If measuring the foot for and building a shoe, Jacob Butler says consistency is the key in building your system. That system comes as a result of experience.
Building relationships with clients and knowing when to let them go may sound as easy as saying hello and goodbye, but there are a few things farriers should keep in mind when developing and ending client relationships that can make everything go a little more smoothly.
As described in detail on pages 24 and 25 of the March 2015 issue of American Farriers Journal, several recent surveys reveal significant differences between what farriers believe clients are seeking in terms of footcare information and what horse owners say they really want.
For the past 27 years, readers have relied on our November issue to deliver practical business information. This issue has focused on the non-footcare aspects of the farrier profession. The articles are intended to help farriers build better business practices through tested advice provided by other farriers.
When the owner takes an active role in hoof care the farrier and, ultimately, the horse are the beneficiaries. However, it can be difficult to get that buy-in with novice horse owners because many of them are new to owning horses and inexperienced in their understanding of equine care and handling.
Whether you shoe in a palace of a barn or mud hole, every farrier at one time or another faces a familiar question: how do you handle a fractious horse?
The greatest danger to a farrier practice is complacency, according to Dave Farley. He recalls many farriers who had the business and income that they wanted because they believed change would never come. The Coshocton, Ohio, and Wellington, Fla., farrier told attendees at the early November 2014 Cornell Farrier Conference that this mindset allows someone who is hungrier to pass by the complacent farrier.
I'm sure you have clients who raise your blood pressure as soon as you see their name on your schedule. After years of hard work building a solid business, getting rid of clients seems to fly in the face of your desire to increase your client base and income. But firing clients may just be what your business and your mental health need.
Greg Martin, CJF, of Boerne, Texas, takes the unique approach of marketing his hoof-care practice with a Christmas parade float in Boerne and Comfort, Texas. The award-winning float boasts a variety of surprising features.
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 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.
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.