Do you tip your farrier, or get tips as a farrier?

Mav2007 · 06-16-2008, 08:42 PM

Do you tip your farrier, or for you farriers on this board, do you get tipped? It's not easy finding a farrier in my area for one horse, especially since gas is so high. Most say it's not worth their time coming out. I finally found someone who will be coming out and I want to make sure he knows how much I appreciate it.
What would be an appropriate amount? Would he expect that same amount each time?

crittermom · 06-16-2008, 08:49 PM

I don't tip my farrier---he is a personal friend. I do give him free chicken eggs when he comes out. I have had the same farrier since 1980---I don't know what will happen when he gives it up. We had a thread on this a while back and opinions varied. Glad you found someone to keep your horse's feet in shape.

palomino1978 · 06-16-2008, 08:50 PM

I rarely get tips, but I charge $45 a trim, so I dont expect one. All I expect is the respect to be there when I come out to trim, and not to call and cancel 5 minutes after the appointment was scheduled! LOL
With diesel as high as it is, I cant afford to charge any less- I travel all over the county. Some days I still take a loss, but keep doing it because I love it!!
I wish I had a little 4 banger car!!!

Carri · 06-16-2008, 08:53 PM

I tip my farrier, because I know my horse tends to lean on him and make it a little difficult, and I want him to know I appreciate him taking his time and working with my horse!

BarnBum · 06-16-2008, 08:59 PM

I don't "tip" my farrier, but around the holidays, I do give him extra $$ and if I have to ask him to come sooner than my scheduled appt. I will give hime extra $$ for appreciation. I have been with the same farrier for YEARS.

PaintsQH · 06-16-2008, 09:12 PM

Same here. I have used the same farrier for about 12 years. We have more of a friend/client relationship. He will hang out and chat when he has a chance or talk about personal things, etc. But back on subject, yes, I do tip him every eight weeks when nobody is home

Kidding, I give him a few bucks here and there and around Christmas time. Sometimes inbetween trims for a couple of the horses, I will have him file off an edge or flare. They all grow different and are not on the same schedule. Also one of the horses needs shoes and he will swing by when im not home if he needs done.

RealFolkBlue · 06-16-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carri

I tip my farrier, because I know my horse tends to lean on him and make it a little difficult, and I want him to know I appreciate him taking his time and working with my horse!

That's the same reason why I tipped my previous farrier. Diego and Moonthar can be a handful sometimes, so I want to make it worth his time and patience.

dproaps · 06-16-2008, 09:37 PM

I always tip my farrier, at least 15%. He has several horses to do once he gets here and I know he is tired at the end of the day. If he comes on a weekend for me, I up the tip to 20%.

If he is here all day we tried to feed him lunch and try to make sure he has plenty of cool drinks and lunch. He takes care of our babies so we try to take care of him. Plus he is a brother in Christ.

kytrailrider · 06-16-2008, 09:42 PM

We don't tip our farrier, but we do make sure he has something to drink on those hot days!!!! He is the best we have found and one of the few to let us know ahead of time if he must cancel. We try to have at least 4 horses to shoe to make it worth his travel time/gas.

ScootinAlong · 06-16-2008, 10:55 PM

I've often wondered what the norm is for this. I do tip my farrier and have tipped my previous farriers when they've done what I've wanted.

My current farrier is great and I want to keep him so I tip him every time, generally just and extra $10-15 but hopefully it's enough to keep me on his good list.

thumpersgirl · 06-16-2008, 11:21 PM

I used to tip my farrier (have used the same one for 5 years) but he didn't like it. Instead of taking it as a tip, he'd knock off of my next visit.

I gave up and stopped tipping him. I do make sure he has refreshments and offer him food and he usually sticks around and chats with us too (unless he's swamped that day).

myboyjake · 06-17-2008, 12:55 AM

i try to give a little something and he always tries to give it back but I sneak it into his truck when hes not lookin

Thoroughbred Lady · 06-17-2008, 01:15 AM

We gave ours extra last month when he put shoes on our 10 yr old TB for the first time, it was quite the rodeo. But normally no we don't tip.

sherriawright · 06-17-2008, 02:20 AM

I didn't tip my last farrier because I hated him and so did my horse. My new farrier we both love, so I give him an extra $15.00, he charges $25.00 a trim and he does my two horses and pony.

