Nothing beats sound horses as a means for keeping your clients happy. However, a farrier business is a service-based business and it is important to pay attention to more than just trimming feet and nailing shoes on feet.
While there are still many challenges, it appears that the equine industry is beginning to recover from its disastrous 2008 recession. This is based on the percentage of respondents owning horses or competing with them at the same or higher levels than 2 years ago.
Recent events have taken a toll on various horse people and animals through this extraordinary drought and fire season that we have experienced in the West.
Gerard Laverty, who teaches farriery at Kwantlen Polytechnical University in Surrey, British Columbia, says the recent economic downtown is the first one he's seen that will have a major effect on the horse and hoof-care business since he came to North American from his native Northern Ireland in 1981.
For hundreds of years, books on horseshoeing have followed a very similar format. The books have focused exclusively on the mechanical aspect of shoeing. Some reflect the author's passion for the forge while others focus on shoeing to overcome numerous gait and lameness issues.
The business end of working with performance horses doesn't appeal to everyone. If that is your case, but you would prefer to work within these various disciplines, Esco Buff suggests joining a multi-farrier practice. Besides avoiding the aggravations that can accompany a business, you will be closer to a guaranteed salary than if you are a business owner/operator.
Being successful in the farrier business takes a well-rounded package of skills. It's not enough to be able to shoe every horse regardless of its foot problems.
In this episode, Mark Ellis, a Wisconsin farrier who learned the ropes with Renchin, recalls Red’s relationships with area veterinarians, his legacy and the second career as American Farriers Journal’s technical editor.
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.