Building a successful farrier practice from the ground up is challenging for many farrier school graduates. They will encounter a variety of struggles, often due to a lack of business knowledge. Failure to make enough money during the first few years, causes some new farriers to leave the field. Also, many don’t have the inner drive needed to build a business.

However, these struggles do not have to end a beginning farrier’s business before it starts. By implementing a few often-overlooked steps you can increase your chances of success in your farrier practice.

Establish a Farrier Support System

One common mistake that farriers make when starting their business is trying to go it alone. Many believe that they can run their business without help, or a support system. There is a simple way of rectifying this issue. When you are building your business, find successful farriers in your area willing to let you spend time with them.

Spending time with farriers in your area can accomplish many things for your business. First, it builds a network of support for you when you start your practice. Launching a farrier practice is challenging, but it becomes easier if you have a few successful farriers supporting you. But that’s only one of many benefits of working with other farriers.

If the farriers in your area have a good relationship with you, they will pass on unwanted work. Also, by working with other farriers you will get exposure to things you may not have seen before. You can learn from every farrier. Even if the only thing you learn is what not to do, you still learned something.

Working with other farriers can also expose you to other equine professionals: veterinarians, trainers, equine masseuses and equine chiropractors. This will begin to build your reputation and increase your name recognition in the equine community. First impressions are important so be sure to leave a good first impression with the other equine professionals you meet. Riding with other farriers is vital to starting a farrier practice, but it is a step that is often skipped when starting a farrier business.

Get to Know the Veterinary Community

One of the biggest mistakes I made when starting my business was not making my local veterinarians my allies. Instead, I made an enemy of a few of the local vets in my area early in my career. Although the relationships have been mended and I have a good working relationship with most of my local veterinarians now, this enmity was a huge hindrance to starting my business.

Having a good relationship with your local vets when starting a farrier business is crucial. When trying to develop a client base, your local vets are one of your best resources. Farriers often neglect this vital resource when starting a practice. In order for vets to help you get your business started, they first have to know you exist. Introduce yourself to the vets. Ask to get coffee with them, or bring their office doughnuts. Anything to get your name on their radar.

After you’ve introduced yourself, consider asking the local vets who specialize in treating lameness if they would be willing to let you ride with them to get some exposure. This accomplishes two things for your practice. First, it shows the vet you are committed to learning and seeking a good relationship with the veterinarians in your area. Second, it allows you to meet potential clients and gets you exposure to local barns.

One word of caution: Do not poach another farrier’s clients. Poaching will ultimately give you a bad reputation. Just like veterinarians, other farriers can be valuable allies or horrible enemies. What they are to your business is largely up to you. Make sure you take the necessary steps to ensure that other equine professionals are your allies.

Limit Your Overhead

Often times when farriers first start out, they struggle with the business and financial side of being a farrier. One mistake is making unnecessary purchases. Being a minimalist is very important when starting a business. In order to make money, it is important to limit overhead. There are two easy ways to do this.

• Limit inventory by being able to forge modifications into shoes.
• Resist the urge to buy the most expensive tools and equipment when less expensive items will work just as well. You can still have a professional setup without spending money you don’t have.

It is important to be frugal. If you get yourself in a hole financially early in your career, it is hard to dig your way out when you may have minimal income.

Keep Learning

One of the many other steps to being a successful farrier is to not isolate yourself from the wider farrier community. If you only shoe in your little corner of the world, you are never exposed to other methods and practices that could help you become a better farrier. Growth is vital for every farrier. If your growth stagnates, your business will never improve. If you’re always striving to improve and be better you will ultimately be successful since you will have the drive to reach the top.

The way many farriers continue to enhance their education and connect with the farrier community is by attending continuing education events. Also, as a farrier starting a business you need to join your local farrier associations and national associations. This gets you exposed to other successful farriers, allowing you to learn from their experiences.

When new farriers start a business they often try to go it alone. Working with other farriers is a great way to learn and network with other hoof-care professionals.

Start Good Business Habits Early

Many farriers when starting their business haven’t had the time to develop the professionalism necessary for a successful practice. This development may take time. In order to show to your clients and potential clients that you are a professional farrier there are two simple steps you can take to start moving your practice in that direction.

1. Respond to phone calls and text messages in a timely manner.
2. Arrive on time to scheduled appointments.

A common client complaint is that many farriers fail to deliver on those very simple tasks. Answering inquiries in a timely manner and arriving on time will go a long way in establishing you as a professional.

Don’t Undervalue Your Work

Another common mistake farriers make when building their practice is undervaluing their work. Doing so has negative effects on a farrier practice. When you don’t charge enough for your work several problems will arise. First, you will attract undesirable clientele, which might lead you to working on more difficult horses and putting yourself in bad situations.

Second, keeping a lot of undesirable clients will make it difficult to attract those who are more desirable. Good clients will stay away if you are too cheap; they believe you will not provide quality work no matter how qualified you may be.

Perception is reality in the client’s mind, so try to be seen in a positive light.

Dig Deep and Keep Pushing

The drive to be successful probably is the most important attribute to have when starting a business. Starting a farrier practice is like driving up a steep hill. If the business owner is not driven and constantly on the accelerator, pushing forward, they will roll back down the hill to rock bottom. When you feel discouraged, remember, anything worth having requires hard work.

Building a farrier practice is challenging. It can also be one of the most rewarding things you can do in your professional life. If you avoid the common pitfalls that have entrapped many a young farrier, you will be able to start developing a successful practice. All it takes is dedication and a lot of hard work.