Hi. Your filly is reading intent. The farrier wants to get on with the job & on to the next client & his unconscious restlessness is being picked up by your filly. Often farriers are tall, athletic men who inadvertently frighten youngsters by holding the hoof uncomfortably high. Talk to the farrier, suggest to him that you are willing to pay him for his time not to trim your filly but to help her relax with him. If he dismisses your suggestion change your farrier. My filly, Holy Moley, suffered exactly this problem but we found a sympathetic farrier who worked with us. She had her front feet only trimmed twice before we tried her all round & she was better with the back feet than the front ones. Cooperation between all is key. Good luck. Cheers, Jo.

Great points from Jo and you have done all the right things so far, you will get there I'm sure. You've come a long way in three months, don't worry, you have time on your side. The only point I would add to Jo's is to be aware of a horse's acute sense of smell; farriers have a smell of their own; tools, burning steel/burning hoof smell(from shoeing) smoke from the cooling process....she will recognise that smell from a long way off! Following on from Jo's point, as you are paying him to just 'be there' set yourselves p for success as much as possible, e.g. can he come in a different vehicle? Can you be 1st call of the day so there is less scent? etc. Good luck!

Thank you guys. I offered to pay him for his time to help but he didnt seem interested in doing that.  She started acting up as soon as he got out of his car. He couldnt even get close enough to touch her at all (it was shocking to me) she actually started half rearing and snorting and dancing around and tried to run back into the paddock.    I tried to explain the advance retreat method to him but he didnt care. He just said theres no way and told me to get two strong posts and crosstie her between them and let her wear herself out but I feel that would do more harm then good. I am going to try a female farrier to see if maybe it is just him.  I know it must be the smell because my father in law can pick her feet up and my husband and brother in law.  Or maybe she gets a bad vibe off of him. I will also see about getting her to be the first call.  I just feel like i am out of options and not sure what to do.  It seems almost impossible.  I know that she was tied really tight to a wall with a lip chain and that was her first experience so I get her being nervous.  Her one leg is starting to Toe Out so i am really stressed out about keeping that foot trimmed. I know that there is no way to stop that leg from doing what it is going to do so I should try and relax but its difficult. She is only a year old and a draft so I am hoping it straightens on its own farther down the road.  

Hello Markie;  things have a way of working themselves out.  The farrier that you hired has NO BUISNESS being with horses.  Keep him away from your horses.  From what you said that happened to her previously, you`re now dealing with the consequences of being treated with an old-time cowboy approach that Monty saw as a boy.  

 My advice to you would be to keep on doing what your doing with asking her to raise and hold her feet in someone`s hand in a relaxed way.  This will probably take some time because of the trauma that was caused with her first trimming.  I would try many short sessions a day with her until she can get herself to relax with confidence.  I would also treat her  after each session.  You must change her entire thought process about having her feet handled.  If you are routine and consistent with your practice,  she will take on a different mindset.  Talk to her and reward the slightest try that she offers by taking the pressure away with a walk-about.  Then a long pause after the walk-about.

As a farrier, I apologize for the afore-mentioned treatment that your filly received.  Your idea of a woman farrier might just be the ticket for success, but only if you sense that she will work in the manner that YOU think is appropriate for this filly.  I would disclose to her the filly`s passed experience and ask what and how she would approach the situation.

Please keep us posted with your progress

Bud

Thanks I will let you know. I felt like the farrier didnt have the right idea. She is a pro at letting me handle her feet and most other people.I had a stranger watching while the farrier was trying to get close to her. I told the stranger to walk up to her and see if he could pick up her foot and she just stood there like an old pro and let him handle her feet no problems.  That made me realise It is definitely a farrier issue. It has got to be the smell or the way he walks towards her. I will let you know how the female farrier works out! Hopefully she has more patience and a better understanding. Appreciate all the help. We will keep working at it.

Oh dear god, no wonder your poor filly is scared - what a terrible experience for him. Ignore everything your farrier says! Bud is right, he should not be around horses! You have time don't worry, you are doing a great job with her.

I just thought I would update everyone. I had the female farrier come out. She was a terrified mess in the beginning but the farrier worked with us for two hours and by the end she got all four feet done with no one even holding onto the lead rope it was just lying on the ground. It was amazing and I have never been so relieved.   The right farrier really really makes a difference I am glad i looked elsewhere. Thank you for all of your advise and support. I am sure I will be back with more questions as we continue our training! 

I haven''t had anything to add to the answers already given here, so I have just followed the development, and CONGRATULATIONS to a wonderful success!
Good for you finding such a great horse woman/farrier who knew just what to do with your filly. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

Fantastic news, really pleased for you; good on you for sticking to your principles!