Unpopular opinion: Stretching out shoeing schedules is doing more harm than good

I keep seeing horse folks in my area push back their farrier visits to save some money. Just last season, I worked on a gelding with serious lameness because his owner went eight weeks past due. Fixing that kind of neglect takes twice the effort and costs them more in the long run. It's frustrating how short-term thinking is hurting these animals.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_riley1mo ago

Did you hear about my friend's mare that foundered after they skipped a trim?

willowb721mo ago

Agree with the gist, but calling it all neglect is overkill. Some horses genuinely need less frequent trims based on their growth. Always best to follow your farrier's advice for your specific animal.

jenniferh471mo ago

Seriously? That's how bad hoof problems start. Even slow growers need regular checks to prevent issues you can't see yet. Relying only on your farrier's schedule means missing early warning signs between visits. Cracks, thrush, and imbalance don't wait for a calendar date. Calling it anything but neglect when a horse suffers from avoidable lameness is just making excuses. Consistent care is basic, not optional.