Two things:

1. If you don't over trim the horse, frequent trimming is not a bad thing. In fact, it might be a good thing.
2. In the situations mentioned, the owners are already on this schedule- as suggested by a barefoot trimmer.

In my opinion, we caqn be guilty of making decisions for the owner. If they want a shorter schedule, why not give it to them? There is only upside if that is what they are expecting. If you think it is overkill, then suggest stretching it out a week to see if there is a difference.

Peters Shoeing wrote:
BS-Horseshoeing wrote:

I'm thinking it's great if you can get your customers to pay off your mortgage quicker than you thought possible

I have observed a subset of horse owners, both bare and shod, who really don’t want to ride. I think most are afraid, but don’t want to admit that. But they want to be ‘horse people’. Read the books, go to clinics, buy tack, hang out with horse folks, learn about horse care, have something to fuss over and care for, who whinnies when they see their owner coming. Hey, its better than watching television, yes? They are almost desperate to continue to seek out knowledge, and they try to take better care of their horses than anyone else. Perhaps to cover some guilt for the fact that their horse is not properly exercised? So they make excuses. Not a bad thing to invent ways to care for and fuss over a horse, especially in this day of abuse and neglect.

I often see the excuse as ‘there is so much to do about caring for these horses that I have no time to ride’. They groom a half hour, do carrot stretches, lunge in some contraption recommended by the latest clinician, hose and scrap off non existent sweat, groom again, put on stable wraps and blankets and say “see, I’ve spent 2 hours, and that’s all the time I have”. These are some of the types of people who go to barefoot clinics and learn trim their own. Every other weekend, and spend the afternoon doing their Parrelli ground work, groom, and then apply herbal calming aromatherapy tinctures, so they don’t get kicked by their spoiled horses while they hold up feet and discuss if they need one or two swipes of the rasp on this side, or if the bars seem to be laying over a bit. At least if they are timid, they can do little harm in a trimming session.

These people are paying holistic trimmers to talk to them, teach them, and spend more time doing horsey stuff. They also pay instructors and clinicians to be the center of attention and give them more rituals to perform so they can be “good horse owners” without having to actually ride their horse. If some of you farriers have some extra time to teach beginner horsemanship, holistic horse care, or even lessons in common sense, go for it. These trimmers are no dummies, and they are giving people what they want. You can do the same. Charge them by the hour for a trim every few weeks, and add lots of chatty lessons in how to keep Blacky from stepping on your feet, or running you over when you open the gate. Make up some silly marketing name for your common sense horsemanship program that includes the word ‘natural’ and make some extra money when the season is slow. The horses benefit, you benefit, the clients are happy. It’s win/ win all around. If you don’t have the patience for this type of client, then happily give them over to the local barefoot holistic horse care giver.

Katy Watts wrote:
Thats Great reading!!!!Thanks..How true!

Ah yes Katy, I immediately recognise the type. There must be hundreds in every area.

What seems bizarre and unexplainable suddenly makes sense (sort of ).

Really, you hit the nail on the head Katy. Is safergrass your site?

And, yea, if they insist, 3 week trimming, sure. I guess I just cant get how/why someone would pay $70 every 3 weeks and insist their specialist is the way to go when really, their horse can barely walk on what's left after the 3-week trim gone wrong. Sure, we could all clean up a hoof in 3 weeks, but as Reilly said, it would be a couple rasp swipes. I have seen some "specialists" go to town removing hoof wall.

Peters Shoeing wrote:
They pay it because they have way more money than common sence.

Yes, Safergrass is mine. And yes, people will pay $60 per hour for lessons in common sense. If you have a foreign accent, some charisma, and look good in tight pants, make up BS names for the common sense terms, you can charge $100 per hour AND sell them all kinds of equipment, books, and DVD's.

Change your name to something sounding Indian, open your shirt to show your 6 pack abs, talk about molding a spiritual relationship with your horse, you can charge $200 per hour.

Course, its not entirely honest, but then don't listen to me, as I'm not making a living. There's only a very small market for teachers who are gray haired old ladies with a habit of brutal honesty. Hmmmmm.........any guys out there with charisma who look good in tight pants interested in a joint educational venture?
Katy

Katy Watts wrote:

LOL, Katy you are sooo right!

Katy, how many farriers do you know fitting that description? (charisma, tight pants, 6 pack abs, etc) Perhaps we should do a poll?! And before you guys go getting all tizzy, I would much prefer the grey haired old folk with habits of brutal honesty and day - it's so much more interesting.

What urks me is the way they are so keen to defer to someone who claims to 'know everything'. I REFUSE to know everything! Who among us does!? That's such a heavy trip.

Rachael Kane wrote:
Rachael, we can all be as good looking as we like over the internet.

Rachael Kane wrote:
I can't beleive you would say such a thing!!!!:D:p

Rachael Kane wrote:
Perhaps the attention of the perfect man is as much a figment of the imagination as owning the perfect horse? You can buy the attention of a buff male clinician for a day. You can buy a horse. But developing a lasting, fulfilling relationship with either requires so much more. The disappointing reality must be hard for some to accept.

Learning how to ride was one the most difficult things I ever undertook. But I’m a persistent person, and I was able to fulfill my desire of galloping across open country, alone, with great pleasure and no fear. I encounter a lot of women who are afraid to canter, or ride outside a fenced arena. We need to remember that often people who exhibit overconfidence are disguising fear of failure. It must be very difficult to accept when fear or lack of talent keeps one from realizing their dreams.

But they can still succeed in taking good care of their horses. And that is a good thing.

Hey, you girls are getting personal - I've got all of that - Charisma just comes disguised as a grumpy old man, the pants are tight because I've gained a little and the six pack abs are hidden under that extra weight, but it's all there. Come visit me.

Um short fat and fugley
snore like a boar pig n **** like a brumby
jeans are tight cuz um fat n got a keg instead of a six pack
I got a bad back bad posture bad breath bad mouth n bad manners
and a bad temper
I smell like a dirty old half burnt sheep fleace and can clear a bar in seconds
But I fink um lovely ay :D;)