Yes Folks, It Is Time.
Yet Another PSA! Has Arrived...
Today, we are going to talk scheduling. And WHY horses are set up for work on the following intervals:
- FOUR weeks for horses in rehab or transition periods. (Actually, some are seen weekly, then on a two to three week schedule for a limited time. The frequency in these cases is decided upon the severity of the pathology we are presented with.)
- SIX weeks for horses who are healthy, wearing their hooves well, and have no pathologies.
- EIGHT weeks for horses who are doing exceptionally well.
The reason for setting up the schedule like that is not so much to do with our wallets, although I will admit- knowing what you have lined up DOES provide some peace of mind- it has more to do with the health of the horses.
That's right- I said the health of the horses.
Remember that old saying that "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? It still holds true today folks. If you have a horse with problem feet, you can not expect them to get any better by putting the work off for a few weeks/ months. Just because you *think* they "look good" does NOT mean they ARE "good". One trim does NOT fix a pathology. One trim does NOT create the ideal healthy growth situation for hooves that have been severely overgrown.
Part Two of this scheduling debate:
Do NOT.
Under ANY circumstances.
Expect to get EXTRA WORK.
For the same (low) standard trim price.
Period.
What extra work, you ask? The extra work it takes to get the foot trimmed back to a reasonable balance. The extra work it takes to take two or three passes around the hoof with the nippers. The extra time that it takes to trim that horse to a comfortable level. If you keep your horse on a regular schedule- every six weeks is quite reasonable- the hooves don't present us with excessive overgrowth. (Surprise! Your HORSE will stay SOUND this way too. There's a SHOCKER.)
Not.
Gonna.
Happen.
Part THREE:
Do NOT also expect to call me, and cheerily say, "Oh, we had the horses out at the trainer's, and he said they were long. And since he does trimming too, we just had him trim them this time.... We'll see you for the next trim."
Uh- Exsqueeze Me?
Bouncing your horses back and forth between service providers Can Be A Very Bad Thing. Everyone has a different approach to "the ideal hoof", and it is not very often that you find two people who can work together to reach a common goal.
No, we don't claim "ownership" to the "right to trim" your horse. It's a free world, and you can make your own decisions as to their care. Just don't expect to call me in a few months time, and have me drop everything to come running to your aid to trim "just this once". That free choice? Works both ways.
For those of you who DO keep your horses on a routine schedule, I say THANK YOU. Our clients who keep a routine make our life easier. Their horses are good to work on, their feet are healthy, and they stay sound.
For those who have decided that horses only need hoof care when they are being worked, (read every six months whether they need it or not,) or *think* borderline pathological hooves "look good" from the top, I ask you to please- think about the health of your horse. Remember that saying of "No Hoof, No Horse." Learn what a HEALTHY hoof looks like. Think about the financial end of things: if you keep them on a routine schedule, you will SAVE in the long run.
There is more to this, but since I have not slept worth a tinker's damn in three nights, and feel pretty much like crap myself right now, I am going to quit here.
Just think about things folks. Be straight up with your hoof care provider. Take the time to surf the 'Net and LEARN something about hooves. Do your horses a favor. Do your trimmer's a favor. Keep them on a schedule.
And thus ends tonight's PSA.....
16 comments:
Oh so very true. Out here we go a little longer, depends of course on the horse, but they wear down good on this hard ground. Anywhere from 6-8 weeks is the norm. We LOVE people who are scheduled. Makes life so much easier.
I do these ponies and they hand walk them every day. I can tell when they have or haven't walked regularly, by the growth alone. If they've been walking twice a day, there isn't much hoof for me to take off. If the weather's been bad and they haven't walked, I take off a lot more.
Good post as always. Scheduling is important, and easy to do. Farriers love to work with people on that.
Good post...I do eight weeks. She has nice hard black hooves.
Back in my show horse days we were on a 6 week schedule. I need to get back into the swing of things. Not that I need 6 weeks anymore, but I'm sure my farrier would love if he could count on a regular schedule from me :)
We had both horses on a 4 week schedule for the first year and have just moved to 6 weeks between trims. It feels SO LONG to me -- I can't even imagine what 8 weeks would be like.
Easy way to make that routine happen? Schedule your next trimming/appointment at the current one. We've always done that and it works beautifully. Occassionally something comes up and we have to reschedule, but most of the time it works out just fine.
Ace's feet have been growing very slowly, so I've been waiting a little too long between trimmings. He's still sound and looking pretty good, but could use some shaping work for sure. Thanks for the kick in the pants Mrs Mom.
Do you notice any difference in hoof growth depending on the season? Slower in the winter, faster in the spring type of thing?
It's really convenient to know that the trimmer will be coming every six weeks as I can note the dates in my diary. Trying to get the work done ad-hoc would be far more awkward for all concerned.
When I rode more and had shod horses, four weeks was barely enough, given how fast the shoes wore out. The sheer number of nail holes in the hooves did cause problems with some horses.
Doru's hooves have just about grown new horn all the way down since he went barefoot, and I am interested to see how well they will last through the summer. His hooves are noticeably harder now and make a nice sound going down the road, like coconuts used in a theatre to make a "horse noise".
Yeah, we're on a 6 to 8 week schedule. And BTW, the hose on jet spray worked wonders, got that stuff in that crack real well! Thanks!
I was wondering about the hoof growth/season thing, too - I've noticed in the winter when the horses are up in the lot and don't get as much walking in, they don't wear as much (like Mikey say's, that makes sense). But is there anything seasonal about it? Do hooves grow a bit quicker in the spring & fall when they're putting on spring/fall coats, too? Or is it pretty much the same rate through the year?
Heeheehee!!!! I really enjoy your (or anyone else's) PSA's, but I always think of you when I hear that word! :)
Girl, you would love me as a client. I always say,"put me on the books." and our trimmer never does. We always have to call him. For some strange reason we can't get anyone to stay faithful with us. We pay, don't write bad checks, make sure hour horses stand well, have no problem drugging them if they are "bad", and we pay and want to be on a schedule. Oh, how I wished we lived closer, sigh.........
Oh and we have about 10 that are on a regular 6 week schedule and one that needs every four, so come one, we are good clients, I promise!!!
Oil changes and shoeing. Get 'er done.
:)
Good post - Stretch needs 5 weeks cause of the one foot, sometimes can go 6, but 5 is the best for him.
Pat can go 8 - he seems fairly low maintenance.
And you forgot-
3 weeks for horses in race training unless their footsies are perfect without issues.
Had to give ya my 2 cents.
Does that buy me a cuppa coffee?
LOL
We can go three months. My quarter horse runs on and wears on her feet very well and we have been fortunate that every farrier we have had says she has great hoofs every time they come out and need little attention. My Palomino and her baby gelding. TheY both seem to have their back hoofs wear exceptionally well with little grow by them walking/wearing the hoofs well with their front growth a little less wear down on their own. Again, I will take pics and do a post for opinions.
We do all our horses on a schedule that the farrier dictates to us.
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