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| A Career Guide For The New Farrier americanfarriers.com Seventh Edition |
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| Career Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS Editorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Ad Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 GEAR Go Digital To Manage Your Farrier Practice . . . . 30 As more information is digitized, so should the system organizing your practice. By American Farriers Journal Staff Get More Bang For Your Buck When Buying Tools. . 34 Buy the right tools and maintain them to save time and money. By Jeff Cota 5 Questions To Ask Before Investing In A Farrier Rig . . 44 Consider what you need before buying a rig. By Jeff Cota KNOW HOW 6 Areas To Focus On Before You Leave School . 6 Be prepared with the skills you need to start your practice. By Jack Roth Begin Your Career Learning From Someone Else. . . . . . . 8 Apprenticing and continuing education will help hone your skills and efficiency. By Heather Smith Thomas Recognize When To Hire And Fire Clients. . . 12 Build and maintain a client base that satisfies you. By Jaime Elftman 10 Common Traits Of Successful Farriers . . . 22 Successful farriers are confident and practice their business skills as much as their farrier skills. By Jacob Butler The Pros And Cons Of Backyard Horses. . . . . . 50 Consider the pros and cons of this market to decide if you want to work with this type of horse. By Chris Gregory Knowing what kind of horse you want to work with and where you want to live will help narrow down where to begin your farrier practice. By Red Renchin Stay Fit By Stretching And Strengthening Muscles . . . 62 Making exercise part of your routine now will allow you to work longer and more efficiently. By Jaime Elftman Keep Your Practice Running Smoothly By Planning Time Off. . . . . 65 Seventh Edition americanfarriers.com 8 Working with another farrier will help you learn the craft and can help develop your client base. Have a plan in place for an absence to save you from possible lost income or clients. By Amy Johnson Advice From Rising Shoeing Star Winners. . . . . 67 Get tips from these farriers on how they got their careers started and what they would do differently. By Amy Johnson FINANCES Setting Prices To Help You Succeed . . . 18 Decide what to charge by calculating your expenses and cost of living. By Jeff Cota Don’t Wait To Begin Planning Your Future. . . . . 26 Keep the financial future of your practice in mind when beginning your career. By Buck O’Neil 26 Farrier Buck O’Neil says health care, retire- ment and savings aren’t luxuries and need to be included in your cost of doing business. Client Failing To Pay? Here’s How To Collect. . . . 40 Understand the government’s definition of non-payment and review the basics for collecting. By Esco Buff Protect Your Practice With Liability Insurance . . 59 Insurance should be among your first considerations when beginning your practice in case of an accident or injury. By American Farriers Journal Staff ON THE COVER: A farrier works on a backyard horse as the sun sets in the cover photo that was captured by Paula da Silva. According to the latest American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey, 92% of U.S. farriers work with backyard horses. A Career Guide For The New Farrier americanfarriers.com Identifying The Equine Hot Spots. . . . . 54 34 Do your homework before buying your tools to know what you will need in your practice. Getting Started In Hoof Care 3 |
| There’s More To Farriery Than Footcare W hen you made the decision to become a farrier, there’s no doubt that a number of factors contributed to your decision. Many are drawn to the trade simply because they want to help horses. Perhaps it’s the enjoyment of working with horses. The history and tradition of working at the anvil and shoeing horses often is appealing to others. Maybe the freedom that comes with working for yourself is just too enticing to pass up. Then again, it could be some combination of these and more. More than likely, though, you didn’t want to become a farrier because you enjoy scheduling, balancing a budget or chasing clients who haven’t paid their bills. Yet, these and many other tasks await you when you set out on your own. Often, the business side of a prac- tice doesn’t get the attention it needs in order to make ends meet, let alone thrive. Businesses fail when that happens. