Hooves Unlimited

Review: On 7/**/13, my daughter's horse lost a shoe in the paddock. Since she was taking him to a National horse show in Vermont 10 days later, it was imperative that his feet be sound. Her trainer was evicted from the barn and refused to give us our farrier's number (she used to handle all farrier/medical issues) so we googled farriers and [redacted], of Hooves Unlimited, name came up. He came later that afternoon, was aware of the huge expense we invested with going to Vermont and knew not to trim [redacted]'s feet to short. Not only did he make his foot one size too small, he put the nails of all 3 shoes into the quick, which is extremely painful for the horse and left him extremely lame. The vet came out 2 days later and pulled both front shoes as he could not walk. He needed special boots in order to protect his awful feet. A week later, he abscessed on his hind leg and once again, the vet came out to pull that shoe as well. She would have pulled all 4, however, there was epoxy put on the initial hoof that lost the shoe and she didn't feel comfortable removing it. All in all, the vet came out 5 times within 8 days. Needless to say, we were not able to make Vermont and [redacted] has had a very slow recovery for [redacted] shoddy work.We initially asked him for our $300 back plus half the vet bills totalling $650.00 (the vets bill has since gone up since she visited more times since we spoke with him). He admitted wrong doing and said he would shoe the horse for free until December. I could hardly contain myself when he offered that service after crippling my daughters horse. We would like medical paid for as well as our $300.00. Thank you.Desired Settlement: We initially asked him for our $300 back plus half the vet bills totalling $650.00 (the vets bill has since gone up since she visited more times since we spoke with him). He admitted wrong doing and said he would shoe the horse for free until December. I could hardly contain myself when he offered that service after crippling my daughters horse. We would like medical paid for as well as our $300.00. Thank you.

Business

Response:

Dear Mediator

I received your correspondance today and have composed my reply below:

Mr. [redacted] called me in the early afternoon of July **th, 2013. He explained he was in a bit of a bind as his horse had thrown a shoe right before a horse show. He further explained his regular farrier opted not to shoe the horse at last visit and was unavailable to tack back on the shoe.

I agreed to look at the horse that afternoon and went to the farm in Holmes, NY. On arrival, I met the owners, Mr. and Mrs. [redacted]. On inspection, I noticed the horse's feet were not in good shape, indicative of improper care/management. The feet were dry and cracked, hooves flared out, and the horse had stomped the shoes through his feet which occurs when being kept in a mismanaged environment- especially for a show horse. Inshort, the hoof care recieved prior was substandard. There was an insufficient amount of hoof to work with and hooves were in a degenerative state. I explained in a gentile manner to the owners that the horse was not in condition to go to a show, but was careful with my words so as not to cause alarm to the owners nor to discredit their regular farrier who is a friend of mine, and keeping in the nature of general good business practice.

As was needed to begin to collect the sitation, I put four new shoes on the horse. Frequently throughout the process, I put hoof testers on to ensure the horse wasn't in pain, double and triple checking everything. I took extra precaution with this case as I was most concerned there wasn't much hoof to nail into, but the owner's insisted I try so that his daughter had a chance to go to the show. I gave no misrepresentation that the horse would be able to go to the show, nor any soundness guarantees, given the condition the horse was in upon my arrival. Before 1 left, I advised them to change the care and management of the animal by keeping him in a deeply bedded stall for a minimum of 12 hours a day, versus the rough h1rnout he was cull'ently getting, and explained the effect it was having on his feet. This environment of hard, dry ground and inconsistent moishire levels means the hoof catmot sustain unneccesary strain,

pressure or fatigue. When I left the barn the horse was sound and his feet in better condition than when I arrived.

On Wedne sday July **th, I received a call from Mr. [redacted] explaining the horse had come up lame, the vet had been out to check him and the horse was not doing well . I requested the name of the vet in order to speak directly to her. I immediately called Dr. [redacted] at [redacted] ([redacted]) and asked her for a rundown of what she'd seen. Ultimately, she concurred that since the horse left a professional facility where the horse had been boarded prior to the [redacted]'s trainer being evicted, the horse's overall condition was degenerating. She said she would call the owners to explain this so they would better understand all of the external elements leading to the horse comillg up lame.

At no point do I acknolwledge any wrongdoing, hence why I never offered to refund the client's payment of$300.00, in fact,

I told the client directly if l had to do it all over again, I would not have done anything differently even if it had beenmy own horse.

Still, in a show of good faith, realizing they were novice horse owners (it being their first horse) and in the interest of having them as long-term clients, I offered to shoe the horse for the remainder of2013 at cost (which would have been 4 showings). I have been a farrier for 5 years, and work with many vets and clients at all levels that will attest to my knowledge, excellent craftsmanship and customer service- it is something I pride myself on.

It is unfortunate Mr. [redacted] does not recognize the cause for the horse's failing.

Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions.

Best Regards,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

He basically lied on all statements he made. The horse had had impeccable care and was treated every 5-6 weeks for shoes. He was not on tough board as mr. [redacted] states and he never mentioned bedding, etc. I have 4 witnesses who were present as well as a statement from the vet as well as his farrier stating the work completed was substandard. The fact this guy can make stuff like this up is ridiculous and immoral. Unfortunately, we will see him in court, with our witnesses. Thank you.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,