Posted by Phil Armitage on October 28, 2003 at 07:45:34:
In Reply to: Re: Tactfully switching farriers? posted by Patty Stiller on October 27, 2003 at 17:29:26:
: : What’s the best way to switch farriers? I recently moved states & the first farrier I’ve had out here is just not doing a good job on my horses...they aren’t level, the angles are off, the hind toes are too long, flares aren’t being taken off, soles aren’t trimmed, et cetera. I put it down the first time to just being a new set of horses and not working in ideal conditions, but this second time all the problems seem to be worse. (Farther off of level, length of hooves is more disparate, etc) I’ve talked to several trainers & riders in the area and none of them like this guy. My question is: how do I tell him I don’t want him to do my horses any more? Do I just say that I’m going to have the new trainer’s farrier do them since they will be there anyway (true, but not the whole truth) or do I say his quality of work just doesn’t work on my mares (honest, but not very nice)? I like him as a person–he’s a nice guy & always right on time–but my horses’ soundness has to come first. (By the way, this is an older guy who has been doing this his whole life, not someone just learning)
: : Suggestions??
: : Thanks,
: : -Kristine
: : PS
: : I’m still wondering what the appropriate ‘standard’ tip is for a farrier? What about for special things like thrown shoes, a ‘fidget’ day, etc? I want my farrier to be happy to work on my horses whenever things come up!
: Most farriers understand there is no need for explanations, because you are the boss and can hire whoever you want. Just do not make a future next appointment. If you already have a standing appointment,it is courteous to call and cancel it well ahead of time so he has time to fill the hole in his schedule.
: If you have to talk to him in person when you cancell, just say it is nothing personal,his service has been considerate and professional but you want to try a little different direction with your horses' shoeing and have found someone else. Thank him for the past service.
: You can always send a note along those lines if you have trouble handling these types of situations.
: I would rather know that client will not be using my services anymore, rather than wondering if they forgot about making an appointment and are letting the horse go way overdue.
: Over the years I have found that sometimes a client simply does not call for the next appointment when they have moved on to another farrier.(or actually moved out of the area an never bothered to tell me)
: If I did call to remind them their horse is overdue, then they had to tell me they got someone else. Ouch, but that's the nature of any 'service' business.
:
: Patty
:
:
Kristine, read the post below yours about the horse's hind feet being sore after being trimmed to short and the reply about erroring on the side of caution. Maybe your farrier likes to keep the feet on the long side until he learns the horse and what he has to work with. Sometimes it is better to error on the side of caution. He is an older farrier that has been doing this for a long time and probably has seen some bad things happen in his time. Just a thought. Talk to him, you might learn something.
Phil