pull their head out of their donkey (ass).

Naturally, that leads me to self assess….no pun intended…and try to figure out how I can handle a similar situation later to a better conclusion.

The details of this situation are going to repeat.

As a trainer and farrier, now I get to handle all manner of problems.  I’ve found that people tend to blame trainers just as much as they blame farriers.

Now, let’s get a scope here.  You have a horse and you have problems.

You have a talented trainer (enter me) and farrier (enter me) that agrees to help you.

Talented trainer says, I can fix this problem but I need a committment.

You say, “I commit.”  (You’ll forget that part later).

Trainer and farrier go to work and warn you that the process won’t be an overnight success. 

You say, that’s OK.  I understand.  Do your thing.  (You won’t remember saying that later).

Talented farrier addresses the horrendous and atrocious condition of your horses hooves first, warning…”Your horse that your never ride is going to be sore.  This will last a couple of weeks.”

Talented trainer explains why the horse will be sore.  In detail.  And tells you that regular visits with Talented farrier will be part of your committment.

You know you told the Talented trainer that you see your farrier frequently, but Talented farrier can see by your horses hooves that you are not telling a straight truth.  Talented farrier pushes for your committment.

You say, “I understand.  I don’t want my horse to be sore.  I want my horse to be healthy.”

Talented farrier says, “That’s good, because your horse is going to be sore before it gets better.”

Talented farrier explains why and what to expect, then finishes the trim. 

Talented farrier video tapes the hoof for future reference, making note that this is one of the worst hooves Talented farrier has seen in awhile.

Talented trainer, content with the matter, leaves instructions for you to call if you have any questions or concerns.  Talented trainer also tells you not to exercise the horse and to call for a boot fitting if the horse becomes unusually sore.

You look straight into Talented farriers eyes and promise to do so.  You acknowledge the instruction you’ve been given.

The next day you say, “I am going to use this horse.”  You do and find that the horse is sore.

You call the vet.  The vet isn’t familiar with natural hoof care.  They also aren’t farriers or trainers.

You then call all of your friends after the vet tells you that the quarters of your horse’s hooves are too short.

You forget that you’ve been told by talented farrier that relieving the quarters is the first step toward relieving excess pressure on the hoof wall and coronet band.

You tell all of your friends that the Talented farrier “butchered” your horse.

You then call your old farrier.  The one that screwed up the horse up in the first place and ask their opinion.

They of course tell you that the Talented farrier doesn’t have a clue about good hoof care.

Talented farrier, unaware of any of this because You haven’t called her to discuss your concerns, then calls you two weeks later to follow-up with you.

Remember, psychic, Talented farrier told you that your horse would be sore and in detail told you why and what to do.

Talented farrier listens as you give them a load of crap about the fact that you are a butcher.

Talented farrier listens, without interrupting.  Then reiterates why seperated laminae, flares, bruising, nails left in hoof walls by before mentioned farrier are all reasons for alarm and concern.

Talented farrier listens as you berate, alleging attrocities and blaming you for the horse being sore.

Talented farrier’s heart sinks because it becomes very clear what EXACTLY the horse’s problem is (and it isn’t rotten hooves or behavioral issues) and offers to give you and your friends a free hoof care clinic.

You scream at the Talented farrier that you would never consider such a thing.  You have twenty five years experience riding horses.

Talented farrier then feels the pain of your horse and offers to give you and your friends three free trims under the condition that you be present for each trim and observe the changes and listen to and explore the advice, links and education you will receive.

You scream that you will never allow Talented farrier on to your property, even if you are paid.

Talented farrier then replies that yhou obviously don’t understand that Talented farrier was the one who pointed out that your horse had contracted heels, an underdeveloped frog, flared walls, seperation of the laminae, an unmistakable prolapse of the coffin bone and physical ailments all related to the problems you’ve been having and totally reversible with knowledgeable hoof care.  And that these problems were inherited, not caused by Talented farrier.

You then accuse the Talented farrier of criticizing your beloved farrier.

Talented trainer replies that pointing out facts is not criticism.

You yell that previous farrier has never made your horse sore.

Talented farrier points out that soundness is a broad picture.  Horses with flares and long hoof walls don’t contact the ground with their frog, which is why they aren’t sore but also the reason why horses develope laminitis, navicular, founder and other lameness issues.

You tell Talented farrier that you would never allow talented farrier to touch your horse again.  You ignore the fact that Talented farrier found your horse in this condition and out of care and concern, tried to help you with it without calling you an idiot.

Talented farrier points out that if you aren’t knowledgeable enough to understand that flares, bruises, contracted heels and underdeveloped frogs are problematic before you contacted Talented farrier that you aren’t qualified to make judgement on the changes made by Talented farrier.

That makes you mad and you call the Talented farrier worthless, pushy, bitchy, and a few other choice R-rated names.

Talented farrier sighs knowing that this conversation is going nowhere.

You fire off emails to all of your friends and save the last bit of your angry strength to tell Talented farrier (that’s still me) that you are going to call the police if Talented farrier every emails, calls or tries to communicate with you ever again.

Talented farrier retires, sick to her stomach knowing there is another horse isuffering and  that she is now powerless to help.

Talented farrier wishes to be granted the patience to deal with stupid people and prays they would be bitten by a big black hairy spider the day after they pissed her off.  May they be bitten twice.

“I should have liked to draw the attention of the whole learned fraternity of blacksmiths, who mutilate horses, the world over.  The hoofs were as solid and as sound as ivory, without a crack or wrong growth of any sort.  It is noticeable that the equine race, in its wild state, has none of the ills of the species of domesticated.  The sorrows of horse flesh are the fruits of civilization.  By the study of the imitation of nature’s methods, we could greatly increas the usefulness of these valuable servants, and remove temptation from the path of many men who lead blameless lives, except in the single matter of horse-trades.” – W.E. Webb (1872)

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.