When horse owners were recently surveyed regarding their thoughts on farriers and footcare, most spoke very highly of their farriers. But as you would imagine, many differing opinions were expressed.

Plenty of valuable information from this electronic survey of owners that can help you work more effectively with clients is found in the analysis by AFJ Managing Editor Pat Tearney on Pages 18 to 22. In addition, we’ll be following up with more information from this owner survey in the December issue.

Barefoot Vs. Hoof Protection

It was interesting to read over many of the opinions regarding the pros and cons of barefoot vs. shod horses.

Several owners expressed concerns about the fact that their farrier wasn’t attuned to treating horses more naturally.

At the same time, other owners indicated they didn’t want to listen to their farrier taking about the pros and cons of natural or barefoot trimming.

Another owner was concerned that her farrier wasn’t spending as much time with a barefoot horse as with her other horses that wear shoes.

Yet, we’d bet this owner wouldn’t be willing to pay as much for the barefoot trim as for both a trim and shoes. Most farriers wouldn’t believe you would need to — or could afford to —spend the same amount of time with both barefoot and shod horses.

Still another owner indicated his farrier prefers to only trim and not take the time needed to nail on shoes. The farrier always asks the owner why shoes are…