Rusty's Girl · 06-17-2008, 02:52 AM

We don't tip, but the farrier gets 30 easy-to-trim, non-shod horses every time she comes, so it's worth her while, plus she charges a little above average to begin with.

**gbarmranch** · 06-17-2008, 05:17 AM

We don't tip either.. he walks away with a minimum check of $150 for each call - and I just spent $300 with him in a 7 day period.. $30 a trim, no shoes, and all horses will stand quiet or he doesn't have to do them.. We train them, not the farrier..

He likes it here.. that is enough..

PaintsQH · 06-17-2008, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherriawright

I didn't tip my last farrier because I hated him and so did my horse.

Something about the way you put that cracked me up. I tried using a different farrier when I was having trouble getting my usual one out and my horse gave him the hardest time. I liked the farrier, but my horse didnt

Funny Gbar, but true. All of mine are good, but my "tip" is kind of an extra few bucks if he files in between, so not really a tip per say. He charges me the same thing he has for years. Only went up 5.00 in over 10yrs,so he is good to me.
You mean you dont give that poor man a fruitcake or something at Christmas time

2manypets · 06-17-2008, 05:59 AM

i don't actually tip him... but we do send him a pitcher of beer on Saturday nights when we see him at the restaurant all the horsey-types here frequent!

ahlihaff · 06-17-2008, 07:30 AM

We used to tip our farrier when he charged $30 per horse (no shoes) and a $5 barn call. He raised his fee, and we don't tip anymore. I believe his fee goes up with the price of gas, which I understand.

If you are satisfied with him and good farriers are scarce in your area, I think it would be appropriate to tip him each time.

Drafty · 06-17-2008, 07:37 AM

I've never tipped my farrier, I don't know anyone who has, he's never asked to be, AND I just don't see the point.

I'm paying him $45 per horse for a trim. My horses are well-behaved. What is the point in spending extra money? Nobody tips me at my job. Don't get me wrong, I love my farrier and I appreciate the great work he does, but he's not a waitress. If he needs more money he can just raise his prices.

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06-16-2008, 08:42 PM
Mav2007 Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,449	Do you tip your farrier, or get tips as a farrier? Do you tip your farrier, or for you farriers on this board, do you get tipped? It's not easy finding a farrier in my area for one horse, especially since gas is so high. Most say it's not worth their time coming out. I finally found someone who will be coming out and I want to make sure he knows how much I appreciate it. What would be an appropriate amount? Would he expect that same amount each time?

06-16-2008, 08:49 PM
crittermom Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,477	I don't tip my farrier---he is a personal friend. I do give him free chicken eggs when he comes out. I have had the same farrier since 1980---I don't know what will happen when he gives it up. We had a thread on this a while back and opinions varied. Glad you found someone to keep your horse's feet in shape. __________________ Peace!! I wish the people of the world could get along as well as the animals in my backyard.

06-16-2008, 08:50 PM
palomino1978 Newborn Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 15	I rarely get tips, but I charge $45 a trim, so I dont expect one. All I expect is the respect to be there when I come out to trim, and not to call and cancel 5 minutes after the appointment was scheduled! LOL With diesel as high as it is, I cant afford to charge any less- I travel all over the county. Some days I still take a loss, but keep doing it because I love it!! I wish I had a little 4 banger car!!! __________________ ~~~The Healthy Hoof Barefoot Trimming ~~~ www.thehealthyhoof.webs.com

06-16-2008, 08:53 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,984	I tip my farrier, because I know my horse tends to lean on him and make it a little difficult, and I want him to know I appreciate him taking his time and working with my horse! __________________

06-16-2008, 08:59 PM
BarnBum Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 3,542	I don't "tip" my farrier, but around the holidays, I do give him extra $$ and if I have to ask him to come sooner than my scheduled appt. I will give hime extra $$ for appreciation. I have been with the same farrier for YEARS. __________________ Murphys Horse Law - A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching !!

