When are apprentice farriers capable of having a business on their own? There are many variables at play from the experiences they've had to knowledge held to the types of horses and clients they want to work with and so on.

There are times in life when you can tell someone important advice that is for their benefit. Despite sincerity of your message and the level of detail you provide, it goes ignored. For it to settle in, they have to hear/read that information from someone else.

I attended this past weekend's Hoofcare Essentials Clinic, presented by the American Association of Professional Farriers/Canadian Association of Professional Farriers. Among the presentations, Michigan farrier Jennifer Horn delivered a talk on how forging competitions have helped her continue her education and what judges look for from contestants' work.

Next week, California Chrome goes for the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes. Getting less attention in the press is the work of the horse's farrier, Judd Fisher. That's not unexpected. The joke has always been that a farrier never gets attention unless there is a "problem" with the foot.

The impact of the economic downturn and recovery has been a common discussion in the equine industry in recent years. Within farriery, some footcare practices have been devastated by the recession, while others witnessed little or no effect.

Every now and then I receive a phone call from someone interested in becoming a farrier. They always want to know what shoeing school I'd recommend. I talk to them for a few minutes to find out their history, especially work experience. Toward the end of the conversation, I never recommend a particular shoeing school. I offer different advice, which may serve as a good reminder for established farriers.