Barefoot trimmer over farrier? Why??!

[Fabio's Filly!]

I've not posted on here for a while, and this might start a bit of a rammy with everyone who uses BF trimmers but here goes.......

Our new horse Miro who we've had a few months now is barefoot and has been for years. We've had our usual farrier trim him up, roll his hooves when he comes out to shoe Fabio. But, out of curiosity, i had a look at the whole barefoot trimmer thing on the internet. The thing that puzzles me is this - why would you trust someone who has probably had less than a years training to do your horses hooves rather than a farrier who has had to train for 5? I know that some go about it the right way and have all the training they can before commencing business, but a lot don't and as its not properly regulated, can set up business with practically no training what so ever. And charge over double the price you pay a farrier for doing the same job! Surely a farrier is experienced to trim hooves just as well whether they are being prepared for shoes or not?!

So, what is so different about a barefoot trimmer to warrant the extra price, and why pick them over a farrier?

 

[Gimp]

I have a barefoot farrier. I chose her for a few reasons... mainly being let down by local farriers who couldnt be bothered to come out for a trim. When they have trimmed him, its taken all of under 5 mins...

Ok the charge is double from my barefoot farrier, however shes Very reliable ( calls on the day en route to confirm time) She spends approx 30 mins with my boy to ensure his feet are balanced and correctly trimmed. She also takes photgraphs to refer back to.

I would rather pay the £40 charge then a quick 5min cant be bothered £20.

ETA: DISCLAIMER!!!! This may not be the same for ALL farriers! Its just how I feel in my local area!

 

[schneeko]

i don't know

My pony's feet look perfect after being trimmed by the farrier. I guess it might be because they know a lot about unshod feet but surely farriers know even more or at least as much.
However, my farrier is very careful. Takes a good 20 mins and is extremely reliable. If my farrier was less reliable then I would consider a barefoot trimmer (if they were more reliable)

 

[capalldubh]

Hmm, well I had various reasons for employing a trimmer over a farrier when Jackson's shoes were removed nearly three years ago but...

Jackson spent those three years as the only horse in the field trimmed by a trimmer. The other horses in his herd were trimmed by a well respected local farrier (and two were shod by the same farrier).

Perhaps the main thing I can say is that all (bar two feet which are still shod) are now trimmed by the lady who does Jackson's feet. The others saw the improvements in Jackson's feet, and saw the continued lack of improvement or deterioration in their own horse's feet and voted with their feet.

From what I can see, the main difference in terms of improvement rather than maintaining the status quo is the person's attitude to flare and tolerance of thrush and fungal infections - this definitely differentiates the farriers and trimmers.

 

[montys helper]

you have to be carefull when chosing a barefoot trimmer as they only have to go on a short corse unlike a farrier who have to train for a few yrs(not sure how many yrs) i would always chose my farrier any day

 

[capalldubh]

you have to be carefull when chosing a barefoot trimmer as they only have to go on a short corse unlike a farrier who have to train for a few yrs(not sure how many yrs) i would always chose my farrier any day

Certainly you have to be careful choosing a trimmer. Would you not be careful when choosing a farrier?

Personally, I'm pretty careful when choosing a vet, physio, saddle fitter, trimmer or indeed anybody who's going to work with my horse. I'd want to know about training, I'd want to see them work with other horses and I'd want references from other customers

 

[montys helper]

Certainly you have to be careful choosing a trimmer. Would you not be careful when choosing a farrier?

oh yes for sure and i think iv prob had my fare share but have a good one now.but what im sayin is a farrier has more training than a trimmer

 

[capalldubh]

oh yes for sure and i think iv prob had my fare share but have a good one now.but what im sayin is a farrier has more training than a trimmer

Absolutely. A trimmer has no training whatsoever in metalworking, shaping shoes, designing remedial shoes, nailing 'em on, preparing feet to having them nailed on, or indeed in working a forge, making their own nails etc.

So by definition, a farrier has training in this, a trimmer does not - so a farrier has "more" training than a trimmer. However the "more" training doesn't necessarily imply the farrier has more training about trimming and hoof care

 

[montys helper]

Absolutely. A trimmer has no training whatsoever in metalworking, shaping shoes, designing remedial shoes, nailing 'em on, preparing feet to having them nailed on, or indeed in working a forge, making their own nails etc.

