On Phoebe's upcoming shoeing

[Mellifluous]

I set up my appointment to have Phoebe shod later this month. I also learned that my farrier only does hot shoes now. I asked him why and he said that it gives a better fit, seals off the capillaries, hardens the part of the hoof that contacts the shoe and a few other things that I can't remember.

Anyway, looks like Phoebe will be getting hot shoes all the way around later this month to the tune of $110. How much do you folks that get your horse's shod usually pay? Just curious.

[Linda Y]

I have only had two sets of shoes recently...one was $75 and the other $60, but both were cold set.

[Pam M]

$45, fronts only.

[Cindy]

$85. I would not hot shoe any of my horses unless they had a specific need for it.

[Fuego]

$90. Kentucky. I agree w/ Cindy. Would never hot shoe unless there was a specific need for it.

[Mellifluous]

Well, I guess I don't really have an option. All he does is hot shoes - he did say that if she could not handle the smoke and smell that he would cold shoe her. But, we do not expect any behavior issues out of her.

Why would you not hot shoe?

[Barbwire]

$135, new shoes all around. (and no, they aren't gold plated) I never do resets, we wear right through them.

[Fuego]

Actually, as the owner of the horse, you DO have an option.

And you just stated that the farrier is willing to cold shoe. ( your farrier may prefer to hot shoe, but we're not talking about the farrier's horse, it's your horse, YOUR DECISION).

For me it's not a question of why not hot shoe, the question for me is WHY
hot shoe?

I guess I'm somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to "procedures" and my animals. I feel less is usually better. If it isn't neccessary, I usually chose NOT to. I have tried hot shoeing in the past, and other then a better "show" from the farrier, could not discern any benefit from hot shoeing whatsoever. However, hot shoeing usually had a slightly higher price then cold shoeing.
I do believe some farriers use hot shoeing as a marketing ploy to impress their clients and raise their prices.

I'm not saying hot shoeing is "bad" or detrimental. I simply choose not to apply a piece of scorching metal to my horse without a very good reason to do so. If my horse had a problem with his feet and the farrier could explain sound logical reasons why it should be done, yes I'd hot shoe in a heartbeat.

I may ask advice and seek council from vets and farriers, but they will treat my animals according to my wishes and instructions, or they won't work (or get paid) on my animals.

Have experienced too many incompetant vets and farriers to blindly hand over responsibility for my animals to them, or any one else.

I once had a vet tell me my dog needed a multi thousand dollar surgery for an injured leg and recommended surgery immediately. Otherwise the dog would permanently lose the abilty to use that leg. 3 days later ( without treatment) and the dog was as good as new.

[Cindy]

Ditto Fuego. It is unnecessary and other than putting more money in your farrier's pocket does not benefit either you OR your horse. Your farrier works for you and should shoe your horse however you want the horse shod within reason. A farrier saying that you must hot shoe you horse is like you going to the doctor for a routine physical and him telling you that you must have surgery if you want a physical to be performed. It is an unnecessary expense and an unecessary risk to take with your horse. Even if the risk is perceived to be minimal.

[Laura S]

My farrier would only hot shoe also, and I believe it was because he is a perfectionist. He wants the shoe to fit well. He would usually cool the shoe in a bucket of water though so as not to smoke the hoof too much. He charged about 110 to 120 dollers. But he will also do a barefoot/natural trim. Well, that is what he prefers to do, but will shoe if you want it.

[Hacienda Del Sol]

I disagree that hot shoeing is fo nothing more than puting more money in your farrier's pocket. It is not possible to fit a shoe as nicely cold as you can hot. Shoeing hot is used for a variety of reasons: as a way to truely fit a shoe, as a way to secure clips to the hoof wall, some feel it cauterizes the hoof tubules and leads to better hoof health, and of course is necessary when doing any shoe modifications, trailers, square toes, extensions, etc. I'd discuss the reasons he likes to hot shoe before I simply dismiss it as a money-maker.

[Mellifluous]

Well, this guys is more expensive than other farriers in my area. I have known this the whole time I have used him and have no problem paying the extra money. I have used him for 9 years, he is honest and always on time. My horses have never been lame and he has helped me out when I had horsey emergencies. I don't think he is trying to get extra money. He gave me a laundry list of reasons about why he hot shoes horses. The reasons included the ones that Jamie just listed and I can't remember the rest as I am having a brain fart. :oops:

The history that I have with my farrier usually inclines me to trust what he wants to do and let him do it. I don't think that he would endanger my horse or try to fleece me. He truely believes that hot shoeing is superior to cold. :confused

Oh, and I don't think he would charge me less money to cold shoe. Like I said, he is expensive. But I like him.

[motorgypsy]

If your farrier is dependable, gets along with your horses and does a good job he's worth his weight in gold. All I do is trim our horses and so I know from first hand experience that it's a difficult and dangerous job that is frequently underappreciated.

That said, our farrier says hot shoeing is a way to make more money. That a good farrier can do as good a job cold shoeing. But that's just his opinion.