What is wrong with my farrier!?

A nip = a bite, same thing, just not minimized.

Your farrier should not have to discipline the horse because he bites, because the horse should not be biting him in the first place. I don't imagine that you'd be in a terrible hurry to pay his loss of income if he was unable to work for a few days due to a bite injury.

I highly doubt your farrier would care about possible head shy issues, I certainly wouldn't if someone elses horse was about to bite me. I'd whack the horse with my hand or whatever was in my hand at the time.

I agree with this, to a point. Some horses need a distraction or they'll zone out and be dangerous. Sometimes munching on hay is a good distraction. But I would rather the horse learn to stand without pestering others via nipping or stomping or digging through things.

Still did not equal a smack to the face with a rasp.

Though I agree with you.. horse should never nip or bite people. That's dangerous.. again need to be on top of that as it can turn ugly.

Um, whack with the rasp is a bit over the top, but if the horse bit me as I was leaning down I'd be inclined to whack it with whatever I had in my hand!

I feel it's my responsibility to have my horse trained to stand quietly for the farrier without nibbles. That would only encourage biting.

That is disgusting, farrier hitting said horse with a rasp.. not to mention in the face! No need for it, NOT AT ALL!.. either smacking.. anything.. no way! Fire his arse!/rant over.

Though, as said, horse shouldn't bite, this is an issue you'll have to over come with the horse and although distractions are good it'd be best to train this out of the horse.

I usually like to provoke my horse as much as possible when I'm training them to be good with their feet. I'll bend over and bang on their hooves with the back of a hoof pick, I'll wiggle my butt at their face, work with a lariat on pressure and release of their feet, etc. I personally won't even let them sniff my pockets. They stand there, getting sacked out as if it was any other thing. Our farrier loves our yearlings more than some fully grown horses. It's like any other basic training, and my horse better be a saint with me because if the farrier's job is being impeded by an annoying horse (costing me money for less than quality work), I would want my horse to be the best that he can be so the farrier can get his work done properly in peace and not have to worry about training my horse for me.

Op-holding the halter and smacking-yes, out of line. A swipe at the horses' nose with the rasp-unheld-different, IMO, and I would probably do that myself.

Sounds to me like the horse needs a bit of work on manners.

I would strongly suggest you spend less time fussing with the hay net,or other treats) which the horse should not need to get a pedicure.....and more time actually holding the horse and correcting it yourself. Otherwise you may never have a farrier around for more than a few minutes.

I will tolerate a lot of things biting is not one of them.
The only time I beleive you should ever hit a horse is when they bite and with whatever I had in my hand,
I never allow my horses to be distracted while being trimmed and I always hold my horses. I want to be there in case anything such as this happens. Shalom

I'm sorry, but I can hardly imagine the horse was not hurt when whacked in full force by metal heavy rasp. Or was he doing it somewhat differently?

If my horse tries to nip on me she get an elbow in mouth or nose or whatever is close. Nipping is NOT acceptable. If the guy indeed whacked the horse in face, it's unacceptable and I'd switch a farrier, BUT you have to teach your horse to behave too.

agreed. I deal with my share of badly behaved horses bc owners do not correct them.

Not to say your farrier wasn't wrong if he hit him full on, but these folks work HARD for their money. They have no time to be teaching Rascal how to behave. That is my job, I'm his owner.

We went the "wait, wait, let me settle him down, get some treats, some hay, something to persuade him to be still" route. It stunk big time!! The second time he did Rascals feet I had DH hold him while I went for treats. HA!! Never again. DH had the different attitude, "you will stand still, and you will like it." Rascal didn't even bat an eye while his feet were done. He fell asleep twice.

I wouldn't tolerate abuse of my boy. I won't tolerate him biting, kicking, pushing, or misbehaving in general, especially not at farrier time. He doesn't have to show up, but he does. He doesn't need the hassle of a horse who won't stand still for ROUTINE care. If I lose my spot, there are 20 more waiting to fill it. He's a decent farrier.

I used to be of the persuasion "YOU work for ME." After an adjustment, and losing a really good farrier, I now am of the persuasion, "WE work for what is best for Rascal." Since MY attitude adjustment, hoof care is SO much simpler and less stressful.

This is my boy waiting for treats. He knows if he invades DH's space, his treats get fed to the dog, and he gets ignored.