[I feel jipped] Here's the deal...

[Annie&Dixie]

There were two things yesterday that happened, both of them full out suck.

Dixie's feet were done on Tuesday. Yesterday when I went to go see her, she could barely walk into the barn, she was sore on both of her front feet. Granted I just had her shoes taken off but she has good feet and has been barefoot for years before. My now former farrier had been known to cut too much off but I had never had a problem until today. The thing is, he knows it, people have made it clear. Heck, they've went off to him about their horses. It's easy though to have him because he comes regulary to the barn. The backs are fine but I guess he cuts too much off of the bottom on the fronts, I think that's what I remember hearing. I really need to learn more about hooves soon when I get the time, I don't know much, luckily the people at my barn do :)

So Dixie is inside right comfortable in a stall. I felt so bad for her, the ground outside is so hard right now! She'll be in until tomorrow, unless she doesn't get any better. I will also be using a different farrier next time who also comes to the barn regulary, I can't do this every 8 weeks. It's not fair to her either to have good feet and then still end up hurting and limping every 8 weeks.

The other thing is her blanket. I think most of you know the story. I found it out in the middle of the pasture with two holes, all but one leg strap gone, etc. Well I finally called Schneider's Customer Service and I feel screwed. I put up a fight but there's only so much that you can do. I ended up paying $54 for a new better quality blanket with free shipping. They gave me a $30 refund and apparently the blanket that I got only had a 30 day guarantee, I was sure it was 1-2 warranty. This new blanket has a one year guarantee. I just hope that I don't have any other problems. I also got a size smaller because that one that she had on was big for her. Maybe if Blue, her pasture-mate, is tearing off her blanket, I'm wondering if since it was a bit loose that he had the urge to mess with it more. Who knows.

I didn't want to spend anymore money!!! Aaaaahhh!

Ok, breathe in. Breathe out.

I think I'm good now.

[Piper522]

You know better than to use that farrier little Annie. :) See if Carol can get Jonathan to do her feet. He is really awesome. I am assuming all the horses had their feet done so now I wonder if my wonderful Deed is sore too! (I miss that horse.) Keep Dixie in as long as you can!

That sucks about the blanket. Customer service is horrible anymore.....hang in there!~

[Annie&Dixie]

Yup, it was Carl. Dixie has been done by him for the past few years. She hasn't had any problems recently because she's had shoes. Now it wouldn't be so bad if she was just a little bit sore but she wasn't, she could barely walk. And yes, Johnathon will be doing her feet next time.

[Arrow]

Sorry for the frustrations!:) I just got a blanket from Schneiders, uh oh--hope it's o.k.!

[cloedoll]

Awe, I'm sorry Annie. :( I think you are doing the right thing by getting a different farrier, it's not your job to tell him how to do his job constantly. I know you should let your farrier know if your horse is sore after a trim or whatever, but if you are telling him all the time, after every trim and so are others, obviously the guy doesn't care too much. So I am sorry for that, I hope the guy gets a clue, but yeah, very glad you are doing what is best for your horsey. (:

As for the blanket, that really stinks! I hope your new one is as good as it claims to be.

[JennyandJosey]

It's can be tough finding a good farrier that you can trust. I'm on my 3rd farrier and am thankful to have a good one. I hope her feet feel betters oon!

[ImaBronsonBear]

I too know about the farrier hassle. But for me, it's even harder because i'm in the middle of nowhere with only one horse to shoe.:( Currently on my 3rd, but i hope he's my last because i really really like his work.

Let's hope Dixie is all better by tomorrow!

[WashingtonBay]

I'm most sorry about her feet. If she's still very sore today, I'd recommend taking some pictures and getting some expert opinion on them for the short term because it can be quite serious if they are extraordinarily short, they can founder, and you might want to put her in some foam or pads, pronto. I say this because you describe her as barely able to walk. That's a bigger deal than just a little tender.



