OMG do I have a story for you!?

The farrier at your barn sounds like he sucks. You found that one out the hard way :(

The guys at your barn sound like a bunch of goobers. Found that one out the hard way too, didn't ya? I feel for ya, I've had that type at my barn a few times. Luckily for me they never lasted too long.

Hope things work out for you at your friend's place.

And if you really want to teach a horse to tie quietly, take him camping for a few days where he has to stay on a picket line. Works like a charm every time. Saying a horse shouldn't be left unattended while tied is a bunch of hooey (sorry). A well-trained horse, especially a western horse, should stand tied as long as you choose to (or need to) leave him tied, and even ground tie if you want to go through the trouble of teaching him that too. In my experience most people who say a horse should never be left alone while tied are usually the english arena riders or others who have no practical purpose for it. I taught my BO's show horses to stand quietly tied while unattended even though she swore it was too dangerous (back in the day, eons ago). She loved it so much she now has me teach any new horse she brings in to stand quietly. And good luck with the new farrier, I hope she gets your guy sound again!

So you know the tying and leaving thing is a bad idea.

Why would you not call the old (1st) farrier now, rather than risk your horse to yet another possible disaster? The only reason you cited was so he wouldn't have to drive an hour. Farriers do that frequently where I am. I am now using one who drives 2 and a half hours to get to me. It is worth it for the peace of mind.

I would recommend callingup your old farrier and telling him what has happened. He may have some ideas and will know your horse.

Here is why.... I had a wonderful farrier for many, many years. He was in a tragic accident and can no longer do farrier work, so I searched around and found a kindly gentleman who claimed to be a farrier. I did not check his credentials since very few farriers here are certified...We tend to go by word of mouth. So I gave him a try. My normally calm mare started fussing and kicking. I decided to switch farriers as things were going downhill with this one. I found a great gal and watched her work on 5 horses. Things looked great, so I hired her. My normally calm mare now became a nightmare.. I had to sedate her to do any farrier work. After a miserable year, I have now found a new farrier who has a style similar to my original fella. My mare is finally letting him trim her without a blow up.

That is why I advocate for going to someone familiar that your horse trusts. Especially after this scary event.

As for moving your horse, are you comfortable where you are? Is your friend nearby? and have you left your horse there before? Friendships can grow stronger or can be shattered by boarding a horse. My friend and I split the work 50/50 for many years and it worked well for us, but I have seen others get into nasty fights and the friendship is destroyed.

Hope that helps

First, you've learned your lesson- don't tie your horse and leave it unattended.

Second, finding a new farrier is a good idea. I did the same thing- my farrier hurt himself and has since retired, so I just started using the farrier that was coming to the farm for my friends horse- BIG mistake- 10 months later (I switched farriers after using that guy twice) I am still dealing w/back and leg soreness issues because the first new farrier screwed up my horses feet so bad. My horse has been going barefoot since I retired him in 2005 and w/my old farrier had no problems. I switched and now we are having to do corrective shoeing on him (he's a QH w/no history of feet issues and I've owned him for 11 years) and he's getting muscle relaxers for his back and occasional bute for his legs. I can't even take him for a joy ride anymore and I may never be able to again- both my vet and my new farrier just keep telling me I have to wait and see. Just be happy that you were able to fix your farriers mistake because I may not be able to.

Third- I would be shopping for stables. Any barn owner that hires people that think chasing a horse in a truck isn't a good barn owner in my opinion. What if your horse had gotten out of the field when you weren't around and this is how they were treating it?? You would've gotten to the barn and found a lame horse and no idea how it happened and I'd bet you wouldn't have gotten the entire truthful story either.

Hope your horse is ok!!

Edit- Previously I suggested you stay at your current boarding facility as opposed to move to your friends (you asked the question a day or two ago) but after what happened w/your horse, move your horses asap. Take the risk that comes w/doing business w/a friend and get your horses to a safer facility.

I know how you feel and how there is that big question mark. Last week my electric fence was not working for all the reasons unknown. I got called 3 times to go catch my ponies. It was like really, because I was told the electric fence was fixed the week before. Let me tell you the hired help knows nothing about horses. Ran about a mile through the woods and criss crossed the road and finally caught them. The guy who works there said I couldn't find there halters, BULL, because I got 4 of them hanging in the barn. That happened 3 times 2 weeks ago. I switched farriers but had a good experience, my old one never showed up and abandoned his horses at his barn. Well I found a new one that charged me $20 for trim and did a real nice job, beats the job the dirtbag did for $40.

Never trust hired help, thats all I can say.

You should NEVER leave a horse tied up while you're doing something and can't be with it.

And yes, I had a new farrier come out last week and didn't trim evenly. I only hired him because my normal farrier bailed and never got in contact with me. Now my show-horse is lame. No showing this season.

Getting a different farrier was a good idea. I wouldnt want my horse in that facility. I would mover him somewhere else personally. Thats crazy.

wow. i feel so bad for you. you may want to more barns. if they treat your horse like this when your around who knows what they do when you are not. I would switch to a private barn. good luck.

I read your question the other day also, and I think that this incidence should make that decision pretty easy now!

And that's why it's unsafe to leave your horse tied and unattended. You already know that it's unsafe and you did it anyway. It is true that the barn hands should not have chased him, but barn hands are frequently minimum wage workers who may or may not know the first thing about horses.

I suggest leaving him in his stall until you are ready to ride.

Holy crap

So once i was on a trail ride leading...i was openin the gate, then all the other horses go flying around like crap in a blinder, kids were on btw, tthe horse i rode tony hates being by herself, i didnt see the horses running away, cause i was opening gate, turned around, i said were everyone go tony, she snorted. then i called one of them, they answered and were screamin, so i was about to go to where i saw dust, then tony froze and i kicked the hell out of her to help the people... they were fakin l: i galloped over, they popped up scared me and tony down this trail i didnt know, finnally got out and then story ended

it wasnt that simailer but lol