FARRIER CHECK LIST

Over the years; starting with six horses and "growing" a herd to over one hundred horses I have learned how to co-operate with Farriers, so they will actually return for more!
Standing on their heads, under horses, whacking away at them with hammer and nails just truly needs all the appreciation and assistance a Cowhand can offer!  A cup of coffee and a few chuckles goes a long way on 'points' too!
The first Farrier I learned from was a fellow named James; he was about 5'5" and STRONG.  He roamed around the pack ranches shoeing strings of pack horses and hunting rentals; he could cold-shoe 25 head in a long day.  He had zero tolerance, if the horse 'fussed' he simply pulled the shoes, trimmed and quit on that one.
The second farm Farrier was a guy name Charles (all the Farriers I have worked with had really classical cowboy names, odd but true).  He was also not too tall and could have pumped iron really easily, or throw a horse if he chose.  His discipline manner was unique; he actually tied up a front leg and then held up the leg he was shoeing!  He was completely silent at his work except for small 'kissy' sounds to the horse if it moved about.  If the horse contined to 'fuss' he just stepped back and let it fall down, if it chose.  Most of them became really quiet for him.
The next man in line was Robert (see?) who was the tallest Farrier of the whole group of these smiths.  He walked about with the horse on a lead, checking and looking at the legs and feet, then he asked his apprentice to trot the horse and finally to canter it on a long line.  If the horse had more energy than he wanted to work with, the Apprentice leaped on bareback and rode about in the corral until Robert finished another horse.
There were more farriers, of course:  hot-shoers, cold-shoers, trimmers of foals, half shoers and even corrective veterinarian/farriers--the one common thing they required was: a quiet horse. Of course, not one of them expected to chase a horse to catch!
They also expected clean and not-wet legs and feet.  If the horse wasn't trained to handle, they rejected it until it was trained; if the horse wouldn't lunge, rejected;  got rough, you got it--later, Dude!
Not one of them refused to work on the first horse without charge to show me how he worked and what he knew and if we could form a partnership.  If they had a temper which showed up we agreed to pay and dismiss him from more service.
There was one woman Farrier who did nothing but Foals (the most dangerous horses on the ranch in my opinion) and she worked for over six years before moving away to her own smithing shop.
Most of the Farriers we worked with were trained by an older Farrier and had served Apprenticeships; they were decent and polite; they wanted my check to clear that night and they were Angels in Disguise!  PHF