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)
- Lack of nutrition knowledge
- Over- or under-feeding correct amounts of feed
- Providing balanced diet of feed and supplements
- Preference for less expensive, lower quality feed
- Willingness to feed low quality feed, forage
- Lack of daily consistency with feeds and supplements
- Misinformation about nutrition
- Too many nutritional products to choose from
— Survey of 2020 International Hoof-Care Summit attendees
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