06-16-2008, 09:12 PM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,417	Same here. I have used the same farrier for about 12 years. We have more of a friend/client relationship. He will hang out and chat when he has a chance or talk about personal things, etc. But back on subject, yes, I do tip him every eight weeks when nobody is home Kidding, I give him a few bucks here and there and around Christmas time. Sometimes inbetween trims for a couple of the horses, I will have him file off an edge or flare. They all grow different and are not on the same schedule. Also one of the horses needs shoes and he will swing by when im not home if he needs done. __________________ My treasures do not clink, they gleam in the sunlight and neigh in the night

06-16-2008, 09:37 PM
dproaps Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 1,491	I always tip my farrier, at least 15%. He has several horses to do once he gets here and I know he is tired at the end of the day. If he comes on a weekend for me, I up the tip to 20%. If he is here all day we tried to feed him lunch and try to make sure he has plenty of cool drinks and lunch. He takes care of our babies so we try to take care of him. Plus he is a brother in Christ. __________________ Those who suffer with the suffering are dancing to the rhythm of God.

06-16-2008, 09:42 PM
kytrailrider Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 138	We don't tip our farrier, but we do make sure he has something to drink on those hot days!!!! He is the best we have found and one of the few to let us know ahead of time if he must cancel. We try to have at least 4 horses to shoe to make it worth his travel time/gas.

06-16-2008, 10:55 PM
ScootinAlong Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 220	I've often wondered what the norm is for this. I do tip my farrier and have tipped my previous farriers when they've done what I've wanted. My current farrier is great and I want to keep him so I tip him every time, generally just and extra $10-15 but hopefully it's enough to keep me on his good list.

06-16-2008, 11:21 PM
thumpersgirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,380	I used to tip my farrier (have used the same one for 5 years) but he didn't like it. Instead of taking it as a tip, he'd knock off of my next visit. I gave up and stopped tipping him. I do make sure he has refreshments and offer him food and he usually sticks around and chats with us too (unless he's swamped that day). __________________ Some people are like Slinkies; they're good for nothing, but make you smile when you push them down a long flight of stairs.

06-17-2008, 12:55 AM
myboyjake Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ohio Posts: 155	i try to give a little something and he always tries to give it back but I sneak it into his truck when hes not lookin

06-17-2008, 01:15 AM
Thoroughbred Lady Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 199	We gave ours extra last month when he put shoes on our 10 yr old TB for the first time, it was quite the rodeo. But normally no we don't tip. __________________ The World Looks Better From The Back Of A Horse.

06-17-2008, 02:20 AM
sherriawright Weanling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pekin, Illinois Posts: 454	I didn't tip my last farrier because I hated him and so did my horse. My new farrier we both love, so I give him an extra $15.00, he charges $25.00 a trim and he does my two horses and pony. __________________ The art of riding is keeping the horse between you and the ground.

06-17-2008, 02:52 AM
Rusty's Girl Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 802	We don't tip, but the farrier gets 30 easy-to-trim, non-shod horses every time she comes, so it's worth her while, plus she charges a little above average to begin with.

06-17-2008, 05:17 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,218	We don't tip either.. he walks away with a minimum check of $150 for each call - and I just spent $300 with him in a 7 day period.. $30 a trim, no shoes, and all horses will stand quiet or he doesn't have to do them.. We train them, not the farrier.. He likes it here.. that is enough.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

06-17-2008, 05:59 AM
2manypets Halter broke Join Date: May 2008 Location: alabama Posts: 130	i don't actually tip him... but we do send him a pitcher of beer on Saturday nights when we see him at the restaurant all the horsey-types here frequent!

06-17-2008, 07:30 AM
ahlihaff Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western MA Posts: 3,584	We used to tip our farrier when he charged $30 per horse (no shoes) and a $5 barn call. He raised his fee, and we don't tip anymore. I believe his fee goes up with the price of gas, which I understand. If you are satisfied with him and good farriers are scarce in your area, I think it would be appropriate to tip him each time.

06-17-2008, 07:37 AM
Drafty Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 979	I've never tipped my farrier, I don't know anyone who has, he's never asked to be, AND I just don't see the point. I'm paying him $45 per horse for a trim. My horses are well-behaved. What is the point in spending extra money? Nobody tips me at my job. Don't get me wrong, I love my farrier and I appreciate the great work he does, but he's not a waitress. If he needs more money he can just raise his prices. __________________ "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi