Last Thursday was one of those perfect days where everything just clicked

I had a client with a tricky draft horse who usually fights me on her fronts. Normally I brace for a rough hour, but she stood like a statue. I got both fronts done in 25 minutes flat, which never happens. Then the owner handed me a $60 tip on top of my regular fee. She said I was the first farrier who didn't make her mare nervous. Next stop was a barn I'd never worked at before, and the horses were all good. No swishing tails, no leaning on me. I finished my whole route by 2pm instead of 5pm. Has anyone else had a day where the horses just decided to cooperate out of nowhere?

2 comments

2 Comments

wesley_hart6d ago

Huh, that's a great story but I bet the mare wasn't actually "nervous" around other farriers, she just didn't like their technique. Horses pick up on bad vibes and rough handling real quick.

eric_carr6d ago

You ever notice how some horses just sort of... test you at first? Sounds like you earned her trust without even trying that day. My trick is to always start with a light touch on the shoulder, let them feel you're not in a rush. If a horse is tense, I'll pause and wait them out instead of forcing the issue. That mare probably picked up on your calm vibe and figured you weren't going to hurt her.