Al lickfeldt Farrier FAQ

Al lickfeldt Farrier Services

Welcome to my little spot on the web that will help you to understand the Farrier and the service's we offers. A Mid-Michigan based service serving Livingston County, Shiawassee County and parts of Oakland County. 517.625.8387

Most horse-owners’ inquiries about farrier service take place over the phone. The horse owner may have heard of the farrier through a friend, magazine ad or even met the prospective farrier at a local horse show. Setting an appointment is usually a matter of scheduling a mutually suitable time and date.

When inquiring about the services of the farrier, certain terms will be used that may be unfamiliar to you as a horse owner. Knowing these terms in advance saves time and allows for important information to be mutually understood.

Let’s start with horseshoes. Two horseshoes, either two front shoes or two hind shoes, are referred to as a pair. Four horseshoes on the same horse (two front and two hind) are referred to as a set. A reset is, when the existing pair or set of shoes is pulled off, the foot is trimmed and balanced and the same shoes are then nailed on again. When the horseshoes have worn about half the thickness of the shoe, the horse requires new shoes. Resets and new shoes are put on in either sets or pairs. This is to ensure that hoof length and shoe wear is equal in the pairs of feet. Differences within pairs of feet can throw off the horse’s gait.

Most farriers use a combination of hot shoeing and cold shoeing to service their varied clientele. Hot shoers use a forge and anvil to hot shape shoes to fit the foot and to forge clips and other modifications.

The use of a forge also allows the farrier to do hot fittings. This is when the farrier will set the leveled hot shoe on the hoof and sear out any minute high spots allowing for a perfect union between the shoe and the foot. Hot fittings allow the farrier to seat clips into the hoof with greater efficiency and effect. Cold shoers shape the shoe to the foot without the addition of heat. Cold fitting is the leveling of the hoof and shoe without heat.

A few other terms that you should know relate to the style of shoeing the horseshoer offers. Some horses require special shoeing. Shoeing and trimming to assist the horse’s movement or stance is known as corrective shoeing. It can also be referred to as correction. In conjunction with a veterinarian, shoeing and trimming can also be used to remedy certain diseases and injuries to the foot and leg. This is called pathological shoeing or therapeutic shoeing.

With this terminology under your belt, it is time to organize pertinent information about the horse(s) requiring attention. The usual information needed will be your name, address, phone number, the location of the horse(s) and the type of services required. Some other information that may be asked for is:

Item of Information Reason

Phone Number: 517.625.8387

Identification of the horse(s): Name, Colour, Sex and Markings. This is particularly useful if your horse is kept at a large boarding facility and you will not be in attendance.

Age: This is more important than it sounds. Foals and older horses usually require more time to shoe or trim.

Breed: This gives the farrier some idea about the horse’s size, temperament, and hoof type shape and size.

Past Behavioral, Pathological, or Corrective Measures: The farrier should be aware of any of these past problems. It will allow for a realistic time estimate and possible special shoeing measures.

Payment: Most farriers require payment when the work is done. The method of payment should be agreed upon before the appointment. Some farriers do not accept checks on first appointments. Some farriers accept credit cards!

A good shoeing or trimming job is a joint effort on the part of the farrier, horse and owner. For the farrier to do his or her level best, certain owner responsibilities should be met. The farrier, first of all, will need to get his shoeing rig as close as possible to the work area. The shorter the trip to the anvil, the shorter time the horse is in the cross-ties. In the winter, this means that snow should be cleared before that farrier arrives. The work area should be well lit, fairly level and spacious to allow for the horse’s movement. Cross-ties are used for most horses. If the horse is fidgeting, the farrier may ask that the horse be held by a handler (which is usually the owner).

Before the farrier arrives, the horse(s) should be caught, their hooves picked out and any mud brushed off their legs. This will allow the farrier to get to work quickly.

Horses with behavioral problems are the horse owner’s responsibility. If your horse bites, kicks or throws its head, it can be dangerous for both you and the farrier. Problem horses take more time to service and can be a source of aggravation. Between visits these horses should be worked with often to make it safer for the horse and it’s handlers.

Another point should be made here as well. If an appointment has been arranged for two horses, do not bring out a third horse to be serviced without calling in advance. The farrier has planned the day’s route and schedule according to the number of horses expected. The extra horse may cause the farrier to be late for their next client (which could be you!)

Using standard vocabulary, giving clear instructions and knowing owner responsibilities will aid communication between you and your farrier. With these principles, the farrier’s visit will go smoothly and so will your equine athlete.

Item of Information	Reason
Phone Number:	517.625.8387
Identification of the horse(s): Name, Colour, Sex and Markings.	This is particularly useful if your horse is kept at a large boarding facility and you will not be in attendance.
Age:	This is more important than it sounds. Foals and older horses usually require more time to shoe or trim.
Breed:	This gives the farrier some idea about the horse’s size, temperament, and hoof type shape and size.
Past Behavioral, Pathological, or Corrective Measures:	The farrier should be aware of any of these past problems. It will allow for a realistic time estimate and possible special shoeing measures.
Payment:	Most farriers require payment when the work is done. The method of payment should be agreed upon before the appointment. Some farriers do not accept checks on first appointments. Some farriers accept credit cards!