Help! What Am I Looking For?

I just realized that since I'm moving, I'll have to look for a good farrier ALL OVER AGAIN! Now, the way I looked for a farrier this last time, I didn't really like-too much trial and error and it wasn't good on my horse. So...is there any advice that you could give that would help me find a good one before they go "practicing" on my horse? Do you know some indicators I could look for? Anybody out there that lives around Portland, Oregon, that could recommend a good farrier?

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Permalink Reply by Geoffrey Pannell on April 29, 2009 at 6:07am

Hi Heidi, The best way is to ask around, the best farriers have the happiest clients. Ask the local feed store, the vet, people in different stables, and have a look at the hoofs of all the horses around you . In Australia we have an accreditation system , not all farriers are a part of it, so if there is something like that where you are I would find them and ask their advice as well . Cheers Geoffrey

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Permalink Reply by Heidi Jay on April 29, 2009 at 7:01pm

Awesome! Thanks for the help-now I've got some solid leads to work when I get up there. I really wish I didn't have to give up Orrin. He's probably been the best farrier I've had, and I've never met him. A couple of his other clients are the same way-one lady has been a client of his for 15 years, and has never laid eyes on him!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara Sky Horse on July 6, 2009 at 7:26pm

Sorry .... just came across this thread, and I'm curious Heidi, did you get moved Ok???
Are you settling in and finding all the "Horse" related services you need???
... *laughing* ...
I'm having a hard time getting my head around having a ferrier for 15 years, and Never having Met Him!!

I Really Like Geoffrey's advice!!! ... I'd be doing the same.
However .... if it were ME moving... as soon as got where ever I was going, I'd be looking for the nearest "Show Barn" ... and being the "shy" creature I am ... I'd ring them and ask for a "convenient" time to come get aquainted!!
Once there ... I'd check out their establishment ... their horses ...and if I were impressed that They Knew There Stuff ... I'd be honest and start picking their brain for all sorts of "local" info ... being careful not to take advantage of their time.
I've never met "REAL" horse folk ... who weren't Happy To Share info. and help where they could.
( and thinking about it ... here we are in the computer age ... I LOVE the search engines!! .. I think the Answer to Every single question We could think to ask ...CAN Be Found On Line!! ...lol )

~ Barby