The prices of a decent rig can be overwhelming when you’re straight out of farrier school. Often, expenses such as school tuition, equipment and supplies can get in the way of purchasing a new rig. When new graduates are unable to afford a vital part of their farriery practice, it makes it hard for them to feel they can succeed within the industry. Knowing how to plan, budget and build for the future can help up-and-coming farriers construct the perfect, affordable rig to assist them day-to-day and help them succeed in the industry.
Feeling discouraged by the prices of rigs, Tyler Jones from Daphne, Ala., created a startup budget-friendly rig. Right out of Lookout Mountain School of Horseshoeing in Gadsden, Ala., he started noticing the prices of high-end farrier rigs.
“I remember getting in the truck with Lane McNew in Gadsden, Ala., and heading down the mountain with a fully loaded aluminum trailer behind us,” Jones says. “I remember thinking I’ll never make it to this level of success. I don’t have the money to do this.”
Takeaways
- An efficient mobile workstation doesn’t have to break the bank.
- A well-designed enclosed truck bed works well while you establish your practice.
- Consult your mentor, colleagues and manufacturers to design a rig that fits your needs.
He realized, however, that farriers don’t necessarily need a lot of money to make their dream rig a reality.
“I had an idea in my head of what I wanted my rig to be and how I wanted it to function,” he says, “but the ideas on paper vs. what will actually work can be quite different.”
Growing up, he worked in fabrication and welding, so he was easily able to pick apart aspects of various high-end rigs to make one of his very own.
The driver’s side of Jones’ truck includes a pair of drill presses, a Dewalt band saw and a cooler. Tyler Jones
Knowing the cost of the pieces he would need to build an efficient rig, Jones reached out to mentors Andy Gumpert and Neal Purdy at Finger Lakes Manufacturing in Ocala, Fla., who took the initiative to help. They assembled it, which made it possible to stick to a budget and still afford everything he would eventually need as a farrier. He installed various pieces of equipment including an anvil, a forge double burner, a Baldor grinder, two drill presses and a welding machine. He also installed a cooler, fans, lights and a sound system. Because of his thrifty, outside-the-box thinking, he was even able to afford various custom pieces for his rig, whereas a rig on the market would have cost exponentially more than he could have bought straight out of farrier school.
Jones’ rig was fully operational after only 3 months of construction. Initially, he planned to upgrade after a few years. However, after dedicating the time, money and effort to building his rig, he plans to continue with this one for a while longer. Much like when he is shoeing, Jones adds his own style and personality. The same can be said for his budget-friendly rig.
Jones now uses his new rig to trim and shoe a variety of horses, including those participating in jumping events, dressage and rodeo. With all his equipment easily within reach, he can be sure that he can properly and efficiently do his job. When a farrier does not have the proper equipment or rig, it can be at the detriment of the horse, owner and farrier.
Jones created an efficient shoeing rig that features a swing out anvil, forge and grinder, as well as storage for equipment such as his hoof stand, propane bottle and fly spray. It also includes storage drawers with special latches that prevent them from opening during transport. The rig even has a stereo installed in the ceiling (inset). Tyler Jones
Having the Want to Succeed
Jones mentions the importance of having the “want to succeed and going against the norms.” When he first graduated from Lookout Mountain School of Horseshoeing, he couldn’t imagine his goals and ambitions coming true due to the expensive costs of starting out. However, after taking the initiative to make them happen, he realized that was not the case.
“You need ‘want to,’” he says. “If your mentors see you trying to succeed, they want to be a part of that.”
The passenger side of Jones’ truck features a storage box (left), a horseshoe rack (inset) and pad storage above the shoe rack. A fan is installed in the ceiling behind the pad storage. Tyler Jones
With a few mentors, a budget and the “want” to be a farrier, Jones was able to completely design his own rig to pursue his ambitions. The rig has helped him in his career as a farrier, and Jones is hopeful it will continue to help him provide great hoof care.
This rig may even be an option for other up-and-coming farriers straight out of school or sticking to a budget. Jones hopes that his budget-friendly rig will inspire others and help them to continue their farrier journey.
Learn More Online
Farriers from around the world rely on mobile workstations in their work. These rigs and trailers don’t just serve as storage for tools and equipment. Rather, they help ensure hoof-care professionals can provide the best service in the most efficient manner possible for the horse.
