If a horse injured you tomorrow and you were no longer able to work as a farrier, what is Plan B? Maybe that injury is so severe that you not only can’t work as a farrier, but you are also physically unable to work in another occupation. What would the day after tomorrow look like?

In this issue, we update readers with our exclusive survey of farriers on how COVID-19 has affected their businesses. While the good news continues that most who responded haven’t been negatively affected or only slightly impacted, this survey has reminded of an issue affecting some farriers that makes that hypothetical of career-ending injury even more concerning.

Some Exposed Financially

In this survey, we asked farriers a number of questions related to the current circumstances of the pandemic and how they have influenced their business practices. One question asked what measures have been taken to protect your business from unexpected loss of work. About 25% of those who answered indicated they haven’t made any changes.

Considering the vast majority also report that their businesses are unaffected or are optimistic about the future, perhaps the reason they are in that group is that they have solid protection plans in place. However, almost all of those who are pessimistic about the future of their practices have not made changes to protect their practices long-term and will begin to strategize on their long-term future.

Protect Your Future

The results remind that failing to prepare for life after farriery…