So by definition, a farrier has training in this, a trimmer does not - so a farrier has "more" training than a trimmer. However the "more" training doesn't necessarily imply the farrier has more training about trimming and hoof care

u can go on a 6 week course i think it is to be a bare foot trimmer and then say your a qualified trimmer. ill stick to my farrier thanks

 

[posie]

i find my trimmer looks at the whole horse inc movement etc.... 90% of the farriers i've had look just at the feet i'm not saying all farriers can't do a good trim - i just think that their speciality is shoes - whereas a trimmer's speciality is trims

 

[TiggerthePony]

I've had a bad farrier, then a bad barefoot trimmer (only used once) then found an excellent farrier but moved horses to a new field and he too far away, so then put up with a bad farrier as no other choice in the area until eventually I investigated further the barefoot trimmers (had been put off by the first one so took a while to go back down that route) and found a fantastic EP who helped me so much you wouldn't believe. Sadly he lives too far away to use regularly and mine are now trimmed regularly by a very good female farrier!!

I have no qualms about either. There are bad farriers and bad trimmers, some might be great at the feet but awful at the handling (bearing in mind they have to do nervous ponies feet at my place so getting the right one is very important, I have seen farriers smack and kick horses which I do not approve of).

If you go any route you should full investigate them and their work, sadly there are a few unscrupulous trimmers out there but then there are fantastic ones and I would hate the bad ones to give the good ones a bad reputation.

They say a podiatrist has much more knowledge of the goings on inside the hoof and the horses body as a whole, and this was true with my EP compared to the previous farriers who just wanted to get on with the job, explain nothing and leave you with questions! Farriers are trained in metal work for long periods of time where as trimmers are not

What I loved about the podiatrist was he would be there 2 hours sometimes and explain every detail which I needed/wanted to know, I have never come across a farrier who will take that time though I know they are out there in other areas!!

It does worry me that people can go do a 6 week course then charge people to do horses feet, and sell over priced products unnecessarily

With farriers and trimmers as with any thing else it’s always buyers beware!!

 

[TiggerthePony]

u can go on a 6 week course i think it is to be a bare foot trimmer and then say your a qualified trimmer. ill stick to my farrier thanks

That's why you investigate them throughly before letting them any where near your horse!! When mine came out after a lot of discussion and research it was on the basis if I was not happy I would not pay (and of course would put a stop to proceedings if concerned), his offer and I did pay and got him back!

 

[Fabio's Filly!]

u can go on a 6 week course i think it is to be a bare foot trimmer and then say your a qualified trimmer. ill stick to my farrier thanks

My point exactly! And to be able to do remedial work a farrier needs to know the hoof inside out so therefore is as capable as a BF trimmer (more so i think) to be able to trim hooves properly as they are far more knowledgable. How can 6 weeks qualify you to be an 'expert' in hoof care?!

 

[Alexa&Tess]

u can go on a 6 week course i think it is to be a bare foot trimmer and then say your a qualified trimmer. ill stick to my farrier thanks

Sweeping statements like this should be backed up by information.

I have taken this from the EPAUK website about qualifying to become a trimmer.(http://www.eptrain.co.uk/)

"The course is aimed at those wishing to gain detailed, specialist knowledge of the equine foot, the factors which influence its health and the latest techniques in diagnosing and treating hoof pathologies. It is a two year, part time course which includes training from specialist experts in their fields covering farriery, veterinary science, research, nutrition and horse handling as well as mentoring and further training from experienced professional Equine Podiatrists."

There are courses that you can go on as a horse owner if you wish to trim your own horse that are shorter. But they do not qualify you to trim commercially.

Here is another statement from the EPAUK website concerning Industry Standards

"March 2009. The EPA welcomes the outcome of the Initial Consultation Meeting for the development of a National Occupational Standard (NOS) in Barefoot Trimming. The strong sense of unity amongst all barefoot trimming groups on the need to set formal standards at a high level is good news for equine welfare. The EPA will be represented on the working group set up to develop the NOS and will be working to ensure that the highest possible standard is set. "

They are a very professional body. I wouldnt allow anybody that hadnt come recommended, or that I had checked their training with their governing body, to do anything invasive to my horse. I chose a trimmer over a farrier because I appreciate the consultation time, the advice they give about nutrition and management.

