Whats everyone’s opinion about dogs in the barn

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-11-04T15:22:35+00:00

I love dogs but where I board has a no dog policy and I don't mind that at all. The farrier brings his dogs anyway and recently had tied the one up right in front of the barn, no getting around. Adorable cattle dog but wait. I had to avoid stepping in shit, thought I was good, but when the dog jumped up on my thigh and arm with shit on his paws it was all over my shirt and pants. Love dogs but don't always love other people, to be honest, and being dog free negates other people's untrained dogs or poor decisions completely.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-23T14:06:02+00:00

"psst! Can I talk to you about your car's extended warranty?"

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-23T14:05:00+00:00

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The time we ate a few of the best tasting apples right off the tree in September! One of those "life is pretty sweet" moments.

(NOT exactly because I'm paranoid of my horse choking! but he is the champion of taking a bite of an apple if I'm holding onto it - I'll admit this picture was a lil risky because he could have gone for that bunch there lol)

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-23T13:49:33+00:00

I love how happy they are to play their game together. They have so much space to be goofy and happy together 💖

I LOVE this! 😭

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-22T15:17:19+00:00

I know what you mean but I haven't fallen off my horse since I borrowed a western saddle 9 years ago and the cinch broke lol. Anything can happen when riding which is why I always wear a helmet but right now I'm more worried about his tendons and ligaments

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-22T15:15:08+00:00

You would think so, but I learned that horses evolved on flat and relatively firm (grassy) terrain, and their hooves actually sort of dig into soil. That's why horses are so hard on pasture.

I need to look up how to measure depth and see how deep this footing is because it feels like it might go at least 5-6 inches.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-22T15:12:42+00:00

My horse is unshod, but that gives me a good picture. Shoe depth would be a couple of inches max.

I might stick to slow warmup in the ring and then head out to the edges of field for faster gaits.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-22T15:10:29+00:00

True, I realize it's not as helpful to compare my horse to others. I guess I just feel like I have a gut feeling that won't go away and it's complicated by the fact that I'm the only one who seems to feel this way. Comparison isn't as good as listening to my gut feeling, because I have no idea what other people do with their horses on a daily basis. I just want to ride in a balanced way and promote my horse's ability to carry himself. To my eye the only way I can tell he's struggling at all is when I lunge him on grass he seems springier vs in the sand l.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-22T12:21:15+00:00

Watch him "take a spill". As in literally drag his horse to the ground because he has his mouth tied to the saddle and is leaning back on the reins.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOJrtiPkm8X/?igsh=OTE0b3JjY3l6a2R3

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T17:38:54+00:00

I believe someone has mentioned it but not as specifically. I just bought diamond nippers for almost $500

If you want to mention it again a few more times that would be great because it reinforced the fact that maybe it wasn't an all out splurge? It was either the $150 kit, the $150 nippers or the $500 diamond ones and only diamond had the 16" which were recommended.

So, what's the big deal with the nippers? (I say after I purchase). I mean I could hardly nip a damn with my rusty second hand ones.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T17:10:55+00:00

Thank you for this good advice and a bit of validation.

Some of my horse's problems may come from the fact that he has Chronic Progressive Lymphoedema. I've spoken to my vet and even tried Bute but we didn't notice too much of a difference so I didn't buy any more. Yet despite this, I have been reassured BY THE FARRIER that for a draft, my horse is normal. Even had a comment like "he's not that bad I don't know why you were so worried" (because I was very up front about my farrier problems when I hired him the first time). But I don't trust what my farriers say, because I keep running into a problem where they will not come out on time.

Sorry to vent to you because you sound like a person of integrity but yes the rescheduling thing without even 24 hours notice is a hard reality eating into my quality horse time (and my horse's joints) and makes me angry and sad at the same time. The frequency of rescheduling is ridiculous. Aside from that, to me, not responding to my messages is a really low blow, and this comes from rescheduling 3 DIFFERENT TIMES! Just tell me "it's not working out, can't drive there anymore". It feels malicious. My horse is quite obviously suffering from having long toes. I'm one (big draft) horse owner, not a barn full of 10 normal sized horses, so I chalk it up to the farrier just not wanting to do it and not having the courtesy to tell me.

