Articles by Jeremy McGovern

Farrier Tips

Don’t Underestimate the Value of Experience When Setting Hoof-Care Prices

By Jeremy McGovern posted on December 3, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Take a horse that is shod all around. Its owner shops around and finds a farrier with 5 years experience charging $100 vs. a 40-year farrier charging $200. The latter is obviously more expensive in dollars spent, but did the client consider how experience affects pricing?

Farrier Tip

Horse Anatomy Knowledge Provides 2 Advantages for Farriers

By Jeremy McGovern posted on November 19, 2021

International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member Chris Gregory stresses anatomy within his curriculum at the Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo. Besides that knowledge of anatomy benefits correctly trimming and shoeing a horse, Gregory says there are two reasons to master the subject.

Badass Rigs & Trailers

Open and Clean Design

Need for new trailer allowed Texas farrier to improve on layout

By Jeremy McGovern posted on October 31, 2021

After the axle broke on his shoeing trailer in February 2021, Sergio Ponce wasn’t in the market to buy a new one. He would simply replace the axle and get back to work.

Farrier Businesses See Tremendous Growth During COVID-19

This period of growth allows many farriers to add or remove clients from their practices

By Jeremy McGovern posted on October 29, 2021

In October 2021, we conducted a survey of American Farriers Journal readers asking them how their businesses fared during COVID-19. The results overwhelmingly show that business has grown for farriers.

Frankly Speaking: If Your Business has Skyrocketed, Beware of Burnout

By Jeremy McGovern posted on October 28, 2021

As in the past, our November issue provides several articles to help our readers improve their business practices. One of these articles shows how the onset of COVID-19 eventually gave way to increased business for most farriers.

Lapeer, Mich. farrier Dick Becker at anvil

Farrier Tip

The Basics are King for Hall of Fame Farrier

By Jeremy McGovern posted on October 8, 2021 | Posted in Education, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Trimming

After nearly 50 years of shoeing horses, the basics remain critical in Dick Becker’s hoof-care work.

Farrier Joshua Sanders working on front limp of horse

Farrier Tips

Basic Customer Service Helps You Retain the Clients You Want

By Jeremy McGovern posted on October 1, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education

If you want to keep clients happy, remember customer service is the hallmark of good business, Joshua Sanders says.

Badass Rigs & Trailers

A Farrier Truck with Practical Modifications

For the last shoeing rig of his career, North Carolina farrier Martin Kenny focused on improved workflow

By Jeremy McGovern posted on September 11, 2021 | Posted in Equipment

The December 1990 American Farriers Journal featured an article by Martin Kenny showing how he made his 1987 Ford F-350 custom walk-in rig — a rarity at the time. Over the years, other rigs came and went, including a stripped-down minimalist approach.

Shoeing For A Living

Advice on Shoeing Hunters and Jumpers with Dick Becker

Dick Becker shares insight on managing the feet of top level sport horses

By Jeremy McGovern posted on September 9, 2021

At 74, Dick Becker isn’t talking retirement. While contemporaries might look to call it a day, Becker dismisses retirement for now, saying he isn’t interested in playing golf. Instead, he still finds motivation working with horses and clients. Especially at his age, there is a difference between shoeing because you want to and shoeing because you have to.

Frankly Speaking: Price Cutting Hurts the Farrier Industry

By Jeremy McGovern posted on September 8, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices

Have you ever had something like this happen to your practice? A farrier tells a prospective client who already has a farrier that they can do it cheaper. The marketing plan is based on pricing that undercuts the rates of you or another farrier to persuade that client to switch to their practice.

Current Issue

American Farriers Journal

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

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Plenty of Hoof-Care Growth in 50 Years

Celebrating 2 Decades of Extraordinary Hoof-Care Learning

Butler’s Insights Hold Strong

Current Issue

Cover_Your Guide For Building A Better Team With Farriers_VOL 4_1222.jpg

Special Report For Equine Veterinarians

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

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Must Read Free Eguides

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Hoof Care on Parade

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.

Events

Michigan Horseshoers Association 55th Annual Clinic

Date: 01/02/25

Location: Lansing, MI

The Michigan Horseshoers Association will host its 55th annual clinic Jan. 2-4, 2025 in East Lansing, Mich.

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Top Directory Listings

Life Data Labs Inc

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 USA

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.

SmartPak

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.

Articles by Jeremy McGovern

Don’t Underestimate the Value of Experience When Setting Hoof-Care Prices

Horse Anatomy Knowledge Provides 2 Advantages for Farriers

Open and Clean Design

Farrier Businesses See Tremendous Growth During COVID-19

Frankly Speaking: If Your Business has Skyrocketed, Beware of Burnout

The Basics are King for Hall of Fame Farrier

Basic Customer Service Helps You Retain the Clients You Want

A Farrier Truck with Practical Modifications

Advice on Shoeing Hunters and Jumpers with Dick Becker

Frankly Speaking: Price Cutting Hurts the Farrier Industry

Top Articles

Current Issue

American Farriers Journal

Plenty of Hoof-Care Growth in 50 Years

Celebrating 2 Decades of Extraordinary Hoof-Care Learning

Butler’s Insights Hold Strong

Current Issue

Special Report For Equine Veterinarians

Must Read Free Eguides

Videos

Hoof Care on Parade

Events

Michigan Horseshoers Association 55th Annual Clinic

Life Data Labs Inc

Kawell USA

SmartPak