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. By taking the initiative to prepare yourself to withstand the bumps in the road that all businesses inevitably face, you strengthen your chances for success. Continue Your Education You’ve taken the first step toward achieving your goal by attending farrier school. Don’t stop there. Your education shouldn’t come to an end after graduation. There’s so much more knowledge to mine, but where do you start? Fortunately, the industry is brim- ming with well-established farriers who are willing to share their valuable insights. A small collec- tion of them is contained within the pages of this special issue. Now in its seventh edition, Getting Started In Hoof Care is designed to help you navigate the business of farriery. Armed with hundreds of years of combined farriery experience, these knowledgeable individuals detail what you need to know to start your career off on the right foot, how to build your clientele, improve your practice and protect what you’ve built. Embrace the lessons found here and you will be better posi- tioned to enjoy a fruitful career in farriery. Best wishes in your new career, Hoof Care Editor/Publisher Frank Lessiter - lessitef@lesspub.com Executive Editor Jeremy McGovern - jmcgovern@lesspub.com Associate Editor Jeff Cota - jcota@lesspub.com Assistant Editor Jaime Elftman - jelftman@lesspub.com Technical Editor Red Renchin - redrenchin@earthlink.net Senior Account Executive Erin Baayen - ebaayen@lesspub.com Media Sales Representative Kori Klamar - kkalmar@lesspub.com Production Manager Amy Johnson - ajohnson@lesspub.com Manager Of Print & Magazine Production Christopher Nielsen - nielsen@lesspub.com Manager Of Creative & Design Services Jeff Lazewski - jlazewski@lesspub.com Graphic Designers Lewis Horn III - lhorn@lesspub.com James Kolterman - jkolterman@lesspub.com Web Editor Michelle Drewek - mdrewek@lesspub.com Vice President Of Audience Development Patrick Sharpe - psharpe@lesspub.com Senior Manager Of Data And Ad Services Bree Greenawalt - breeg@lesspub.com Circulation Operations Manager Marie Escobar - mescobar@lesspub.com Circulation Manager Sue Ramstack - sramstack@lesspub.com Directory Manager Donna Schwierske - dschwierske@lesspub.com Marketing Manager Dallas Ziebell - dziebell@lesspub.com President Mike Lessiter - mlessiter@lesspub.com Vice President Of Finance And Administration Michael Storts - mstorts@lesspub.com Accounting Manager Jim Perszyk - perszyk@lesspub.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Jeff Cota Associate Editor © 2015 by Lessiter Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means whatsoever without the written permission of the Publisher. American Farriers Journal (ISSN 0274-6565) is published eight times a year (January/ February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November and December) for $47.95 per year by Lessiter Publications, Inc., 16655 W. Wisconsin Ave., Brookfield, WI 53005. Editorial, Advertising and Business Offices: American�Farriers�Journal, P.O. Box 624, Brookfield, WI 53008-0624. Periodicals postage paid at Brookfield, WI 53008-0624 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: American Farriers Journal, 16655 W. Wisconsin Ave., Brookfield, WI 53005. Telephone: (262) 782-4480. Fax: (262) 786-5564. Email Address: info@americanfarriers.com. Web site: americanfarriers.com. 4 Getting Started In Hoof Care Getting Started In Raul J. Bras, DVM, CJF Travis Burns, CJF (TE), AWCF Matt Cooper Dave Farley, APF, CF Randy Luikart, CJF Stephen O’Grady, DVM, MRCV Amy Rucker, DVM Bob Smith, CF Steve Stanley The techniques, viewpoints, information and ideas expressed in American Farriers Journal articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of the advi- sory board members or our magazine staff. Not every magazine article is reviewed by the members and not all AFJ Editorial Advisory Board members review each of these articles. American Farriers Journal P.O. Box 624 Brookfield, WI 53008-0624 16655 W. Wisconsin Ave. Brookfield, WI 53005 Telephone: (262) 782-4480 Fax: (262) 786-5564 Email: info@americanfarriers.com Website: americanfarriers.com American Farriers Journal |
| Career Guide KNOW HOW 6 Areas To Focus On Before You Leave School I have taught horseshoeing for 40 years to more students than anybody else ever has. Most of my graduates went on to shoe horses professionally and made a living for themselves and their families. I have been acquainted with so many farrier teachers over the years and all of us have a somewhat different idea of what it means to teach horseshoeing. The following are my ideas of what you should learn at shoeing school. Theory. You must learn theory of horseshoeing and the physical and anatomical principles involved in far- riery. It is not complicated, but it is complex. It is not easy to learn, but it must be learned. Consistency. Your progress should be monitored daily while you learn the basics. You need to learn to look for and achieve balance and appropri- ate angles. You should learn the shape of more or less “normal” horses’ hooves and see how that shape applies to the indi- vidual hoof that you are working on. If you learn to get the trim and shape right, then the nails almost drive themselves. Learn to appraise your work not when it’s fresh, but rather 6 weeks later. Did the shoe stay on? Does the hoof still look like it has been freshly shod, but a 1/2 inch longer? Did the horse stay sound? If it was not sound when you started is it more sound now than it was before? Horsemanship. Farriers should be good horsemen and should teach horsemanship to their clients. The farrier is the only professional who examines that horse every month or so, and cli- ents lean heavily on your expertise. You 1 2 3 6 Getting Started In Hoof Care Know the shape of a “normal” horse’s hoof and appraise your work against that shape 6 weeks after the shoeing or trimming. Photo: Oklahoma Horseshoeing School By Jack Roth, DVM Learning theory