Running a successful hoof-care practice relies on more than simply keeping your clients’ horses sound. Good customer service practices are proven to help retain clients.
This FREE downloadable eGuide immediately offers you a collection of practical advice from 29 Hall Of Famers, who have more than 830 years of combined hoof-care experience. Each was interviewed on various subjects they thought every farrier should know that could help you avoid some of the more common mistakes that occur in equine footcare.
Growing up, I spent a lot of time around the world's best farriers as they came to our home and were trained by my father, Dr. Doug Butler. I was able to work side-by-side with many of them as they became master craftsmen and learned the fundamentals of farriery. I also have worked and consulted with farriers from around the world.
While a new farrier’s top priority is the care of hooves, you’ve got to be equally concerned with earning a living and dealing with the numerous business aspects of the profession. This means knowing what it really costs you to trim and shoe horses.
Some farriers you know will fail in the industry and it won't have anything to do with the horses's foot. Despite being good farriers, they won't make it in the industry because they ignore the business of hoof care.
The definition of continuing education is as it reads - there's no mystery there. Farriery is a lifelong endeavor, but sadly there are many farriers who believe that once they can trim or nail a shoe on a horse, they are done learning. Nothing could be further from the truth. Trimming a hoof, shaping a shoe and nailing it on are just the beginning. Only then are you ready to really start learning.
Farriers are aware that theirs is a potentially hazardous occupation. Anytime a significant part of the workday is spent standing underneath animals that can weigh well over 1,000 pounds, while picking up one of its feet, there's obviously a chance that something could go wrong.
When you finish with school, you may want to dabble with a variety of horses and disciplines, working under experts in the fields and also learning from your own mistakes. However, you may eventually find a specific discipline or breed that you want to focus your practice on.
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.