| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
|
Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Jan 2011 : 9:37:41 PM
|
As I work through sorting Po one of the things the kinesiologist wanted was shoes off and get a barefoot trimmer who was more 'specialist' to address the changes that would be taking place in Po.
With one thing and another the barefoot trimmer has only given her one trim, which I was pleased with, but not the cost I admit. But as he hasn't been back due to the weather I had to get my old farrier today to trim them, which I was pleased with, and the cost!
It's got me thinking and please excuse my ignorance but what is better about a barefoot trimmer? I don't mean to be rude or upset anyone, I just genuinely don't know how or why they would be better to address the foot than a farrier?
I'm hoping to get another barefoot trimmer booked for the next trim and he is a farrier turned barefoot trimmer and trained with Jaime Jackson whom I'm assured is the guru of horses feet. I'll keep an open mind to it all but would just love know more and your opinions/experiences of this.
Fee
PS Sorry if this offends but I should add that the other barefoot trimmer, who trimmed her once, was also a qualified farrier turned barefoot trimmer as I'd never let anyone near my horses feet who had just attended barefoot courses, too risky imo. I want and need to know they have that foundation and expertise behind them.
|
    |
|
Report to moderator
|
|
|
Cinnypony
Gold Member
1160 Posts |
|
|
Qui Gon Jinn
Platinum Member
Scotland
1627 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2011 : 10:49:35 PM
|
I'm with you Fee! The cost of a barefoot trimmer is rediculous in comparision to what my farrier charges.
When I used one in the past, she was coming every 4 weeks to me and charging me £35!! My farrier on the other hand is every 8 weeks and charges me £20......quite a difference.
There will be lots of folks who prefer Trimmers to Farriers, but personally I wouldn't use a Trimmer again and not just because of the cost involved! |
The Soul would have no Rainbow....If the Eyes had shed no Tears. |
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
lehla
Silver Member
United Kingdom
336 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2011 : 11:07:18 PM
|
hi there fee there is a lady on here that is very knowledable on barefoot trimming im sure she also trained with jamie jackson i think a couple of us maybe more on this site have her to do our horses send her a pm im sure she could answer any questions you may have hope this helps lehla
|
  |
Edited by - lehla on 14 Jan 2011 11:28:13 PM |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Cinnypony
Gold Member
1160 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2011 : 11:14:26 PM
|
What I have found as the difference between a good trimmer and a bad (expensive £50 a visit trimmer) i shat a good trimmer will will not only trim your horses hooves, but train you how to maintain them inbetween so the visits may stretch a little further, plus they will know about nutrition and environment as well, because as you'll know the trim is only 10-15% of the barefoot story.
Good luck! |
    
Cinnabar Moth --------------- -----------CF Matilda ----Red House Gaia
Susi
https://www.facebook.com/CinnabarEndurance/ |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Rui
AL Admin
6761 Posts |
|
|
Patriot
Bronze Member
USA
77 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2011 : 05:26:47 AM
|
| My farrier has always trimmed my barefoot boy. Sorry for my ignorance, but what is the difference between a farrier and a barefoot trimmer? |
     |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
jillandlomond
Platinum Member
Scotland
3586 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2011 : 07:47:30 AM
|
I think you're right to be cautious of using a trimmer who's just been on one of these courses Fee. I've watched a couple of friend's horses lamed by one such person She charged £40 per visit and insisted the horses must be trimmed every 4 weeks.
Out of curiosity, I decided to watch what all the fuss was about. She literally ****ed about with a wee file, lightly rubbing here and there and took ages to get the "job" done (I suspect she was deliberately killing time to try to justify the extorinate charge).
One of my friends eventually seen the light (the same one that had also been brainwashed by Parelli incidentally) and got my farrier to do her horses. He was appalled at the mess the trimmer was making... the foot was not balanced correctly at all. Neither wonder her horse was lame!!
My other friend's horse has seedy toe, and the same barefoot trimmer advised her to put loads of pea gravel down in front of her stables. Her horse has had seedy toe for the 2 years that this trimmer has been attending to her and she's apparently working hard to sort the problem??
If you've got a good farrier, keep hold of him with both hands! £20 per trim is plenty to be paying |
    
Borders, Scotland |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2011 : 08:46:24 AM
|
Thanks for the replies guys
Originally posted by lehla
hi there fee there is a lady on here that is very knowledable on barefoot trimming im sure she also trained with jamie jackson i think a couple of us maybe more on this site have her to do our horses send her a pm im sure she could answer any questions you may have hope this helps lehla
Hi lehla, hopefully this lady will answer the question of how and why should I use a barefoot trimmer as opposed to a farrier? What do they do that's different and better?
Again I want to stress I'm in no camp at the moment, open minded and only want the best for my horses. I'm just a questioner and want and like to know, be clear about why I chose, use or do something.
Fee
|
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2011 : 10:02:19 AM
|
Hi Fee,
I can recommend a good book that will answer all your questions....It's called Feet First and is by Nic Barker & Sarah Braithwaite.
Even if you don't go down the barefoot route, it makes interesting reading.
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
loosefur
Gold Member
584 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2011 : 11:14:36 AM
|
Hi Fee
I know the trimmer who came out to you, Nick - I trained with him amongst others (inc Jaime Jackson). He's an excellent trimmer and has saved many horses written off by vets and farriers, so I would advise you to stick with him.
