Another Visit by the WGF

7/10/2013

World's Greatest Farrier, that is. I've written about Mr. Jaime Osbrink many times, and I am sure you're sick of hearing about him, but reliable, friendly, and competent farriers can be hard to find.

Jaime at work while Speedy waits patiently.

I only get to see Jaime face to face twice a year if I am lucky. My boys both love him so much that they stand rock solid the entire time he works. They don't need me there to hold them. This means that he comes to do his wok while I'm at work so I never get to actually talk to him about how my boys' feet look. He always sends photos or texts letting me know that all went well, but a face to face is a lot more fun.

I get to watch Jaime work during summer break and Christmas break if the timing is right. He last did my boys just before school let out, and he's due back on the first day of school, so Tuesday was my one chance to visit with him and watch him work.

Jaime is an excellent farrier. He's one small step away from achieving Journeyman status with the American Farriers Association, the highest level of certification that the AFA offers. He now has his sights set on the European Federation of Farriers Association.

Our visit consisted of how his girls (actual children) are doing on the rodeo circuit, how my boys (equine) are doing in dressage, and how his golf game is progressing (it's coming along he says modestly). We also talked a lot about the barefoot movement. No, I am not going that route, but I enjoy hearing what he thinks about it. He's quite knowledgeable and strives to stay current with the latest research and techniques. He also competes in shoeing competitions as he's quite confident in his work. He stresses that everything he does is always for the good of the horse.

I sure hope that my boys are due again in late December, or this will be my only real visit with my farrier. I may not see him again until next summer. Two hours and some watermelon slices just wasn't enough face to face to last an entire year. I might have to "lose" some shoes to get him back here when I have a day off.

Lauren link

7/10/2013 05:26:16 am

He sounds like an amazing farrier! They are worth their weight in gold.

Karen

7/10/2013 07:20:45 am

He is and they ARE!

Tracy @ Fly On Over link

7/10/2013 05:36:12 am

I agree with Lauren completely! A farrier with good bedside manners is not easy to come by!

7/10/2013 07:24:24 am

I do everything I can to make him happy ... Before he got there, my horses were worked and mellow, I swept/raked his work area, and hosed it down to eliminate dust. I also held tails to keep them out of Jaime's eyes, fly sprayed, picked up the fresh poop that Sydney deposited, and brought big watermelon slices in an ice chest. He's a GREAT farrier, and I want to keep him around for a long time. :0)

Calm, Forward, Straight link

7/10/2013 10:47:34 am

I ♡ mine too! He was here last week.

I organized the schedule here on the island, had a cooler full of icy gatorade and h2o ready for him, plus caught and held a neighbor horse. He's (very patiently) teaching me to trim so I'd do anything to make his life a little easier.

7/10/2013 11:21:32 am

ANYTHING to keep him happy, huh?!

Angela

7/10/2013 11:57:35 am

He is the greatest! And, he does tolerate a lot from me and my crew!
He has an especially "fond" name for our miniature donkey that actually growls at him...:/ sorry Jaime...you are the best!!!!!!!

I just have to add that Good Will is always a little "tuned-up' when Jaime gets here, but as soon as Jamie begins, Will blows a deep, wet sigh and nearly falls asleep! Jaime says that it's because in Will's mind Jaime's sole purpose in life is to serve him...And while he's here, he does! LOL
Thanks for acknowledging him and giving him all the accolades he deserves.

7/11/2013 05:22:45 am

He says the same thing about my boys; he calls himself their hired help. His priority is always making the horses happy and comfortable; I I love that! :0)

Hillary link

7/10/2013 02:13:29 pm

He sounds great. My farrier competes too. It's pretty cool.

7/11/2013 05:23:17 am

I am glad to hear there are other great ones out there, too!

Val

7/11/2013 12:31:32 am

Great farriers ARE hard to find, which was part of my motivation for becoming my own. Care to share about the barefoot discussion?

7/11/2013 05:29:27 am

It was a lengthy conversation, Val, but in a nut shell:

1. many barefoot lovers have gone that route for lack of quality farrier care (as you know)
2. It works for some horses and not others
3. the transitional period from shoes to barefoot can cause a lot of internal damage that owners don't see
4. DRY and HOT climates (like mine) make it difficult for the horses to go barefoot
5. Shoes provide support, therapy, and protection
6. Most horses in regular work need support on their front feet to offset the stresses caused by the weight of the rider

There was more, but I don't want to misrepresent Jaime's view. Most important is that he feels there is no one solution for all horses. Each horse's situation should be evaluated before deciding on shoes or barefoot. :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage