Not a good day....Advice Please?

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Pretty much everywhere I've ever lived (and worked with horses), if your (good) farrier decides to drop you as a client -- and believe me, the good ones have PLENTY of business and don't need to keep you on their list -- you are fairly well screwed.

Especially since they all talk to each other, and if someone drops you because of <some reason> it does not usually help you to convince another farrier to take you on, unless they happen to think that the original farrier was a nitwit, or feel real sorry for your horses.

I think the role of a farrier in a horse owner's life is probably real hard for non horse owners to understand. A good vet you can get along without -- a good farrier, no. (Unless you are fortunate to have the opportunity to study with someone good to learn to do your own horses' feet - which hardly ever works out as well as the people doing it *think* it is working out)

Pat

 

[Fudgie]

When I read this the first thing that came to mind is this:

You have hired her to do a job for you. She needs to act in a responsible professional manner. I look at it this way, would you bring your child to your job for 8 hours? Would you continue to have a job after that? UM NOOOOO. This lady is pushing your limits that you set for her. You are HER employer, you are not hers. She needs to abide by your rules and do what you say or find another job (IE You find another farrier. ) I would agree that you owe no one any explanation except for the fact that this woman needs to hear it.

You could not abide by my rules on my property therefore to keep the safety of my farm and livestock, your services are no longer needed.

No more explanation needed. But she might get the hint. What an idiot she is!

She would pay for the vet bills! GRRRR

You also say farriers are hard to find, well maybe you NEED to tell her You love the job she does on your horses but even at 20 bucks a horse(and I am sure that is VERY conservative), that is a big load from her pocket book I am not sure how many horses you have but if you have 5 that is a nice chunk of change for her to loose over torqueing off a farm owner over her irresponsibility over her own pet.

remind her who is hiring whom!

 

[HennysMom]

Quote:
Pretty much everywhere I've ever lived (and worked with horses), if your (good) farrier decides to drop you as a client -- and believe me, the good ones have PLENTY of business and don't need to keep you on their list -- you are fairly well screwed.

Especially since they all talk to each other, and if someone drops you because of <some reason> it does not usually help you to convince another farrier to take you on, unless they happen to think that the original farrier was a nitwit, or feel real sorry for your horses.

I think the role of a farrier in a horse owner's life is probably real hard for non horse owners to understand. A good vet you can get along without -- a good farrier, no. (Unless you are fortunate to have the opportunity to study with someone good to learn to do your own horses' feet - which hardly ever works out as well as the people doing it *think* it is working out)

Pat

I understand what you're saying Pat - but...that still doesnt give this person the right to say "I'm going to do what I want and let my dog out, and if he gets injured, its YOUR fault, not mine - so deal with it" when you clearly have told this person no to begin with. That is not good business practice - good ferrier or no - I'd find another one.

Do I own a horse? No - but I have friends that do and I have friends that are ferriers as well - and they would NEVER have such nerve to say let alone ACT such a way with any client(s). They'd be canned in a heart beat after the first warning if they did it again.

 

[Fudgie]

My farrier does not even want MY GIRLS around when he is trimming hooves! He wants no chance of the horses spooking over silly stuff. DOGS is just plain STUPID! What is she thinking!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
But, the thing is -- mind, I don't know whether this is U.C.'s situation, but it's been mine in a number of places where I've lived/worked -- what if THERE IS NO OTHER GOOD FARRIER? (It's not like the difference between a good house painter and a poor one - where the house just looks kinda crappy. It's a matter of ensuring the health and comfort of the horses. And poor farriers, who are by far the majority out there, do real damage.)

(edited to clarify -- there are ALWAYS 'other' farriers. They are fairly plentiful. But tHe great majority are no good)

So do you make your horses suffer, possibly doing lasting damage to their soundness, just so you can stand on principle?

My answer would be absolutely unquestionably not having to even think about it for a MOMENT, "no".

It's real nice when you do have another option. That just isn't always the case.

Pat

 

[ShadyGlade]

As I am owned by two horses and a mule, I understand about good farriers. You know YOU are right in this. She really has NO wiggle room. . .that said you also know that you are probably going to have to compromise a little AGAIN. I feel for you & I'm entirely on your side, rant, rave, gnash your teeth, vent, get it all out - then do what you have to for the sake of your horses' hooves & health.

 

[spookyevilone]

I'd get a new farrier.

1) Bringing a new dog on your property exposes your dogs to any bug or parasite or disease that dog might have.

2) Danger to livestock and other pets.

3) YOU ASKED HER NOT TO, sounds like more than once, and she can't respect your wishes on your property.

Sorry you had to deal with that. I'd have been livid too, and then I'd have kicked her off the property even if it meant having to do the horse's hooves myself.
-Spooky

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Believe it or not, I have seen farriers show up with children and expect you to babysit while they do your horse's feet! I have seen a Vet do it too! ONLY in the horse world folks, honestly Pat is totally right in saying you have to be involved with horses to understand this.

UC I'm not saying you should allow her to have the dog loose, far from it! Keep your rule. However I do think *just to reduce your stress* if you keep yet another line between her dog, yours and your chickens you will benefit. I really feel for you, you need this gal's services, not all the horses are yours so the choice to change is not really yours, and your not always the one supervising the work. Your really between a rock and a hard place!

I wish farriers had a professional association they had to be a part of, a body you could report them to. Some have regional ones but for the most part nothing. We had a farrier show up with a dog at a barn I was a part of many years back, dogs were allowed there, everyone brought theirs so no big deal, but this dog was obviously scratching. Someone asked the farrier why and he calmly stated he has fleas. They checked and sure enough the dog has fleas really bad! So they tell the guy he has to put his dog in the truck (as if that would be enough) and he says he will pack up and leave. Soooooo... those that want their horses done let him stay. Again, the best farrier around, they need the work. But the part that kills me, he is back at 5 weeks to work again, the dog still has fleas! 'Ya, too busy, have not had time to do anything about that.....' He never goes anywhere without his dog, including horse shows and roping, and this dog has had fleas for at least 5 weeks now?!?

 

[HennysMom]

Pat,

I understand where you're coming from, you're right, a good ferrier is hard to find. I believe U.C. said there were others in the area - whether they are as good as the current one, I don't know.

Its just a shame that people take advantage of their trade and feel they can justify thier position no matter what, and sadly, alot of times we either have to suffer in silence and suffer the fool or...have our animals suffer

I hope UC can find a solution to the situation, it just isnt right. Maybe he can provide the ferrier with a copy of the insurance laws

i.e., posted signs - you disobey -you're liable

Maybe that will put a stop to it? One can hope

 

[sewchick]

I wonder what is more important here the dog or the farrier? For me there would absolutely be no question. I would have said your services are no longer needed the minute she decided to be my boss. NO WAY!!! Seems it will just keep going on because she did not get the message. Personally I don't think good politics are going to help. She seems defiant and wants her way even though she knows the employers rules. She will push harder I think. This is only my opinion nothing more. I have been in a situation that was similar. Some people just do what they want when they want and don't care if someone or something gets hurt. I do hope maybe she will apologize to you. My my thinking is she will not and she will push until something happens. I can only wish you good luck with this one. Your between a rock and a hard place. I hope you are looking for a new farrier for a backup plan. Can't hurt to look.

On a brighter note...maybe you should tape some of those court shows with animals involved and send them to her. Judge Judy is kind of mean.

I like her show.