I am having to do some serious considering about my goal of showing Karisma at the Canadian Supreme next year. Luckily I have until the middle of August 2004 to get my entry in!

I used the 2003 entry form to figure out my approximate costs for entering the show. Holy smokes, I thought $500 was a lot when I went in 2001! The Canadian Supreme Futurity classes are quite expensive to enter - $400 entry fee plus $128 office fee for one class alone - OUCH!! It can be run concurrently with another Non Pro class which is a mere $228 total entry. By the time I was done with membership, stabling and paid warmups, I was over $900.

Okay, I thought, I can budget for that. It is possible, though I will also have to save up to ride with J.P. for a while before I go to the show... lesson and board costs there. But it is financially feasible.

Then I started to consider the fact that when I took Raime to the show, he had five years of reining experience under his belt. Kari will only have a little over one year by the time the show happens. I honestly don’t know if I can have her competition ready by myself in that short amount of time, especially when I am only currently riding her twice a week at best.

All of these thoughts started to tumble in my brain, and the thought of sending her out for professional training definitely crossed my mind.

Photo credit: Chris Hassell

Of course, that gave me pause for thought for sure! I have always wanted to do this myself, but I have to be honest - it takes YEARS longer to do it yourself if you are not a trainer.

As I said before, I have some serious considering to do. Do I want a better shot at placing well next year? Do I want to do it myself? If I do it myself, will be ready enough to spend that kid of money or should I not bother at all? I know most of the other Non Pro horses that show at those types of events are actually Pro trained horses whose Non Pro owners climb aboard to show. Do I want to put myself under that kind of pressure?

I know that Karisma has the talent to take me where I want to go, but I am not so sure I do! I guess what I need to do is take one day at a time, and make a commitment to ride as much as possible, and then evaluate where we are next summer. Without riding more often, there is no way that Kari will be broke enough to show at that level, so that is the first commitment I have to make.

Lots to keep me thinking - and on that note, I’m going riding! ‘Til next week, happy riding!
~ Kristi :)

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Last week we started to answer the question - How do you know if your farrier is doing a good job? - with feedback from some local area horseshoers.

Another farrier, who is currently still attending school, answered my query with a few questions of his own. He credits the late Cindy Dawn Eldstrom, previous instructor at Kwantlen College with some of them.

1. Do you like your farrier?
2. Is he / she good with your horses?
3. Is your farrier certified by the American Farriers Association?
4. Did your farrier graduate from a recognized farrier course, or, did he/she serve an extended apprenticeship?
5. Is your farrier busy, and high-priced? (highly developed skill does not come inexpensively, and he/she is obviously in demand. You may have to wait, but it will be worth it for your horse's long term soundness)
6. Is your farrier a member of his/her professional association?
7. Does your farrier continue to upgrade his/her skills by attending professional workshops, seminars, conventions, and competitions?
8. Is your farrier willing to liaise with other farriers? Veterinarians? Other professionals in the equine industry?
9. Is your farrier willing to help YOU learn?
10. Is your farrier (within reason) prompt, courteous, friendly, and business like?

These are all questions you can ask of yourself. If there are one or two negatives, you still probably have a good farrier, but if you answered no to several of them, you may wish to start scouting around for another shoer.

This is one horse owner's take on what amounts to a good horseshoer in her opinion.
“ As for getting what you pay for in a farrier, I'd be happy with someone I could get a hold of, showed up on time for appointments, treated my horses fairly, and obviously knew how to trim or shoe as needed. They should be able to see the "big picture" for every horse and take into account the type and amount of work the horse does, natural foot shape and condition, diet, age, etc. More than just pounding nails!”

I guess what it all comes down to is each person’s personal preferences, based on their own personal experiences. The best thing you can do is educate yourself as much as possible through books and magazine articles, and keep up a good relationship with your farrier, veterinarian and therapist. And if you feel you have a good farrier, you probably do - and now you want to keep him!

Continued next week with how to KEEP that good farrier.

If you have comments or suggestions along the way, please share with me at kristim@hiway16.com

Northern BC Horse is sponsored by local businesses who support equine sports in our area including:

• Baerental Ranch
• Burns Lake Building Supplies
• Hoskins Ford
• Northern Horse Supply
• Reimer Ranch
• Ridennoure Paint Horses

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