[Zwarte]

I have brought my 17 hand warmblood to the boonies. I just got a call returned (finally) from a farrier who is willing to put new shoes on her.

She wears size 3 shoes.

The farrier said that I needed to order the shoes myself and also get special nails for this size shoe.

I have no idea what to get. Does anyone want to wade in here and help me with advice and sources?

In my experience, you schedule the farrier, leave a check and a trim and shoes happen.

[D Murray]

i think you need to get a real farrier. most farriers should be able to service anything from a mini to a draft.
or at least he/she should pickup the proper supplies and then come and shoe the horse.

[tarynls]

Even if the farrier requested you supply the shoes (red flag #1) and "special nails" - he couldn't even tell you what specific nails to buy? (Red flag #2.)

FYI, we *generally* use a 5 city head nail on a size 3 shoe - may vary between different brands of shoes / hoof wall quality, etc...

[Tehzebra]

Sounds like a "guy with a hammer" instead of a "farrier" :/ Why cant he order them and then just charge you for it? I know you can buy shoes and nails up at farm supply stores (at least around here.)

[Rick Burten]

I suggest you cancel the appointment and find a farrier who either has the requisite supplies or will order whatever s/he needs to provide proper service. Additionally, if she doesn't have the supplies or says s/he can't get them, then s/he should be able to build whatever shoe is necessary from bar stock and punch it for an appropriate size/style nail. How extensively did you interview this service provider? Did you ask him/her if s/he carries and uses a forge? Did you ask what type of horses make up his/her custom? Did you ask for references? If you go ahead with this folly, the supply house should be able to tell you what size/type nails you will need. I expect they will tell you something like a City Head 6, depending on the shoe manufacturer, will suffice, though a Regular Head 6 or 7 might be indicated depending on the work the horse will be doing, the surface on which he will be working, and whether or not the shoes are clipped, either with side clips(my preference) or a toe clip.

Might try looking here: http://www.polocenter.com/farrier/farrierusar.htm

Any one of those listed who has "CJF" or "RJF" or "RMF" or 'DWCF' or 'AWCF'
knows his/her way around a forge. Those without said designations may also know their way around a forge, but the appellations leave no doubt.

[Patty Stiller]

I will echo Rick. This is not a real farrier,nor anyone I would trust if he does not have on hand a larger variety of materials. A true professional who does this full time would be prepared, or at least get what he needed for your horse himself before arriving at your barn. A size 3 shoe is not all that unusual.

[alibi_18]

She wears size 3 shoes.
The farrier said that I needed to order the shoes myself and also get special nails for this size shoe.

The farrier haven't seen the horse yet and probably doesn't know what you need exactly. How can he decides the type of shoes you will need to go buy?

How do you know it is still size 3 all around that your mare needs?

What if your mare only really needs front shoes? What if you would need leather pad or other type of padding? Do you need to supply that as well?!? Do you need shoes with clips/no clips/side or front clips? Wider outside branch, longer at the heels?

Really, if he's a true farrier, he should come look at the horse, evaluate the needs, let you know how much cost, trim/shod your horse with his own supply and charge you accordingly which can include a little supplement for the material cost of course... not that difficult. That is what every farrier I've ever met were doing...

In my experience, you schedule the farrier, leave a check and a trim and shoes happen.

I would wait until he is done with your mare and that you are happy with the result before leaving a check...

I happen to have give money to a crock once (actually 2 times...I didn't pay his last poor job when I had to call the vet -emergency call on week-end $$$ - and have the shoes removed immediately...and put my mare in stall rest for 3 weeks...) my mare almost got permanently injured from this bad farrier job. And he has supposedly a good reputation...(goes to Wellington with clients and all)

If ever you could, go check on horses this farrier does before he touches yours.

[Zwarte]

I am glad to read your responses.
This guy has a business card that says he is a farrier. That is all.

I'll keep looking.

[Zwarte]

OK. Found a farrier with CF after her name. What would that be?

[tarynls]

CF = Certified Farrier, passed the American Farriers Association exam.

Here's a link that explains what an individual must complete in order to earn the different AFA certificaton levels: http://www.americanfarriers.org/certification/

Specifically, CF: Certified Farrier (AFA CF)

The Certified Farrier exams, which constitute the first level of AFA Certification, are open to farriers who have at least one year of horseshoeing experience, and have demonstrated knowledge and skill to perform hoof care on a professional basis. The Certified Farrier process requires successful completion of written and practical testing, as well as the creation and explanation of a horseshoe display.

[sk_pacer]

I would run fast from this guy. Last time I was asked by the shoer to buy my own shoes was simply because he didn't have the right size on hand, and I was going to the tack shop anyways.

[Tom Bloomer]

I will echo Rick. . . .

I will echo you . . . you . . . you . . . echoing Rick . . . Rick . . . Rick . . .