#farrier problems

One of the downsides of living in a small town in a very remote corner of the Mojave Desert is that access to services can be limited.

And apparently our farrier just decided to quit. I've been messaging him for days, because Copper's gone lame again and the vet recommended moving her to a four week trim schedule and different shoeing. I've been messaging the farrier for DAYS about making these changes, trying desperately to get it covered before I leave on my trip in the morning tomorrow. She was due this week on her six week schedule anyway, so I needed him out here either way.

He flat out ignored my messages for DAYS. And finally, in exasperation, I messaged the barn manager this morning to see if someone could grab him when he was next on site while I'm away and ask him to respond to me.

And she just told me that he up and quit.

I'm so damn furious.

This asshole sent no notice, no referral to another farrier, no nothing. Couldn't even be bothered to respond to my messages saying, "hey, I can't shoe your horse anymore." Just ghosted me.

And he's pretty much the only farrier in town. Barn manager says that the owner is working to get someone else out for us and will let me know. I know there's several farriers in the next big town over, but that's about 60+ miles away. Fingers crossed the owner can make a deal with someone.

Thankfully, this is a trip where I will still have cell service, so I asked them to please let me know who and how to pay when they figure it out. I can't imagine trying to deal with this if I were traveling internationally or somewhere without service.

I'm so mad, though. Completely unprofessional on the farrier's part. I've been a good client, I always pay immediately. Copper is incredibly easy to handle and stands politely without any problems. I've been polite and understanding even when this dude was THREE WEEKS LATE coming to do Copper in November (and that delay is what initially triggered her ringbone to start showing symptoms). I've quietly put up with his flakiness and inability to show up on the days he says he is. I never complained, even though I probably should have.

I deserved the courtesy of at least TELLING me that he wasn't going to be available anymore. A referral to someone else would have been nice, but at the very MINIMUM he should have at least TOLD me that he wasn't available anymore. Not just leave me on 'read' when my horse is lame and due for her scheduled trim anyway.