Ok, so I got an email from a 3rd year vet student who is home for the summer. She was told by one of her instructors to find a farrier to shadow a bit for the summer. He said to find an AFA certified farrier (just his words) and get some learning since they don't get much farrier instruction in their curriculum. So, what do you all think about this? Is it a good idea? Would you agree to it?
Ben, my thought would be that if it's ok with your wife , go for it, we B &M about vets not knowing anything about our trade ,this presents a chance on your part to pass on the real life experience to this future Vet. . Could be a huge asset. So far as the Roman Empire and it's fall ,I'm betting that there were a lot of ...starts to it... Regards Ray Steele
Look, I'm not thinking of trying to show this person that my way is the only way. I would want to expose them to as many things in trimming and shoeing as I can and give the person some things to think about and maybe enough interest to go read some more about. I'm no wonder farrier but if I can help this gal learn more than back up the toe and wedge the hell out of em' I think it would be ok. As far as gender goes it doesn't matter to me, I'm a happily if not scared married man. I have had Kimmy ride with me for over 8 months and not once did my wife have a problem with it. This will be educational for both I hope, that's it. Thanks for the replies so far.
Just don't set the bar too high. You should forget to return some calls and be late or miss an appointment once in a while and please don't wear a collared shirt every day.
Tom, that's all normal procedure so no worries. I wear western style shirts, wranglers, and a cowboy hat every day so collars are just part of the deal. If she can get past the smell after about 10:00 am she will be ok. Hopefully I can just get her to realize that shoeing is important and were not all neanderthals.
I wouldn't be worried about exposing them to trimming and shoeing. I would try to get them to see anatomy through the eyes of a Farrier. Such as looking at a foot and have a good estimate of where the bone is in the hoof capsule and a good guesstimate of the angle of the bone. I'd also focus on the physics and mechanics.
I had one three different youngsters from our local high school as it turned out none of then were to become vets n only one ended up working in the horseie industry as a shop keep at local produce store All nice kids all were tought to drive in my truck cost me a new clutch hehe was asked to do it again by the head master n declined saying that if the student was acually a vet student Id certainly consider it I run it by your partner just out of respect yeah
Ive had a fair few vets over the years help me develop my knowledge and i would hope i could offer the same in return for a training vet. There are plenty of qualified vets that could learn a lot from a farrier.