As for the blanket, I dunno. I'm not sure what happened there, but if all the straps were torn off, unless you are suggesting they simply came unsewed, it means she was hung up in a major way probably because the belly straps were too loose, and you're much better off having it rip and come off than just trap her like that. You WANT the straps to break if they get hung up, you don't want them to just remain stuck.

So I'm not convinced it's a defect in the blanket. I've never considered getting a refund on a blanket that had torn straps, I've considered myself lucky.

Snug up those belly straps.... if they're loose and hanging down, it's real easy for them to get a back leg stuck in them when they lay down or roll.

[cloedoll]

Huh, good point, WashingtonBay!

[FatSpottedAppy]

I'm really sorry, Annie. Has this happened to Dixie before? And does it happen to the other horses around the barn often? You definitely made the right choice by throwing his butt out the window and turning to a new farrier for Dixie.

The blanket thing sucks just as bad, too. I guess the $30.00 discount is better than nothing, though.

Hope you and Dixie get feeling better soon. :(

[elevenelevenxo]

Annie, try giving Aidan McFall a shot if you don't have anyone else. She's out of Sunbury and while I'm not sure if she's taking new clients anymore, I was able to have her do my mare's feet when I had her and she did a phenomenal job. My mare was a TWH and the previous owners believed the stupid myth that if their toes are kept longer, they'll gait better (stupid stupid stupid and it's a wonder she wasn't lame)....so her feet were awful.

Aidan is a barefoot trimmer - she came highly recommended to me and I highly recommend her to anyone else. :) Her e-mail is mcfallaidan6@gmail.com.

[grandmadeb]

So sorry about her feet and I hope she is feeling better soon.
The first blanket we ever bought was a high neck turnout from State Line Tack. He wore it twice before ripping it to shreds. We got up to the barn and the dang thing was just hanging off him. The other horses really did a number on it and I'm sure he helped them. It is depressing to spend the money and have it destroyed, though.

[Flair]

Finding the right farrier can be tricky. I don't use the guy I used for Flair anymore because his tendency 90% of the time is to slap a shoe on a horse (low heels... put a shoe on!) without really working with the owner and explaining the details to them. I even tried talking to him about Flair going barefoot because the old guy never left the barn, and was ridden maybe 1 or 2 times a week. Never did talk to me about that. Ever. He just kept putting fronts on.

I really like the gal who's trimming Mitch now. She came highly recommended by friends, and she's done a fabulous job. The first time after she pulled his shoes, she left his feet a little long and made a couple of repeat trips to take off the rest so he was sound and clean the whole time.

I hope you can find a good trimmer or farrier for Annie's feet. No horse should ever hurt and limp after a good trim job. If they do, then the person did it wrong.

Bummer about the blanket too. Hope the new one holds up better.

[jeezitsjacki]

sorry about the farrier.. that can be very frustrating. I hope the new blanket works out

[GrungeEquestrian]

I am sorry Annie that really sucks. That is usually the thing about our local farriers...its either too short or too long. Its hard to find a farrier around my area that has a happy medium. Thats why I like my farrier...even though he is a bit pricey he does it right. The last time I had a different farrier because my didn't have any close openings. He hardly took over anything and she needed another tirm in 2 weeks.

On the blanket that sucks too. At least you got some discount, what type did you end up getting?

[JackieB]

Sorry, Annie. Live and learn. This kind of thing happens to all of us now and then.

My farrier used to make Buster sore regularly. He said Buster was just an "ouchy" horse and I didn't know better. The fact was that he was cutting a lot of live sole off at the toe with each trim, and cutting into live sole generally speaking as well. The last time, I couldn't ride Buster for a month and it was right in the middle of the summer. I trim him myself now. If you take photos, we might be able to help determine what happened.

