A Career Guide For The New Farrier Tenth Edition (2018)

This special publication is published once per year by American Farriers Journal. The career guide delivers advice from farriers on how to establish and operate a successful equine footcare practice.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Build Upon The Foundation Laid By Farrier School

By Jeff Cota posted on July 24, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Congratulations on taking the first step toward establishing your equine hoof-care business. Farrier school is a great start, but your education doesn’t stop with your name on a diploma.
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6 Critical Lessons to Learn in Shoeing School

By Jack Roth posted on July 24, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education, Safety & Healthcare

I have taught horseshoeing for more than 40 years to more students than anybody else ever has. Most of my graduates have gone on to shoe horses professionally and made a living for themselves and their families.
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Life As A Farrier? Start Here

By Chris Gregory posted on July 24, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Congratulations on your choice of industries. If it becomes for you half of what it has been for me, you are in for a great life. There are few jobs or industries that I know of that will give back like this one, so enjoy the ride.
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The Importance of Education and Apprenticeships

By Mitch Taylor posted on July 24, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

It’s important for the farrier school graduate and the mentor to understand the definition of the word “apprentice” before either individual enters into a working relationship.
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Mistakes to Avoid When Beginning Your Career

By Madison Schultz posted on July 25, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices

So, you’ve graduated farrier school or finished an apprenticeship and are ready to launch your own farrier business. You might be thinking, “What are my next steps? How can I stand out from other farriers? What does it take to run my own business?”
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What Farriers and Horse Owners Can Expect from One Another

By Doug Butler posted on July 25, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Horse owners have many expectations of a farrier. Recognizing and positively acting upon horse owner expectations are critical aspects of building a successful farrier business. Ignoring those expectations will negatively affect a farrier’s ability to build a successful business.
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Continuing Education is a Key to Success

By Ron Perszewski posted on July 25, 2018 | Posted in Education

Are you as good a farrier today as you will ever be? Do your current abilities guarantee you will have a successful career? Graduating from farrier school won’t be enough. Industry leaders point to an increasing emphasis on continuing education and professionalism in the farrier world — the ongoing need to add to your knowledge and skills.
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Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring Clients

By Jaime Elftman posted on July 26, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education

Hi, you’re a farrier, right? Can you come out here and shoe my horses?” Every farrier takes a phone call like this. In an ideal and unrealistic world, clients come prescreened. Instead, it’s necessary to ask questions and gain some knowledge about that horse and client before you say “yes.” Every farrier has certain questions to ask potential clients.
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Identify Problem Clients and Discharge Them

By Bob Smith posted on July 26, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education

As your shoeing career progresses, you are going to have clients who raise your blood pressure as soon as you see their name on your schedule. After working hard to build a solid business, getting rid of clients seems to fly in the face of your desire to increase your client base and income. But firing clients just might be what your business and your mental health need.
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Your Costs Help Determine the Prices You Set

This article was originally published July 27, 2018 and has been updated.

By Jeremy McGovern posted on August 3, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

There are differences in how every farrier approaches his or her business. Still, the most common and effective way to manage the finances of a farrier business remains knowing what it costs to shoe a horse.
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Selecting the Best Retirement Plan for Your Future

By Ron Perszewski posted on July 27, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

As a self-employed farrier, enrolling in an employer-sponsored retirement plan isn’t an option. You’re on your own and you want to get serious about saving for retirement by opening a dedicated account, but where do you start? How do you maximize your investment? Is there something better than a standard savings account that offers minimal interest payments? And if you get a late start on retirement savings, can you make up ground somehow?
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Give Your Practice A Technological Advantage

By Katie Navarra posted on July 28, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education, Equipment

Farriery is a centuries old profession that hasn’t changed much at its core. However, in this day and age, technology can help take your hoof-care business to the next level. Technology is underutilized in farriery, though. While 67% of farriers carry a smartphone, only 51% use computers in their footcare business, according to the most recent American Farriers Journal Farrier Business Practices Survey.
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Filling Your Shoeing Box For The First Time

By Ron Perszewski posted on July 28, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

What equipment do you really need to start earning a living as a farrier? Three highly successful farriers with insight into the tool industry offer their thoughts. If you’ve learned fundamental hoof-care techniques, you’ve already made the most important acquisition, according to Dan Bradley.
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Avoiding Burnout: Heed the Warning Signs for Stress

By Jeff Cota posted on July 29, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Education, Safety & Healthcare

Harry Trosin loved his job. The Oklahoma shoer simply couldn’t wait to get to work each morning for more than 30 years. Then it all changed.
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How Would You Handle These Ethical Concerns About Footcare?

July 29, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices

On day 1 of your footcare business — as an apprentice or out on your own — you will face tough challenge that you must resolve using your code of ethics. Some of these challenges will be simple to overcome, while others will present potential outcomes that will be difficult for you to answer without negative consequences for one party.
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Career Advice From A Farrier Who Was In Your Place

By Mollie Nelson posted on July 30, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Completing farrier school is an event that sparks transformation: a former student suddenly becomes a professional farrier, and from there, often progresses to being a small business owner. The first few years can bring many challenges, but also insight gained through experience. Stanley Mullen of Selwyn, New Zealand, is familiar with this, having graduated in 2015 from the Kentucky Horseshoeing School in Richmond, Ky.
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Digital Edition

Digital Edition

Getting Started in Hoof Care 2018 Digital Edition

August 1, 2018

Login to view the 2018 issue of Getting Started in Hoof Care in an interactive, flipbook format.

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