of horseshoeing as well as anatomy is essential before you leave shoeing school. Students at Jack Roth’s Oklahoma Horseshoeing School in Purcell, Okla., are encouraged to shoe horses with handmade shoes on a regular basis. Roth says this is one of the most impor- tant things students should learn while in shoeing school. should learn to observe if the horse is too thin, too fat, has a glossy coat or a bright look in its eye. Does the horse move well? Is it dappled? You need to know how to get the horse to yield properly to the bridle and to pressure. You need to know the many aspects of horsemanship that the client needs to know as it applies to their horse. You must be taught to train a horse. I have heard it said too often that the farrier should not be expected to train the horse. I disagree. The farrier should learn to trim any horse that doesn’t stand up to be shod properly. It is safer for all concerned. It is our job and if we leave it to somebody else then we leave our safety in someone else’s hands. If you’re losing money training horses for free, then charge something for it. If the client doesn’t have to pay for the service, he or she won’t think it was worth anything. How many days a week? It is answered in the Bible. “Six days shalt thou work and the seventh day shalt thou rest.” Work ethic needs to be 4 Become a knowledgeable and competent horseman and be able to teach horsemanship to clients. Learn to make and modify shoes at the forge. developed while you’re still in school. Continuing education. It is impor- tant to keep up on new information in our craft and you should develop an appreciation for education while you’re in shoeing school. Good articles can be even better than clinics because you never have to leave your clients. The farrier is responsible to be there to serve his cli- ents’ horseshoeing needs 6 days a week. Forge work. This is so necessary to the farrier that it must not be given less importance than the actual work of shoeing the hoof. I like the forge and anvil to be right across from the horse- shoeing area, where it is easy to get to the forge and back to the horse. I prefer at least 25% of the horses shod in our shop every day leave wearing handmade shoes. You should learn to make and put on plain-punched shoes, sliding plates, calks, clips, fullered handmade shoes, bar shoes, egg bar shoes, aluminum shoes and aluminum bar shoes. When it is time for you to do it on your own, you should be able to light the fire and go about your work without hesitation. It should be a part of you and what you do on a regular basis. 5 6 Jack Roth of Purcell, Okla., is a member of the International Equine Veterinarian Hall Of Fame and the owner of the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School. He also owns MFC Horseshoeing Tools and Purcell Farrier Supply. American Farriers Journal |
| Career Guide KNOW HOW Begin Your Career Learning From Someone Else By Heather Smith Thomas H ands-on approach to learning from an established farrier can be the most effective way for a new farrier to learn the trade. Paul Goodness, senior member of Forging Ahead, a group farriery practice in Round Hill, Va., says most students should arrange to do some kind of mentorship after graduating from a farrier school. His practice provides a 1-year internship program for new farriers. “We can speed up young farriers’ careers by getting them out there and exposing them to all sorts of things they need to know to be a successful farrier,” he says. “It’s not just working with the horses, but also working with the clients.” Farriery Is More Than Horses’ Feet Farriery has many facets that must be combined for a successful busi- ness. A person might mechanically be the best farrier in a certain specialty, but if he or she can’t deal effectively with the public, scheduling or book- keeping, the business could fail. “Perhaps a client has spent the past 3 months trying to get her horse to a certain competition and it’s the biggest thing in her world right now,” Goodness says. “It’s our job to do our best to figure out how to help her get the horse sound enough or traveling properly to meet that goal. Clients appreciate someone who tries to understand their point of view.” Managing and balancing a schedule is another important aspect, 8 Getting Started In Hoof Care Goodness adds. “It’s crucial to show up on time and to realize that the clients have lives, too. They need to know when you are coming, and you need to get there when you say you will. They may have taken time off work to be there while you are trimming or shoeing the horse. Some farriers treat their clients poorly, with no respect for the clients’ time.” Putting The Horse At Ease When selecting a mentor, make sure that he or she can teach areas you are deficient in. One example may be horsemanship skills. “A big part of success is how well you can handle all kinds of horses and make that horse feel at ease,” Goodness says. “You have to be able to slip in there and have the horse actually want you to change its shoes. The horse needs to be able to trust You can learn business practices and efficiency skills during an apprenticeship. Apprenticing with more than one farrier affords the opportunity to observe