Housewives of Herd Holler

Well, I must say that it has been an interesting couple of weeks in my horse world.  Thankfully, Takoda has been the least of the drama.  His feet continue to come along.  It is a really slow process but I have been lifting them every day and am even able to partially clean the front ones without a fuss now.  But it is quite different to lift a foot for 10 seconds and to have one held up for trimming so we have a really long way to go.

I met a really nice farrier last week who happened to be at the barn working on another horse.  Several folks there use him.  He has taken a friend of mine's mare from shoes to barefoot and she had some issues when she was purchased so nice and slowly that came along.  He met Takoda, picked up his feet and we talked for a good long while.  To me, he seems to know a great deal about horses (of course) and more to the point talked a lot about natural hoof care and the desire to have horses stay barefoot (which is my desire too).  So, Koda has an appointment on Friday and I am afraid he is going to act like a 1200 pound brat.  But, we need to meet challenges and get through them together.

Speaking of - I was not aware that my barn was the home of "catty women farrier wars" until this evening.  I am a complete moron sometimes.  Well, no I take that back.  I AM A GUY most times.  And yes, I am overgeneralizing but just give me a minute.  There is another farrier also heavily used at my barn.  I actually know of him and know he too is a great farrier because the barn I used to ride at uses him.  The woman who sets up the appointments with him at my current barn mentioned him over a month ago and I said I was interested.  Since then I have not seen her.  An opportunity came along, I spoke to someone I felt was a good match and I made an appointment.  And wouldn't you know it tonight she informed me that her farrier is coming on Sunday and she could add me to the list.

I said - oh, thanks for thinking of me but I already made an appointment with so and so.  She snorted and said - well, good luck with that...  LOL.  I was taken a bit aback. So, then ANOTHER lady drags me outside and tells me this whole saga of personalities and ex-friendships and why this person doesn't like this farrier and that person doesn't like that one and I am standing in the snow thinking for Hades-sake I just want my horse's feet trimmed and want him to NOT try and kick the barn down while someone is doing so and I'm doing the best I can people PLEASE leave me out of the drama!!!!!! 

You said there would be a list and there never was one.  In the meantime, my horse's hooves grew, he needs trimmed, he NEEDS to meet a farrier and realize that his feet WILL get trimmed, I was presented with an opportunity and I took it.  If it does not work out I could still need a farrier but I suppose I will have to arrange that myself now that I have inadvertently pissed off the person who does the scheduling. 

And by the way, WHY do people not do their own scheduling?  Is this like a "thing" in the horse barn world?  Like, is the farrier sort of like a band that gets booked for a party?  Like, the band talks to the booking agent?

So, tonight I am reminded of my friend Stephanie saying - this is why I keep my horses at home.  LOL LOL....

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