American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Advertise Follow Us
Don't Cheat Yourself
How to bury your shoeing trip charge
What's wrong with these scenarios?
Number 1
You make an appointment to shoe six horses at your going rate, but when you arrive, only three are available. You would have made money shoeing six, but with only three, your profit is eaten up by the cost of driving to the barn.
Number 2
Your receipt includes a trip charge to protect you from being out of pocket on long trips. You encourage customers to get together so they can split the charge. Then one customer doesn’t show up for the appointment. You’re too embarrassed to charge the other customer for the whole trip charge because you’d told him on the phone that each customer would pay only half the amount.
What do you do?
- Get mad at the customer who missed
- Get rid of both customers so you don’t have to worry about splitting a trip charge
- Get mad at yourself for suggesting that the two customers get together
- Crawl home with your tail between your legs, reminding yourself that you can’t count your nails until they’ve been clinched
Number 3
Customers with one or two horses keep calling you and you know it’s not worth your time to do the shoeing. Maybe you come right out and say, “You don’t have enough work for me.” Maybe you weasel your way out, with “I’m too busy,” or “You’ll have to wait 3 months.” Maybe you take the unprofessional way out and simply don’t return the phone call.
The Problem
Basically…
Premium content is for our Digital-only and Premium subscribers. A Print-only subscription doesn't qualify. Please purchase/upgrade a subscription with the Digital product to get access to all American Farriers Journal content and archives online.
Top Articles
Current Issue
Plenty of Hoof-Care Growth in 50 Years
Celebrating 2 Decades of Extraordinary Hoof-Care Learning
Butler’s Insights Hold Strong
Current Issue
Special Report For Equine Veterinarians
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Must Read Free Eguides
Download these helpful knowledge building tools
- Caring for Your Horse During a Pandemic
- CBD Products Have Promise for Farriers, but Buyer Beware
- Sharpening Knives with a Buffer
- Winter Hoof Care
Videos
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary
American Farriers Journal is excited and honored to celebrate its 50th anniversary of publishing the hands-on magazine for hoof-care professionals. Learn more about our special edition, which comes out in December 2024.
Events
Michigan Horseshoers Association 55th Annual Clinic
Date: 01/02/25
Location: Lansing, MI
View Event
Top Directory Listings
Life Data Labs Inc
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
Kawell USA
Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
SmartPak
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.