kimw16•1d ago

Putting off a hoof job because the owner said 'next week' turned into a month-long mess

I agreed to wait on a trim for a draft cross, and the hooves grew so much it threw off his whole gait. Fixing the imbalance and getting him comfortable again took way longer than a normal shoeing. How do you handle clients who keep pushing back appointment dates?

3 comments

3 Comments

andrew2991d ago

Honestly that line about it turning into a month-long mess hits home. I used to be way too easy-going about reschedules. Tbh I had a horse founder because we kept pushing a trim back, and now I just set a hard two-week limit. If they can't do that, I tell them they need to find someone else.

elizabethr481d ago

Understand that founder is OFTEN more about diet than trimming schedules. While long hooves can cause problems, founder usually starts from inside the horse. I had a vet explain this after my own scare. You REALLY need to manage their feed and exercise along with trims. Your two-week rule is GREAT for keeping on track, but don't blame founder just on trims. It's a whole-body issue that needs constant attention.

the_oliver6h ago

Elizabeth's right that diet is a big part of founder, but skipping trims can make things worse fast. Long hooves change how the horse stands, putting more stress on the feet. That's why a two-week schedule helps catch issues early.