As for the blanket, getting $30 back might not be bad. One of the reasons why I go for quality on some things like that (a $250 Weatherbeeta, for example) is because I get so frustrated when I buy something new and it falls apart. Some things are no big deal (a cheap hoofpick, for example), but a blanket for outdoor in the winter is an investment. Hopefully the new one will work well.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Awe, Annie, that sucks!:( I hope Dixie feels better soon, poor girl. Finding a good farrier can be really difficult and definately not fun.:doh: I'm really happy with the guy I have now, he's great with the horses and does an awesome job. His one fault though is not showing up when he's supposed to (he's only done it once to me so far, but he apparently has a reputation for doing that).:innocent:


That also sucks about the blanket.:doh: What kind are you going to get her now? I've had really good luck with the Saxon medium weight (1200D) blankets, and they aren't too crazy exepensive. I think I got mine for $65? $69? on sale. I think they're usually $79, or something like that. Free shipping too, so that's always good. Dakota is on his second year with no big rips or tears, etc. Actually this is Beauty's second winter with hers too, although I didn't buy it for her until February or early March, so she only wore hers for a month or two last year. But still.

On a different note, I'm in the mood to talk so if you feel like chatting, I'll be getting on AIM soon.:D

[Remali]

I went thru that with a farrier I had many years ago....I never got him again. There is no excuse for trimming them so short. Would a little bute make Dixie more comfortable?

[mandisue]

It always feels better to vent!

[Joey A]

I'm most sorry about her feet. If she's still very sore today, I'd recommend taking some pictures and getting some expert opinion on them for the short term because it can be quite serious if they are extraordinarily short, they can founder, and you might want to put her in some foam or pads, pronto. I say this because you describe her as barely able to walk. That's a bigger deal than just a little tender.


Yeah, get her in some support foam. Lowes sells it, it's just insulation foam. Other types of foam stuff will work too just so long as it compresses and dosen't spring back. I've heard tell of foam garden knee pads etc.

It's good stuff to have around anyhow, I get a sheet of 4" x 8" x 1" for around $11.

[42many]

Putting a hoof-hardening liquid on it and wrapping it up with some sort of soft support (boot, foam, diaper, etc) should definitely help.

[starkitten]

Annie, try giving Aidan McFall a shot if you don't have anyone else. She's out of Sunbury and while I'm not sure if she's taking new clients anymore, I was able to have her do my mare's feet when I had her and she did a phenomenal job. My mare was a TWH and the previous owners believed the stupid myth that if their toes are kept longer, they'll gait better (stupid stupid stupid and it's a wonder she wasn't lame)....so her feet were awful.

Aidan is a barefoot trimmer - she came highly recommended to me and I highly recommend her to anyone else. :) Her e-mail is mcfallaidan6@gmail.com.

You too ;) My TWH always had long toes and I always thought they looked different then any other horses, but as a new horse owner was convinced that was the way to go - whatever. I finally got educated and found a wonderful farrier - she is so good with the horses - takes so much time with him and his feet finally look somewhat normal - we have a little bit to go yet. He always had a bad front leg(had xrays and all that - bone spurs) but he has actually started to put more weight on it lately - I know he will never be perfect, but he is happier :)

[lisakaye]

I am sorry to hear about you farrier . I hope Dixie is better tomorrow or I would be calling him screaming mad and have him come correct it with boots or something at HIS expense..

[Annie&Dixie]

Thank you everybody for all of your replies, I'm going to try to answer everybody's questions and concerns!! Mandisue, you're right! It is always good to vent, I feel soooo much better. Actually, on my way home from my barn, I called my dad, mom, and a friend...I had a lot of venting to do.

I say this because you describe her as barely able to walk. That's a bigger deal than just a little tender.

I'm sorry WB, I over exaggerated...I was more than a little upset at the time. I would definitely describe her as just being tender right now. She could walk ok and she had made it out to the middle of the field when she was outside and also nobody noticed anything wrong with her on Wednesday or Thursday so she's not as bad as I'm describing. I just hate seeing her in the least bit of pain. But yeah, she's definitely tender.

As for the blanket, I dunno. I'm not sure what happened there, but if all the straps were torn off, unless you are suggesting they simply came unsewed, it means she was hung up in a major way probably because the belly straps were too loose, and you're much better off having it rip and come off than just trap her like that. You WANT the straps to break if they get hung up, you don't want them to just remain stuck.

