Farrier Art

I don’t know you, but I need lots and lots of old horseshoes if you have any to give up, please let me know

My story is echoed in every other review here. Particularly the problem finding a farrier that would show up on time, not grumpy, and knows what he is doing. Chris is a rare find. His extensive knowledge and his willingness to share it with you without any «attitude» is quite remarkable.
He has an incredible fix for problem thrush. Like one of the other reviewers, I too thought, oh, I will just treat it myself. After a couple of months of no improvement, I finally had an epiphany. Why I am I coming here once a day, wasting my time to treat the thrush and having no luck. Wasting my gas as well! When for less than what I was spending to come here, Chris could use his special technique and get rid of it with NO effort on my part. Sounded good. I tried it and he explained everything through the entire process. It was really amazing. It took one «special» shoeing with his process and the thrush was cleared up. My mare started going downhill without expressing discomfort, because her heel bulbs were no longer sore. Kind of like having sand between your toes.
I could go on and on, but then you would be bored. Just suffice it to say, he is the best, call him today.

Aside from doing a great job on shoeing, Chris actually calls people back, shows up on time, and doesn’t force his ideas on you. If you know anything about shoers just one of those things would be a rarity, but all three in one guy? Unheard-​of. On top of that he’s patient and gentle with horses — a great shoer for a worried horse or owner!

I have owned horses for 40 years, and Chris had been trimming my horses’ feet for about 10 years. Under his care, my horses have not had any lameness issues (except for a couple of rounds of founder in one horse, but that was my own fault for keeping him on grass too long in the spring, and Chris helped a lot in his recovery).
In any case, Chris does a careful, symmetrical; and hygienic trimming of the hoof, frog and sole which has kept my horses sound and true. One might wonder if the health of my horses’ feet is due to nature or nurture? Well, when Chris was laid-​up (from a non-​horse-​related injury) for a number of months, and I used a couple of different farriers in the interim, two of my horses suffered very bad abscesses that took months and thousands of dollars to resolve. This example is clearly anecdotal, and I will never know is these abscesses were coincidental, but I do know that my horses feet look and perform better when they are under Chris’ care.
I really appreciate the fact that he seems to sincerely care about the science of hoof health, and continues to do stay educated about it.
An added bonus is that Chris is punctual, tidy, and quick to respond to messages.
And on a trivial note, he keeps his shirt-​tails tucked in, so no plumber’s crack =)

Four years ago I was coming off of an injury of my own that forced me to sit and watch my 15-​yr-​old gelding being exercised by a trainer for several months. My untrained eye became more observant, as I watched him become progressively unsound. At the point i was ready to come back to ride, his «serviceable soundness» (according to the trainer) deteriorated into unsoundness. LF heel block rendered him sound. My vet (husband) advised me to incorporate a different farrier into the mix — I decided to take a chance on Chris Minick. I’m a scientist — I liked his methodological approach. I’ve used Chris for the last four years, and my «serviceably sound» hunter, who still competes more than admirably, has added dressage to his repertoire, scoring an impressive 78% in First Level, and 72% in Second Level Dressage this fall (age 19). He dances — has very «happy feet». It took awhile, but his front feet are now very similar in size and shape. Chris was a very good chance to take!

Wonderful problem solving skills for an older horse with problem feet. He crafted a special shoe for one foot that could not have nails on one side. A very patient shoer. Also, good at returning phone calls and emails.