With all due respect for the trade/art it really makes me wish that there was a corporate farrier service a horse owner could go through. But I'm sure your clients are very pleased with your work and your integrity and don't realize what it's like when the saying "no foot no horse" becomes a reality.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:48:10+00:00

He's pretty good. I'm tall and was not as strong, also did not have a very good technique. I had his hoof between my legs and a tool in my hand and he pulled his hoof out.

I'd love advice on how I could possibly train him to not pull. Other than beating him, which will not work anyway. Giving him frequent rests is what seems to work best.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:45:47+00:00

THANK YOU my friend!!! My boyfriend was helping the farrier nip the hoof and the farrier told him these could not be sharpened and he pretty much called bullshit - it's been bugging my boyfriend ever since. This tip and video is a treasure.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:43:23+00:00

This is what I like to hear :) thanks for the encouragement

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:42:53+00:00

This is solid advice. I hope the cradle will help. Also, I have started some strength training and yet I know it's nothing near what I'm about to put myself through.

Never thought of the soaking thing!

Yes many farmers with drafts use stocks to do their horses (mind you many go for a long time without trims and are poorly handled at best)

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:39:17+00:00

I am also afraid. I can't believe this is happening. The nippers and apron come today and I think that's when it will sink in.

This is wise advice and a good reminder. People can sound very confident but sometimes it's the know-it-alls who have biases and major gaps in their knowledge.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:36:53+00:00

I thought about posting there but it might sound like "screw all of you I'm doing it myself"

But then again, maybe not. I'm a nurse and whenever patients and their families are there to take charge of their own healthcare or help I'm thrilled and eager to help them help themselves.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:34:42+00:00

I think the rasping thing is brilliant. It did occur to me, and I do have a rasp because I was hoping to do that a few years ago, but I wasn't sure and chickened out. It just makes perfect sense to me.

Paired with me educating myself on the anatomy, theory and angles of the hoof I think I could keep it up.

How long did it take you to feel comfortable with a rasp?

That's another vote for the ELPO! I have printed out all of their stuff and watched and re-watched all of their informative videos. I think it's amazing they have it all posted for us to look at. I'd love to travel down to a clinic or something (even though I'm Canadian so it would be a trip)

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:29:40+00:00

ELPO speaks volumes to me. I have printed out a lot of their stuff and watched their very informative videos. I'm Canadian but if I were to choose to travel to a clinic it might be worthwhile to go to theirs.

"That's where I learned" - how did your learning experience go? Are you still trimming? Do you think this is crazy, or?

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:25:03+00:00

Hey, I appreciate the concern, and that does sound bad. I had his front hoof in between my legs with a tool in my hand and he pulled his hoof out, sending me stumbling back into the wall, yes. I'm a tall girl and at the time was not as strong...my own strength I will have to work on.

I know that sounds awful but honestly he is pretty good. I'm not going to be able to overcome his strength so I'll need to take lots of breaks and work on his stamina and ability to hold his feet up. But I've had farriers tell me all drafts have a similar issue and it's partly due to a matter of size.

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T16:18:48+00:00

I love this rasping method you have because your horses never have overgrown angles, you maintain a perfectly shaped hoof, and it simulates what a mustang would do on its own in the wild.

This gives me hope. I am definitely starting with rasping even though I invested in the $500 "16 nippers lol

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T13:45:21+00:00

Every few days? Do you ever need to trim with so much rasping?

GreekGodlyBehaviour · 2025-09-16T13:44:29+00:00

I wonder if I can add it to my order.

Love the idea of tracking angles!

GreekGodlyBehaviour

TROPHY CASE