So I'm not convinced it's a defect in the blanket. I've never considered getting a refund on a blanket that had torn straps, I've considered myself lucky.

The blanket had three holes, one all the way through, one only through the top layer, and one only through the bottom layer. The thing is, Dixie is super easy on her blankets. She barely even rolls! All of last year, she wore a blanket in the same pasture and never came in with any problems. I don't know what she could have gotten herself caught on that she hadn't before (i.e. coming in with scrapes, etc.). And as for the belly and leg straps; all snug.

I'm really sorry, Annie. Has this happened to Dixie before? And does it happen to the other horses around the barn often? You definitely made the right choice by throwing his butt out the window and turning to a new farrier for Dixie.

Nope, hasn't happened to Dixie before, she's had shoes on though which is partly why I kept her with him, he doesn't screw up the horses with shoes and even before then though we didn't have much trouble at all or at least nothing I knew about. He does do other horse and they're often sore too. I've been planning on switching Dixie once she got her shoes off anyways, I just had hoped the last trim wouldn't be this bad.

Aidan is a barefoot trimmer - she came highly recommended to me and I highly recommend her to anyone else. Her e-mail is mcfallaidan6@gmail.com.

Thank you for the recommendation but I already have a great farrier who comes regulary at the barn to switch to. :)

It is depressing to spend the money and have it destroyed, though.

Yes, it is indeed. Especially for somebody who is a student in high school still, only works 16 hours a week, and supports her horse and car :rolleyes:

On the blanket that sucks too. At least you got some discount, what type did you end up getting?

I ended up getting the Stormshield Euro Classic, it's supposed to be the next step up.

The fact was that he was cutting a lot of live sole off at the toe with each trim, and cutting into live sole generally speaking as well.

I think this is what the farrier does.

That also sucks about the blanket. What kind are you going to get her now? I've had really good luck with the Saxon medium weight (1200D) blankets, and they aren't too crazy exepensive. I think I got mine for $65? $69? on sale. I think they're usually $79, or something like that. Free shipping too, so that's always good. Dakota is on his second year with no big rips or tears, etc. Actually this is Beauty's second winter with hers too, although I didn't buy it for her until February or early March, so she only wore hers for a month or two last year. But still.

On a different note, I'm in the mood to talk so if you feel like chatting, I'll be getting on AIM soon.

I'm getting the Stormshield Euro Classic...I would have loved to get the Saxon but I didn't think they came in sheets. I really only need to get a sheet for Dixie, she gets a thick coat and that's all she really needs.

I probably won't make it on AIM tonight, I'm so tired from my 8 1/2 hour shift at work! I'll talk to you hopefully this week though!

I went thru that with a farrier I had many years ago....I never got him again. There is no excuse for trimming them so short. Would a little bute make Dixie more comfortable?

I was thinking about some bute but she seemed more than fine in the stall, she got much happier and content. I will if she's still hurting tomorrow.

Yeah, get her in some support foam. Lowes sells it, it's just insulation foam. Other types of foam stuff will work too just so long as it compresses and dosen't spring back. I've heard tell of foam garden knee pads etc.

It's good stuff to have around anyhow, I get a sheet of 4" x 8" x 1" for around $11.

Now what exactly would I do with this? Please explain, it sounds like a thing I should know anyways!

[Me'N'Chic]

Aww poor Dixie! I hope she is feeling better today! The frozen ground doesn't help any! We just had the farrier come out here a couple weeks ago--Sony had her shoes removed also. She still acts like she can barely walk on the frozen ruts--I have heard it can be a BIG adjustment for some horses when the shoes are pulled -- is that true?

[Joey A]

Here's a link for the styrofoam protocol.
http://www.hopeforsoundness.com/miscfiles/sty_inst.pdf

[Annie&Dixie]

Ok, update everybody! She was doing much better today, her left front was still sore and she was limping but it was much much better...I think I'll be turning her out tomorrow.


Mary - I think that can definitely be true but I don't know. Dixie was barefoot before for a while, did just fine, and then only had front shoes on from June to now.

WF - Thank you for the link!