Completing farrier school represents a significant accomplishment. It also represents a significant step as a full-time professional and, most often, small business owner. You will face challenges that will test your resolve. The good news is that there are resources to help — your fellow farriers.
There are many equine professionals that you will work with throughout your career. One of the most important relationships you can build is with equine veterinarians. Together, farriers and vets develop solutions to help the horse. Both need to understand their respective roles to keep the horse’s health above all else — especially egos.
Attending and graduating from farrier school will help you lay the groundwork for a successful career — but if you want to continue to improve in your skills and develop as a hoof-care practitioner, it is only the beginning. Industry leaders point to an increasing emphasis on continuing education and professionalism in the farrier world, and the ongoing need to add to your knowledge and skills.
If you control your debt, you control your life. Not all debt is bad, like a lot of gurus will have you believe, especially when you’re running a small business. Sometimes, you have some stuff called good debt, but you just have to be able to control it.
The quality of equipment you have will play an essential role in the quality of work you will deliver as a farrier. Equipment also will be one of your main investments when you are just starting out. With so many options and prices that run the gamut, how do you decide what to purchase? Three successful farriers with offer their insight on making smart tool and equipment purchases.
Reading the American Association of Professional Farriers Credentialing Study Guide, I came across a quote that impacted me. “No one cares about how much you know, until they know how much you care,” wrote Mike Hayward.
As your shoeing career pro-gresses, you are going to have clients who raise your blood pressure as soon as you see their name on your schedule. After working hard to build 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 just might be what your business and your mental health need.
Building a successful farrier practice from the ground up is challenging for many farrier school graduates. They will encounter a variety of struggles, often due to a lack of business knowledge. Failure to make enough money during the first few years, causes some new farriers to leave the field. Also, many don’t have the inner drive needed to build a business.
Many factors have contributed to Curtis Burns’ success as a farrier over the past 25 years. However, he says one simple rule had the strongest influence on his business.
“I never took on a new client who wasn’t as good or better than my best client,” says the Wellington, Fla., farrier.
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.