I enjoy discussing veterinarian-farrier relationships. This subject reminds me of a quote from the legendary Baltimore Sun writer H.L. Mencken: “For every complex problem there is a solution that is clear, simple and wrong.” There’s not an easy answer to the question on improving veterinarian-farrier relationships because we are complex individuals.
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%.
Back in January 2013, Delaware, Ohio, farrier Dean Moshier was invited to be on an online radio show, Stable Scoop, on Horse Radio Network. In it, he discussed a top 10 list of what most farriers wanted their clients to know. Over the last 3 years, these questions and answers have evolved, mainly influenced by client interactions within Moshier’s practice.
In every Farrier Business Practices Survey that we have conducted (including the upcoming 2018 edition), more than 90% of working farriers have at least one backyard horse client. Because of this, backyard horses are called the backbone of the industry.
A few years ago, my bad back ended my ability to get under horses. I still help other farriers shoe horses, but I don’t get under them anymore. My back was not injured from horses. It was ruined by crawling in and out of trucks to get what I needed — from having an inefficient rig. I hurt myself more by lifting anvils than I ever did picking up a horse’s foot. When you’re short as I am, you have to get it way above belt level to get it back into the truck.
When the American Veterinary Medical Association proposed eliminating the farrier exemption from its Model Veterinary Practice Act, the hoof-care industry’s response was resoundingly unfavorable.
Most farriers complete each day having accomplished what they set out to do — helping horses. Then there are days when things go sideways and the plan goes out the window.
As farriers we spend a lot of time and financial resources educating ourselves about therapeutic work. Our advanced skills are often left in the truck because of financial constraints of treating a lame horse.
It’s been written in this space time and time and time again that the farrier industry is incredibly generous. As the American Farriers Journal staff wraps up production on the 10th edition of Getting Started In Hoof Care, we’re reminded of its generosity once again.
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.
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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.
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