One of "those"

[NHFarrier]

Here's a pony for you: 30 years old, never been caught, never had a halter on, rarely had human contact. The animal control officer told the 80 year old owner that the pony's care needed to be done immediatly or it would be taken. The old woman didn't even know there was still a pony in the backyard (or 2 cows). It took an hour and a half to catch her, and only once we had chased her around and she was heaving for air. UNBELIEVABLY the trim went fine, with only a few attempts to kick when I went for her back legs....I even gave her a hair cut and took off 30 years of dredlocks...I would have taken pictures, but they were worried that I was going to get them in more trouble!

Amy

[SlowShoe]

Nice.. Now for the real interesting stuff.. What did you charge for a trim and a haircut?

=]

[Phil Armitage]

30 year old pony and 80 year old lady, why not just leave them alone. Seems they got along just fine before anyone noticed.

[Gary Hill]

Did you miss the part about the old lady forgetting the pony and two cows still there???

[Red Amor]

Like your black hummer Phil;)

[Phil Armitage]

Did you miss the part about the old lady forgetting the pony and two cows still there???

I got that part, I also get the impression they are still with the ole lady, just now the feet are trimmed. Whoopie. :) What was the deal, the feet need to be done right away or she can't keep the pony that she supposedly forgot she had? :confused:

[Gary Hill]

If I had a nickel for all the little ponies and donkeys that run pastures neglected, I might have a few dollars? Getting old ain't fun and some of my clients that I have taken care of for over 20 yrs are dying off. Funny how the new owners nowdays don't have a clue about their animals and them little old ladies have forgotten more than the newbies will ever learn. Best, Gary

[horsesrfun]

I can't help but wonder how the horse made it 30 years without the 'help' from the animal control officer?

[NHFarrier]

The pasture was lush and set back from the road. The pony, being very ferral, never came too close to any onlookers, so I assume it went unnoticed. Only now that it is getting old and slow, and staying much closer to the farmyard did some "nosy neighbor" call it in.

I know I am going to here sighs of disgust, but I donated the trim to the old woman, with the understanding she would have some one start practicing catching the pony, so next time things would go smoother. So far things seem to be going better...the pony is still there any way.

Amy

[Gary Hill]

Good Heart Amy! You would have worried yourself sick driving by thinking of the little guy getting worse. You gave back , good on ya as Red says! Gary

[Bill Adams]

This is what running your own business is all about. I do **** things like that sometimes too. My little old lady with donkeys is on the 1992 price schedule.
Bill

[Kaydence]

Yup, I joked with one client that I gave a discount when the age of the client added to the age of the pony came up to more than 100. It seemed at least one of them earned it. :) Only one pony and one client can contribute the numbers at one time though!

Cheri

[Franky Lundist]

Good for you Amy,
I had a similar situation here, an older gentlemen brought a little pony up to my place its feet were curled like ram horns, the old guy said he had been at the cattle auction and felt sorry for the little booger as the meat buyers were joking they couldnt even get 10 dollars for the hide, so the old guy bid 10 dollars and brought the pony home, I got him trimmed up and moving good again and the old guy's wife now has a pet that is maintained regularly.

It kind of makes you wonder doesnt it, with all the talk of licensing and registration and the hornets nest the AFA has stirred up (and is still stirring up) Maybe we should look at licensing and registering horse owners instead of farriers?

[NHFarrier]

It's crazy how much neglect some horses can take! I went to a new place today, the horse's owner told me on the phone that he was frustrated with the people at the boarding stable for not getting a farrier there for the horses. I figured the horse would be long, but when I got there he still had on winter pads, studs, and borium! His feet were two inches too long! And with all that, he was the nicest, easy going horse I worked on today.....strange!

Amy

[George Geist]

Amy,
I know you havent been around very long but I believe Franky has been doing this type of work for some time now. Question I have is this- Is it just a coincidence or am I seeing these people get worse and worse?

Last week marked my 26th year in this trade and for many years I thought those people were the ones beginning horseshoers got. Over the last 7 or 8 years I have seen them get worse and worse to the point that I routinely do work I thought I left behind years ago. Just when you think they cant get any worse they do. Anybody have any solutions beyond the tired old "educate the horse owners" nonsense?
George

[Bill Adams]

Franky,
100% spot on. Well put.
Bill