The transition from a horseshoeing school student to a full-time farrier can be rough, even for those who graduate at the top of their class. New graduates and those just starting their horseshoeing business understand the challenges you’ll face, regardless of education and skill.

In 2008, American Farriers Journal established the Rising Shoeing Star award program. This program honors farriers for making outstanding career progress in their first 3 years out of horseshoeing school. Along with farrier industry suppliers, this program promotes the importance of education and encourages new farriers to succeed.

Sponsors of the 2013 program include Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center, G.E. Forge & Tool, Life Data Labs, R.J. Matthews Co., Purcell Farrier Supply, Vettec and American Farriers Journal.

This year’s program honored three up-and-coming farriers who graduated from horseshoeing school in 2009 and have spent the past 3 years establishing their equine footcare careers. The farriers honored include Jake Giguere of Smithers, British Columbia; Justin Court of La Grange, Ky.; and Wayne Whitson of Viola, Del.

Giguere took home the top honor at the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit. A graduate of the Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif., Giguere did well in school and made an impression on Bob Smith, owner of the school.

“Jake is a people person,” recalls Smith. “He’s very likable and was always ready to help any of the other students.

“His ability to connect with people, his upbeat attitude and enthusiasm for shoeing are what marked him for success.”

In addition, Giguere scored high point on the forge during school and earned the third-highest final shoeing score in the history of the school.

Jake Giguere, right, receiving the Rising Shoeing Star award at the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit from American Farriers Journal Editor/Publisher Frank Lessiter.

Giguere shares some of the challenges he faced after graduation and how he dealt with them. He also provides some insight into how he maintains his successful horseshoeing business.

Q: What were the major obstacles you faced in getting started?

A:A major challenge for me was figuring out my time frame. How long will it take to complete the work I have to do? Also, building long-term, trusting relationships with my clients was difficult.

Q: How did you spend the first 6 months after graduation?

A: I started building a solid client base and made horseshoeing a full-time job. I also began working closely with area veterinarians on therapeutic cases.

Q: Looking back, what were the biggest mistakes you made? 

A: My biggest mistake was not saying “no” right away to taking on new clients, but that quickly changed.

Another mistake I made was thinking I could shoe horses every day without taking time to stay in good shape, eating and resting properly. After I started doing this, everything got a lot better.

Q: What were the smartest moves you made in getting started?

A: The best thing I did was to go to other farriers in the area and ask them for advice. I’d ride with them to their appointments and get used to their daily routines. Also, attending a farrier school certainly got me headed in the right direction and has given me a lot more opportunities.

Q: What resources, other than schooling, did you find most helpful?

A: The resources I found most helpful were going to clinics, attending the International Hoof-Care Summit, calling other farriers for advice and reading textbooks and other farrier-related material. 

Q: What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received?

A: Someone told me to keep an open mind, keep learning and don’t be scared to ask questions.

Q: What do you wish you would’ve and/or wouldn’t have done while you were still in school that may have benefited you after graduation?

A: I wish I had ridden around with some of the farriers in the area where I attended school. It would’ve been helpful to see how they ran their practices and to be able to get out in the field with them just to have more of a “mind opener.”

Q: What other suggestions do you have for graduates?

A: Don’t walk away from a job that you’re not happy with. Keep an open mind and don’t stop learning. Look after yourself by keeping in shape and eating properly. Have mentors to look up to. Pay attention to the horses you work on and do your best every time.