How Farrier Attitudes Changed Over 2 Months as to How COVID-19 Affected Their Footcare Business

  Responses
Business Challenges  March 19-30  April 17-22 
It hasn’t affected my business at all 25% 36%
Area horse shows, rodeos races, etc., cancelled 52% 43%
Clients stretched out appointments or changed footcare needs 43% 42%
Clients lapsed in paying on time more so than normal 6% 7%
Live in an area where it’s recommended that I self-quarantine, thus I’m not servicing clients 6% 4%
Barns have banned outside professionals, including farriers 7% 5%
Limited client services due to travel restrictions  7%  6%
Spending more time disinfecting before and after interacting with horses, clients, trainers etc. 36% 35%
Unable to leave home because kids are out of school or have to take kids with me in truck 3% 2%
Other reasons 9% 15%

— 2020 American Farriers Journal email surveys

What are the Biggest Challenges Owners Face in Feeding Their Horses? (Listed in order of most frequently identified by farriers)             

  1. Lack of nutrition knowledge
  2. Over- or under-feeding correct amounts of feed
  3. Providing balanced diet of feed and supplements
  4. Preference for less expensive, lower quality feed
  5. Willingness to feed low quality feed, forage
  6. Lack of daily consistency with feeds and supplements
  7. Misinformation about nutrition
  8. Too many nutritional products to choose from

— Survey of 2020 International Hoof-Care Summit attendees

 

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