Re what are the differences between a farrier trim and a barefoot trim - it's impossible to answer because on the farrier side it depends on the individual farrier. I have seen farriers do great trims and farriers who do dreadful trims. Same can be said for barefoot trimmers too - you shouldn't judge all of them by an experience with one.
The main advantage of using a trimmer over a farrier is that they are specialists in hard working barefoot horses, whereas most farriers will only usually have barefoot horse clients that are resting or in light work. There are still far too many farriers who don't accept that you can work a horse hard without shoes - I don't blame them, you need to see it to believe it. And barefoot trimmers see it every day. As has already been mentioned in this thread the trim whilst hugely important to get right and the foot correctly balanced, is only part of the story of successful barefooting. Diet is a massive part of it and IMO at least farriers don't have the info needed. As an example I have a livery who is shod (shoes will be coming off in the spring fingers crossed). This gelding has had terrible feet his whole life, chronic white line disease that has never been conquered. His hoof wall has always been so crumbly that the farrier has always had to use apoxy resin to make up artificial hoof wall so he has something to nail to. Farrier is very experienced and well respected and a nice bloke to boot. As soon as the gelding came to me on livery I got his owner to change his diet and cut out feeds containing molasses. So since middle of November he has been on a no cereal, low starch/low sugar diet. Farrier came to shoe him yesterday and was amazed when he saw his feet - his words to me were 'You've fixed him. How on earth have you done it?' No apoxy resin needed for the first time since anyone can remember. My answer to him was just diet. Now why didn't the farrier know this already? Why hadn't he advised the owner to change to unmolassed horse feeds? Why was he so surprised that a simple change of diet has made such a huge difference to this horse's hooves? Not the farrier's fault, just a lack of training in correct nutrition. So if your farrier hasn't got the info himself about optimum diet for healthy hooves how can he pass it onto you?
The trim we do at the AANHCP is based on mimicing the wild horse hoof - much research has gone into this very natural, completely non-invasive trim. If you google AANHCP you will find our website... plenty of information on there. Jaime Jackson introduced the mustang roll to trimming circles which is crucial to any good barefoot trim - I've seen some farriers do a mustang roll and others who don't. You also don't want anyone over thinning the hoof wall - some farriers will rasp the hoof wall away at the toe to shorten (improve) break over, but this shouldn't be done as it weakens the hoof structure. But again some farriers won't. It's a bit pot luck really. With a Certified Practitioner under the AANHCP banner you know exactly what our trim involves, what our guidelines are and our ethical code. You know exactly what you're going to get. And as I said Nick is a brilliant trimmer and your horse will thank you for using him  |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2011 : 11:48:08 AM
|
Thank you loosefur for that detailed post, that really helps explain things for me Diet wise the kinesiologist is taking care of that and like you say it's all very high fibre, minerals and vits. I'm learning such a lot from her. Not that I was a cereal, molasses, sugar feeder before I hasten to add.
The trimmer she wanted for Po wasn't Nick, but he was also trained with Jamie Jackson I believe? I think he was and is good, that's not the issue, the issue for me was why and it was also an issue for him getting to me as I'm outwith his route. Hopefully you've helped me with the 'why' part and then I can get reading to really digest and understand barefoot. Like I said I'm in neither camp but if I had to choose I would like to do everything I want to do on my horse with them being barefoot.
I've spoken to Nick and he's coming out in 5 or 6 weeks to do the next trim and hopefully all subsequent ones and no doubt I'll ask him more questions Thanks again.
Thanks for the book recommendation Lisa
Fee
|
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
T42
Bronze Member
England
215 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2011 : 8:04:51 PM
|
| I feel I must defend farriers. Mine has barefoot horses competing up to 35 miles. He'll advise on diet & management if you ask, but does not see it as his place to comment unless asked. He reckons it can take up to 2 years for a horse to get used to working barefoot. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
daintyarabs
New Member
21 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2011 : 11:40:14 PM
|
| Agree with T42 completely, this is part of the reason why I won't ever use a trimmer again. I used one for a while several years ago but found the whole experience stressful every time she came out. Each horse took an hour plus to trim, they became bored and anxious and began to misbehave despite being brilliant with the farrier previously. With several horses to trim it meant taking a full days leave from work because she took so long.I also resented the constant plugging of certain feeds and supplements that I suspect she got commission for, after hearing it so many times I went back to using a farrier. I think as an owner it is my job to research and find the best way to feed my horses, I have always done this and they all have excellent condition from head to toe, they are all unshod and all fully sound. My horses have excellent feet, the farrier trims them well and checks they are balanced, they are all fed on a forage based diet with no cereals, why would I need to allow someone who is unqualified near them who tried to make me feel like a bad owner for not feeding what she wanted when dietery changes were not needed! |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2011 : 07:58:11 AM
|
I too have experienced bad and good in both trimmers and farriers, pretty normal I guess, as there's good and bad in every profession. It's what works for you. Like I said in my first post I'd never let anyone without the farrier qualification work on my horses feet, that's just my personal stand through experience. I've been asked to use a barefoot trimmer and I just have to question why and learn. If I think it will be for the better for my horse then I'll go down that route, if not I'm perfectly happy getting my farrier. Thanks for all the replies folks
Fee |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
| |
Topic |
|
Barefoot trimmers
