I moved away from my godlike farrier 2 years ago. He was a Certified Journeyman Farrier. Now my horses hooves look terrible due to sub-standard horseshoeing even tho I an religious about it. My main horse is an endurance horse and it's extra crucial to have a well-balanced foot. Even hoof wall quality has gone down even though I feed a hood supplement. Good farriers don't advertise and good ones my neighbors are recommending aren't taking new customers. How can I find one?

-- Debbie (notanymore@privat.com), November 04, 2001

Answers

A lot of farriers don't feel the time and cost of transportation is worthwhile if there are only a few horses to be shod. When I had horses I drove them to a large stable nearby every time the farrier was scheduled there. I didn't have to pay any sort of fee since I was already giving them my business in another way, but even if you have to pay something extra, it might be worth it if you can be assured of quality work.

-- Leslie A. (lesliea@mm2k.net), November 04, 2001.

Debbie, click below. Click your state for a list of farriers in your area. My farrier is on this list. Just remember, you're not marrying the farrier; certified or not, whoever you pick may or may not end your search! Good luck.

Certified Farriers

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), November 04, 2001.

If there is a country fairgrounds in your area which has a horse racing track and does boarding, check with the manager there.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), November 05, 2001.

Thanks, Rogo! I found the e-mail address of a friend of mine that's a farrier. I've wanted to have him look at my horses for years! Great info. Thanks.

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), November 05, 2001.

Our vet has a saying: "As soon as you find a good farrier, start looking for another one". Seems like every good one we've found in the past few years, with the exception of the one we use now, has moved to Missouri or somewhere east! Thanks for the link! Jan

-- Jan in Co (Janice12@aol.com), November 05, 2001.

Thanks for the great link! There are two there I will be calling who look like they're in my general area! Thanks to everyone!

-- Debbie in MO (notanymore@privat.com), November 05, 2001.

Any large animal vet should be able to give you a couple names of farriers they would recomend. I am lucky enough to have a farrier in the family.

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), November 05, 2001.