Did you know that EP's work with farriers as well. They are their to make the horses foot healthier whether it is shod or not.

 

[TiggerthePony]

My point exactly! And to be able to do remedial work a farrier needs to know the hoof inside out so therefore is as capable as a BF trimmer (more so i think) to be able to trim hooves properly as they are far more knowledgable. How can 6 weeks qualify you to be an 'expert' in hoof care?!

It can't and those sadly are the ones that give the good ones the bad rep! It frustrates me!

 

[Gimp]

you have to be carefull when chosing a barefoot trimmer as they only have to go on a short corse unlike a farrier who have to train for a few yrs(not sure how many yrs) i would always chose my farrier any day

I agree with this also.. Always research ( word of mouth is the best in the horseworld!) At least my barefoot lady hasnt thrown a rasp at my horses head yet!!! ( another story!!)

Bad and good farriers, same goes for barefoot trimmers

 

[TiggerthePony]

Sweeping statements like this should be backed up by information.

I have taken this from the EPAUK website about qualifying to become a trimmer.(http://www.eptrain.co.uk/)

"The course is aimed at those wishing to gain detailed, specialist knowledge of the equine foot, the factors which influence its health and the latest techniques in diagnosing and treating hoof pathologies. It is a two year, part time course which includes training from specialist experts in their fields covering farriery, veterinary science, research, nutrition and horse handling as well as mentoring and further training from experienced professional Equine Podiatrists."

There are courses that you can go on as a horse owner if you wish to trim your own horse that are shorter. But they do not qualify you to trim commercially.

Here is another statement from the EPAUK website concerning Industry Standards

"March 2009. The EPA welcomes the outcome of the Initial Consultation Meeting for the development of a National Occupational Standard (NOS) in Barefoot Trimming. The strong sense of unity amongst all barefoot trimming groups on the need to set formal standards at a high level is good news for equine welfare. The EPA will be represented on the working group set up to develop the NOS and will be working to ensure that the highest possible standard is set. "

They are a very professional body. I wouldnt allow anybody that hadnt come recommended, or that I had checked their training with their governing body, to do anything invasive to my horse. I chose a trimmer over a farrier because I appreciate the consultation time, the advice they give about nutrition and management.

Did you know that EP's work with farriers as well. They are their to make the horses foot healthier whether it is shod or not.

It's an EPAUK one I used the second time around (the one previously had done a 6 week course and was then out there charging - that was 3 years ago - and I didn't really know what I was looking for then though soon realised)!

I do like the fact they are neither for or against shoes, I was surprised when he told me that as I had assumed they wanted a horse barefoot, there are trimmers out there who are despearate for horses to be barefoot when they shouldn't be. EPAUK don't do that.

One of the girls in the big lami post has had an EPAUK out to her this week and he has been such a huge help and was there for 5 hours, he charged her £52 I think including supplements he gave her - not bad service if you ask me!!

 

[Gimp]

i find my trimmer looks at the whole horse inc movement etc.... 90% of the farriers i've had look just at the feet i'm not saying all farriers can't do a good trim - i just think that their speciality is shoes - whereas a trimmer's speciality is trims

I agree with this also, trotting my horse up.. walking him...

I have come across very few farriers who do this to date. How you can establish anything in a 5 mins trim is beyond me.

This is my Barefoot farrier I highly recommened her to anyone in the Northwest area. http://www.abihogghoofcare.co.uk/index.php

 

[learningcurve]

Why do people think farriers only know how to shoe and nothing about the whole horse.
My farrier was very supportive when I decided to try my daughters pony barefoot, pony has been barefoot for a year now.


When my barefoot shetland came down with lami I was glad to be on the books of a remedial farrier.

I honestly don't have an opinion on trimmers having never used one.

 

[Alexa&Tess]

I have never used a farrier so I cant say about having good or bad experience of them.