Miller's Total Balance Therapies

Miller's Total Balance Therapies will be closed May 30-June 13. If you are needing massages of any type or farrier work done before that, please be sure to contact us to get on the schedule. We will try to work everyone in as best as we can. There is already a wait time on some services so be sure to schedule now if you think you will need something.

The Rant Of The Jaded Farrier. (Advice in last stanza) My phone rang late last evening; Was a woman with a horse I’m lookin’ for a Farrier,... Before his hooves get any worse. I’m pretty much full-up. I said. But curiosity had me piqued When did you trim him last? I asked. Four months ago, last week. His toes are pretty long. she said. Otherwise, he looks OK. I ran my hand down o’er my face, As I debated what to say. But she continued quickly, They just won’t come out to my home And I never get an answer To my messages on their phone. You mean you can’t find a Farrier? I asked to clarify Already pretty sure I knew The many reasons why. So I told her most won’t come back, If she kept leaving trims so long, Of if her horse was dangerous; But she said I’d got it wrong. So I booked her for next Tuesday, And I carried on with Life Grumbling ‘bout the bullshit in Our Industry that’s rife. Spring’s an awkward time for horses; Hooves buried fetlock deep in mud Saturated, overgrown, and Flare grooves crammed with crud. Warm weather and their winter coat Divert their heat-making trait, Into a sudden wall growth spurt That collapses ‘neath their weight. As I pulled into her driveway, My eyes confirmed what I had thought A mud pit for a paddock on A sloping, wooded plot. Where abouts is your work station? I asked as I grabbed my tools My what? She asked, with worried eyes; As we sloshed from pool to pool. Where do you pick your horse’s feet? Or brush him before you ride? Where do you work when the Vet is here? Or shoeing him, where’s he tied? We stopped beside a leaning gate As she pointed towards the horse In there. She said, staring back, But you can tie him up, of course. Unfortunately, I was old; Disillusioned, tired, and pissed That Owners expected quality work In an environment like this. Andbefore I had a chance to think, I heard myself explaining No way a Farrier can work in there. No wonder they’re complaining. We need a place that’s dry and flat; With light, and room to move It’s impossible to see a thing If he keeps burying his hooves! Well the last Guy didn’t seem to mind! She shot back with a smirk. In fact he was quite polite She clearly thought I was a jerk. In for a penny, in for a pound; Well I’m not some two-bit Hack. We’re accountable for the job we leave. No wonder Folks don’t come back. You’re torturing your horse out there. He’s suffering constant pain Stressing the navicular bursa From the flexor tendon strain. And the tearing of the lamina From the leverage of that toe It’s not enough just feeding him. There’s so much more to know. I dragged the stall mat sections From the back of my pickup truck; Laid them out and waved my arm, Bring him here, outta that muck. The poor ol’ Sod hobbled over; Pigeon toed, with drooping neck; But at the sight of the black stall mats He slammed his brakes and stood erect. They were a hole into the bowels of Hell: I’m sure was what he thought; As he spun around in circles Trying to avoid them at any cost. Then he wouldn’t keep his foot between My knees as I trimmed his frog But the hoof-stand had him frantic - That first foot was a half-hour slog. He’d yank it away, and slam it down; I’d fight it up, now packed with ice, Mixed with mud, and I’d squeeze my knees Like a geriatric vice. I’d start all over, and get it cleaned, And line my nippers up with the toe When he’d crab his hinds beneath his gut, And rearing skyward, up we’d go. Now, I could always blame the Handler, But that wouldn’t be the truth ‘Cause it’s pretty hard to hold a horse If he don’t want you near his hoof. By the time I had the near front done My three mats had been ripped apart Squashed in a hoof-mashed crater And I’d barely made a start! I thought about a Scotch hobble, But we’d both end up on our face And I knew that if I mentioned twitch, She’d likely run me off the place. So like the definition of insanity I just went back for more Didn’t bother with a leg strap, Or if the Owner was keepin’ score. Eventually, I got him finished, Watched him plod back through the slop Dragon slayed, but the price I’d paid Showed me why the Others stopped. Back at home I worked the numbers - An hour there and an hour back, Plus two hours pain for forty bucks gain, Before that Devil threw his slack. Yet they think that we’re over charging Sing the blues like Aretha’s choir But since my patience cracks as fast as my back, It’s prob’ly time that I retire. So the takeaway, if you’re listenin’ And you want your horses’ feet well-treated - Flat, dry, and clean, and light so they’re seen, With Winter bonus points if it’s heated. (wts29/3/2021)

Jerry has had his workout all ready this morning. This beauty makes it all worth the effort.

Folks, we just want to send out a friendly reminder to be courteous when having to cancel or reschedule your appointments. Things are quite hectic in both Jerry and Misty's schedules. It has gotten crazy enough that Jerry has been forced to close his books to new Farrier clients and if Misty doesn't find another Massage Therapist, she will be forced to close her books to new clients as well. She is so busy that she is booked solid 3 weeks out and that is filling up fast as we...ll. We ask that if you have to cancel your appointments that you give at least 24 hours notice so that we may kindly adapt the schedule to move someone else into that spot that might be waiting. We seem to be having a lot of no shows and forgetfuls. We have attempted to not charge for no shows but we will be forced to begin charging a fee if this continues. It has been discussed previously but we don't want to have to do this to our customers. So please...PLEASE, be courteous and notify us ahead of time if you will not be able to keep your appointments.

A while back, we had a contest that at 750 likes on our page we would give away a FREE 60 minute massage. Our lucky winner is Polly Craker. Please contact us to collect your winnings.

Congratulations to our winners of our Christmas Hams and Turkeys! Christmas Hams go to Dixie Baker Veronnica McDonald... Mickenzie Beck Christmas Turkeys Tammy Hellyer Libby McCray Please contact us to be able to pick up your Christmas gifts!

We are still in the spirit of giving folks! Miller's Total Balance Therapies will be giving away 3 Tavern hams and also, we will be giving away 2 Smoked turkeys from Ashley's Pub. All you have to do is Like our page, Like this post, and Share this Post. We will draw our lucky Winners on December 22nd, 2020. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas. And may the true blessings of Christmas be most abundant this holiday season.

Beginning December 21, all Gift Certificates are on sale. This special will run through Christmas Eve. 30 minutes for $30 60 minutes for $50 90 minutes for $80 120 minutes for $100... You may call, text, message or stop by the office to pick up your gift certificates. Please call before stopping. Miller's Total Balance Therapies 119 Washington St Spartansburg, Pa 16434 (814) 964-9818