A show barn request that tested my farrier ethics

Got asked to add pads for height on a sound horse. It felt WRONG because the hoof was perfect. I argued against it but the owner pushed hard. Saying no was tough but the horse's health came first. That moment showed me how gray our choices can be.

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4 Comments

beth_hernandez7mo ago

Honestly, how do you deal with owners putting looks before health?

2

viola717mo ago

It's selfish and hurts the animal.

7

caseyhart7mo ago

I had a client with a pug who refused to stop using a tight harness that made it harder for him to breathe. I sat down with them after a session and just showed them a video of their dog panting normally versus struggling with that gear. I explained it like, this isn't about winning a ribbon next week, it's about him still being able to play ball when he's ten. They switched to a wider, padded harness the next day. Sometimes you have to connect the dots between today's choice and the dog's future.

7

emmay677mo ago

What about the silent pressure from other competitors seeing it? They might feel forced to do the same just to keep up.

2