FARRIERS AND BAD HORSE BEHAVIOR

Lets Be Frank!! As farriers, we've all run across a horse whose behavior was so bad we would just like to shoot it! Sometimes its difficult for customers to understand how dangerous and unnerving vicious behavior can be. I've heard too many horror stories of horse shoers suffering head injuries. No one needs it!

If you're a shoer and you find yourself confronted by such behavior, you either do, or do not, know what to do. If you don't know what to do, don't feel embarrassed, and don't try to continue. You don't need to apologize; after all you are being hired to shoe, not to train. Simply refer your customer to a trainer who can correct the problem, or to another shoer who knows how to handle the problem, or find some help and then return to try to master the problem yourself.

I believe that most of us farriers, in addition to being specifically thought of as knowledgeable about horses feet, would like to be thought of in general as "savvy" or competent horsemen. In this regard I'm sure we would like to be able to handle at least the most common behavior problems that we could be expected to run across in handling horses' feet.

Fortunately, the most common horse behavior problems that occur during shoeing are the easiest to correct. They are NIPPING, LEANING, NOT YIELDING A FOOT, TAKING A FOOT BACK & NOT STANDING STILL. Every farrier should be able to handle these as a matter of course, and unless they are severe and require significant extra time, should not charge for doing so. What should not be done is to put up with such behavior.

The really bad problems are: STRIKING, KICKING AND REARING. Although they may range in severity, curing these behaviors requires caution, cool, and some handling and training expertise. The average farrier shoer should not be expected to handle these vices. On the other hand, if you would like to get involved on this more serious level of Corrective Training and handle these more extreme problems, it may well be worth your trouble. For one thing, as you well know, other shoers will send you their customers whose horses they couldn't handle.

Not only will this increase your income by increasing the number of shoeing customers you will have, but you will have a second source of income for the corrective behavior training you give. However far you choose to go in developing your skill to solve horse behavior problems that occur during trimming and shoeing, I truly believe my book will prove to be a solid companion and I encourage you to click here to get your copy now: "No Feet No Horse"

For what is perhaps the outstanding resource for horseshoers on the web, I encourage you to check out - - - The Webs' largest, most comprehensive Site devoted to farriery, hoofcare and blacksmithing. Just click here: The Farriers & Hoofcare Resource Center Co-Op

Here's To Your Safe and Successful Trimming and Shoeing!!!