The importance of a good farrier

My first post from the road! Today, the farrier was on the farm to finish up spring shoeing. I've learned that there are a few keys to having good riding horses: the right diet, the right amount of 'work' each day/week and 'soundness' -- meaning, their legs/hooves (feet) don't have any issues. Keeping a horse sound requires a team effort. The vet can help you detect and treat issues but the farrier is also a really important part of the team.

Our farrier, Matt Reopel is terrific. Elizabeth, Lauren and Sarah love his little dogs he brings (so does Buddy!) and I appreciate his friendliness and willingness to explain his work to the riders in the barn. But most of all, it is his skill in tailoring individually appropriate shoeing options for each horse that is really important to running a high quality riding stable.

Lately, we have not been able to use Ginger very much. Ginger is one of our 'key' horses -- besides being beautiful, she is a really calm older horse that the beginner riders love to ride. Elizabeth won her first "Grand Champion" ribbon on her in the beginner walk/trot division. She and Dixie came to us together and, excuse the pun, have really been "workhorses" for us. But, for the past several weeks she's been lame and despite lots of exploration and expense using our wonderful vet, Greg Dowd from Arlington Equine, we have not been able to solve the issue.

Lameness in a school horse presents a huge emotional and business dilemma. We need horses that can be ridden every day now that we have so many riders. And heading into summer, we have a significant number of new and beginner riders -- which is GREAT -- but means our beginner horses will be earning their keep. It is a careful balance between using them and over-using them. And Chuck and Linda are adamant that we not work a lame horse. So, if Ginger can't work we not only are absorbing a lot of expense, but we then need to increase usage of our other beginner horses who we don't want to over work.

We had to begin to consider the unthinkable: finding Ginger a new, good home. Enter Matt Reopel! Today, he had some custom made shoes to put on her. She has had nevicular (spelling?) issues and these were designed to address that as a possible issue. And, guess what? By this afternoon Ginger seemed much, much better! She was used (I am told) for some light walking lessons today. Keep your fingers crossed. We would all be sooooo happy if this simple solution allowed us to keep and use Ginger. She is the perfect horse for new riders.

Krissy was going to get me some pictures of Matt working today. I will post those when I get back to the farm later tomorrow. And this summer we are going to do some amateur video with Matt and Dr. Dowd to post on this blog. They are definitely key members of our team!