Today was shoeing day. Maxx and Chris are on the same schedule - usually every five weeks. Our Everyday Farrier is Dave Hutchinson from Helping Hands Farm. Dave has been shoeing Maxx since I have owned him - 14 years now. I think in all that time Maxx threw a show once. The condition of his feet and overall comformation are definitely testiments to Dave's skills and attention all these years.
Chris has only had shoes on for the past two years. Dave was the first to put shoes on him and started him off with a lightweight eventer shoes with clips.
Dave has always been a team player when it comes to working with my vet. When Maxx was going through a very lame patch about five years ago - I formed Team Maxx - my vet and my farrier and my stable manager. Maxx's arthritis was really settling then. So with the expertise of Team Maxx, he has been holding stable and is enjoying his retirement now. We use Natural Balance shoes on Maxx to provide him with a stronger base to balance his weight and hopefully displace the surface area and give his arthritic knees some relief.
Dave has been a farrier for more than two decades. He's thorough and methodical. Horses absolutely respect him. During Chris' initial shoeing, Chris decided to show Dave who's boss. That behavior lasted about a nanosecond. Dave is also a low-tech kind of guy. When I worked for a cell phone provider I offered to get Dave a super-inexpensive phone plan and a free phone. He declined the offer. Dave prefers to call people on his own time. He always calls me back promptly when I leave a message on his answering machine. Which brings me to the second thing I love best about Dave - he is ALWAYS on time. We set the date and time and he is there without fail. I think in all the time that we have been a team, he has only rescheduled once and never has been late. I appreciate and respect this attribute! I am hoping that Dave might actually get Internet access now since he knows that I am writing about him today. If you are reading this Dave - welcome to the 21st century - now get a cell phone!
Dave's got a great sense of humor and each shoeing session is filled with stories and laughter. heck, even my husband likes to come around when Dave is at the barn. I think Dave enjoys the male bonding experience since he probably is used to having us barn women around more often than not.
Around this time of year, Dave and I have a discussion. Shall we pull the shoes on Maxx or not? Fall is typically a good time to take this action. Maxx is rarely ridden and is a barn pet at this point. My vet would like to see him barefoot. I certainly could use a bit less expense. Dave’s point of view is to leave him as is. Maxx is stable, old and happy and his feet are in great condition. Why make changes that might upset the whole scenario and cause him possible and considerable discomfort?
I wind up agreeing with Dave. When I factor in Maxx’s health and comfort, comfort wins. I welcome your comments on your everyday farrier and the topic of going shoeless.
Chris has only had shoes on for the past two years. Dave was the first to put shoes on him and started him off with a lightweight eventer shoes with clips.
Dave has always been a team player when it comes to working with my vet. When Maxx was going through a very lame patch about five years ago - I formed Team Maxx - my vet and my farrier and my stable manager. Maxx's arthritis was really settling then. So with the expertise of Team Maxx, he has been holding stable and is enjoying his retirement now. We use Natural Balance shoes on Maxx to provide him with a stronger base to balance his weight and hopefully displace the surface area and give his arthritic knees some relief.
Dave has been a farrier for more than two decades. He's thorough and methodical. Horses absolutely respect him. During Chris' initial shoeing, Chris decided to show Dave who's boss. That behavior lasted about a nanosecond. Dave is also a low-tech kind of guy. When I worked for a cell phone provider I offered to get Dave a super-inexpensive phone plan and a free phone. He declined the offer. Dave prefers to call people on his own time. He always calls me back promptly when I leave a message on his answering machine. Which brings me to the second thing I love best about Dave - he is ALWAYS on time. We set the date and time and he is there without fail. I think in all the time that we have been a team, he has only rescheduled once and never has been late. I appreciate and respect this attribute! I am hoping that Dave might actually get Internet access now since he knows that I am writing about him today. If you are reading this Dave - welcome to the 21st century - now get a cell phone!
Dave's got a great sense of humor and each shoeing session is filled with stories and laughter. heck, even my husband likes to come around when Dave is at the barn. I think Dave enjoys the male bonding experience since he probably is used to having us barn women around more often than not.
Around this time of year, Dave and I have a discussion. Shall we pull the shoes on Maxx or not? Fall is typically a good time to take this action. Maxx is rarely ridden and is a barn pet at this point. My vet would like to see him barefoot. I certainly could use a bit less expense. Dave’s point of view is to leave him as is. Maxx is stable, old and happy and his feet are in great condition. Why make changes that might upset the whole scenario and cause him possible and considerable discomfort?
I wind up agreeing with Dave. When I factor in Maxx’s health and comfort, comfort wins. I welcome your comments on your everyday farrier and the topic of going shoeless.
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