Farrier came!

[harveydales]

Are your farriers all coming as normal? Mine had said he would do emergancies only and trim only if it would cause problem to the horse if he didn't so I've been trying to keep on top of my 3 myself. I've got all the equipment and was getting along fine until the hooves got so hard it became a struggle.

Monday I got a surprise text from my farrier saying he was in my area Wednesday so could come if I wanted. I assumed he would want me to keep my distance and he would do the ponies tied up. Not so easy when one pony (Lily) is semi feral and another (Eve) can be very bolshy is she is in the mood plus I think the hard ground is jarring her hind end injury.

So buted Frankie to ease his arthritic back legs and put him in a small grassy area next to the hard standing. Lured Lily into the field shelter, got a headcolar on her and shut her in. Got Eve in her stable and gave her some sedalin when the farrier texted to say he was 30 minutes away. Then got myself all togged up in overalls, gloves, mask. Alcohol gel, bleach and Virkon made up to spray all at the ready. Farrier arrived spot on time.

Turns out he was happy for me to hold the ponies providing I was comfortable with it, which I was with all my protective clothing. All went very smoothly and he even complimented me on the work I'd been doing myself. Gave me a lesson on what to look for on each of the ponies so should be OK for a while now. After he left I swept everything up. Then took gloves off, removed mask safely, put on a new set of gloves and cleared everything up. Sprayed all surfaces with Virkon. Put overalls in the wash and breathed a sigh of relief.

Do you go through all of this or am I over-reacting? Lucklily when ANdy retired last year he brought home a load of nitrile gloves and masks of all grades. He knew I use masks when making up haynets but little did we know how useful these items would prove to be! He even had some alcohol gel which by some coincidence I found just before all this kicked off. Plus the virkon, a friend talked me into getting a big load at huge expence last year after there were some strangles outbreaks in our area. I didn't realise how much I'd ordered but now am glad I did!

How are you all managing?

[valerie n scout]

Our farrier is still happy to come over, just the distancing thing as it’s a yard full of folks anyway ! Just a case of being careful x

[Fi]

I assumed my trimmer wouldn’t be working, but I’ve heard from others that he’s been out to them which is great news. I especially don’t want Sammie going too long. Their feet seem to have grown a lot since the weather improved, so I’m going to drop him a text and check he’ll come. Both mine are fairly well behaved so I should be able to keep socially distant easily.

[dalesnfellfan]

My trimmer is still working, but my 2 have been self trimming on the concrete yard so I cancelled her again a couple of weeks ago, I now notice that Pippa could do with a bit of a tidy up so will get her out in a few weeks, I'm not really bothering with all the protective clothing etc just keeping a safe distance from anyone coming on the yard, I've got the dentist coming in the morning.

[harveydales]

Fiona - strange your lot's feet have been growing quickly lately. Mine have hardly grown at all and the farrier said this was the case in general, probably due to them wearng the feet down on the hard ground. It is certainly like concrete here.

ANdrea - hope all goes well with the dentist today. I've got the dentist due in a couple of weeks and she has asked for proper social distancing and has assured me she is using all precautions possible. I just hope Eve is in a good frame of mind the day she comes.

[valerie n scout]

Scout’s are growing but very dry and has a crack in one of the fronts , he’s suggested oil x

[dalesnfellfan]

Dentist came this morning, Connie's were sharp but no hooks and very level which is good, so she had her's done, Pippa's were borderline, she was done 6 months ago, so I opted not to have hers done this time as I didn't want to aggravate her poll with the gag and cause her to go backwards again, she is still doing well atm.

[mickey]

Had all my lot done today as the trims didn't get done last time as we were knee deep in mud and they weren't dire. They were fairly desperate now though. Didn't bother with PPE, farriers son works in a pharmacy so in all honesty we're both at risk anyway. Just tied everything up that was at the yard (and only had to intervene once when Elsie decided that nipping was a fab fun game). Made them their cups of tea which were more welcome than ever as the likes of Gregg's arent open. Just washed the cups up before alcohol gel on my hands. Had to hold Rory and Jerry as nowhere to tie at the field. Rory fine end of a leadrope Jerry was slightly more challenging but we managed to keep a reasonable distance and get them done safely. As my farrier said we need to be sensible as well with the normal shoeing risks- no point being Corona free if you've been kicked in the head so if something needs holding for everyone's safety so be it.

[harveydales]

Emily - yes, I'm glad you said that. I also feel there are other risks than Corona to consider and am glad my farrier was happy for me to hold my 3. Frankie would have been fine just tied up but easier if I hold him. Well done for providing a much needed "safe" cup of tea. I didn't think to but will next time.

Andrea - glad it all went well with the dentist. I did wonder about Pippa and her poll. As she was done 6 months ago it was clearly the right decision to leave her this time.

[mickey]

To be fair a cup of tea from me was safer than getting one from a coffee machine or cafe as I washed the cups before (poured boiling water over first then alcoholed my hands washed cups and realcoholed before putting them on a table).
Just glad to get them all done and sorted.

[harveydales]

Yes, it's a relief to know they are all done and dusted!

[Fi]

My trimmer came on Tuesday, I tied the boys up along the fence and kept myself back behind the other bit of fence and left him to it. Thankfully both are ok, although Sammie is a bit snorty at strange men wielding implements to start with. Luckily my trimmer is really good and always gives them time and a few pats and scritches before starting. I even spotted him giving Sammie a sneaky couple of kisses on his nose, and made a mental note to leave it a few days before doing the same 🤣

Once Sammie was done both ponies dozed off.

[harveydales]

That's good - you are very lucky. I'm afraid Eve isn't always as well behaved as yours. When I first got her her feet had been neglected for a considerable time and she didn't have a clue how to balance on 3 legs while you lift one. In fact she hadn't got the hang of standing on 4 feet all the time! It took me a long time to teach her how to have her feet picked out although I have been assured she was fine as a foal. It may be down to her hind leg injury that she plays up sometimes combined with her marish nature. I guess I'll never know but she is getting better.

It is always a bit of a traumatic time for me when the trimmer is due because of Eve and her problems, then poor old Frankie is quite arthritic in his left hind although he does his best. Then there is semi-ferral Lily who is fine once you've got a headcollar on her but I would never leave her tied up.