When it comes to their attitudes about farriers, survey data indicates horse owners have made major gains over the past 3 decades. It’s apparently because farriers are placing more emphasis on developing their hoof-care skills, acting more professional, becoming better business managers and adopting the latest technology to make farrier-to-client communication much easier.

Each November and December, Red Renchin’s footcare clients always asked how much he was going to increase trimming and shoeing prices at the start of the new year. They knew the farrier from Mequon, Wis., would be bumping up his prices anywhere from 3%-6%.