By nature of the profession, farriers are susceptible to feelings of isolation. Driving long distances to and from clients every day, sometimes without company and in rural areas, can negatively impact anyone’s mental health

“Humans are made for and need community,” says Tiffany Gardner, CJF, APF-I, DipWCF. “We need each other, but in today’s world, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to connect with people, to even make the most basic connections.”

Gardner is familiar with the effects of isolation but also how to make choices that foster a positive attitude and build community. At the 2024 International Hoof-Care Summit, Gardner explains that her own isolation was a consequence of her choices and mindset.

Long term, people who are able to forge connections with others, build community support and adopt a growth vs. a fixed mindset will be the most successful in their practice and most fulfilled in their personal lives. Resisting social and physical isolation means choosing to do so each time the opportunity arises. This takes practice and determination, especially in a computer-driven society designed to isolate.

Physical vs. Social Isolation

Physical isolation, being alone or cut off from others, is not always a negative thing, Gardner says. You may be an introvert if you generally prefer your own company to that of others.

“This might represent many farriers, as a lot of us prefer to work in solitude, to get away from the craziness and busyness of our lives,” she says. “The practice of solitude is not the same…