There are a lot of horse shoers out there, but not a lot of Farriers. I to am extremely fortunate as to have a farrier that is wonderful. About a year ago my farrier retired due to an injury, I was lucky enough at that time to have is associate take on my horses. I did for two shoeing cycles though had to use some one else. The first time he came out after he left I noticed that he had put a size to small on both of my horses, and at six weeks they both came up sore. When he came back out I told him the size of shoes that I wanted put back on my horses and how their feet should look. Again when I checked on the horses when I got home he had put on a size to small on one and the other had two different sized shoes on. So, I interned fired him. I am paying for a service and if I don't recieve that service then he's gone. My horses had never taken a lame step until this shoer did them. Once I was able to get my usual Farrier back and he had corrected what the other guy did, my horses have been sound since. I think it is important for the horse owner to know what is correct and what is not.. Many shoers will put smaller shoes on a horse so the horse doesn't pull them off. anyways that is their excuse.

I do shoe my horses only in the front, because of the ground they are on. They go bear foot in the back. When our horses were on grass pastures in the summer they would go bear foot and only have shoes put back on when we began riding them again.

Shoes or no shoes I think it is important to know what is best for your horse, and if they do wear shoes, knowing what a properlly shod foot looks like.

It is frustrating and hard to find a qualified farrier. I would recommend that if you have a equine hospital in your area to get in contact with them and see if they have a list of Farriers that they approve of.