different ways to build a successful practice. There are various ways to continue your education throughout your hoof-care career. you, rather than view you as a threat to its well-being.” Jim Keith, a Wingate, Ind., farrier, has been working with apprentices since 1984. “Apprenticeships are great for young farriers because they need to learn what the business is,” he says. “They also tend to get hurt because straight out of school, they’ll get all the cheap, bad horses that no one else wants to do. Working under an expe- rienced farrier, they get to see what it’s like to have a good clientele and good horses.” As a farrier, you will encounter many challenges and a good mentor will recognize opportunities to help you work through them. Working with someone else as an apprentice can further develop your skills and knowl- edge, while you increasingly become more helpful for that person. American Farriers Journal |
| Getting Your Foot In The Door A young farrier has many options when seeking an apprenticeship. “If they go to the International Hoof-Care Summit or other meetings, they can leave their name and number with different farriers they meet,” Keith suggests. “Our Indiana Farriers Association does this in our news- letter every couple months. “We also do it by word of mouth. If someone wants to get an appren- tice, they may call the schools to see who is coming out.” For new farriers seeking a mentor, it helps to write down specific expec- tations, goals and the role they want a mentor to play in their career. Once a potential mentor is identified, ask to meet that person to discuss the possible arrangement. “I’m a firm believer in the old saying that you retain 10% of what you read, 20% of what you read and see, 30% of what you read, see and hear, and up to 90% of what you americanfarriers.com 5 Ways To Nail Down An Apprenticeship Finding a good apprenticeship can be difficult. Here are five places to turn during your search for a mentor. Contact your local farrier association. Post a flier at local supply shops, vet clinics, large barns and other equine centers where farriers frequently visit. Attend events such as clinics, association meetings, equine events and hoof-care education conferences to meet established farriers. Post an ad on online equine message boards. Contact the American and Canadian Associations of Professional Farriers about its mentoring program at 859-533-1465 or AAPF@ProfessionalFarriers.com. teach,” says Coschocton, Ohio, farrier Dave Farley, who began teaching apprentices in 1975. If you have to explain or show it to someone else, it makes a big differ- ence. “I grew up in an era when farriers would not share anything; they kept all their better ideas to them- selves,” says Farley, president of the American and Canadian Associations of Professional Farriers (AAPF and CAPF). “Now, farriers are discov- ering that if you teach, you learn more than anyone else — just by doing your research to teach it.” Whitestown, Ind., farrier Mike Whisler advises persistence when looking for an apprenticeship. “I went to shoeing school, then tried to find somebody to work with so I could make some money and get Getting Started In Hoof Care 9 |
| Paul Goodness not only provides hoof-care pointers to apprentices, but the Round Hill, Va., farrier also offers business advice. more experience,” explains Whisler, who has been working with Keith for 7 years. “I met Jim at the horse fair in Indiana. He told me he might have a position open up and I just kept bugging him and calling him.” That persistence has paid divi- dends in getting his practice off the ground. “Working with Jim has helped my career,” Whisler says. “New farriers have an attrition rate of more than 95% in the first 5 years. So, I felt I should get hooked up with someone who already has an established career — if for no other reason than to wait out those first 5 years. After that, the attrition rate drops dramatically.” The Selection Process Finding a mentor or someone to help you along might not be easy, though. Not every established farrier wants an apprentice or student helper. “Being a mentor can be a difficult and demanding position,” Goodness says. “You have to be a teacher, as well as do all your regular work.” Mentors sometimes have a trial period to make sure there are no personality conflicts. “As the potential apprentice needs to ride with you for 2 to 4 weeks,” Keith says. “In that length of time you’d know if you are compatible or if they have habits that drive you crazy.” Before accepting an apprentice- ship, a mentee should ask questions about the hours they’ll work, sched- ules, compensation and other expecta- tions. These agreements vary from apprenticeship to apprenticeship. “Jim and I had an arrangement in which I would get paid a certain amount of dollars per horse that I worked on,” Whisler explains. “I’m an independent contractor and if I Serving the Farrier Industry for Montague over 25 years! Complete Line Blacksmith Supply Of Farrier Supplies SHOP ONLINE: www.montagueblacksmith.com To place orders, call 1-800-666-8248 | Phone: (845) 856-7585 | Fax: (845) 856-7385 176 Jersey Ave. • Port Jervis, NY 12771 UPS service daily! 10 Getting Started In Hoof Care didn’t feel comfortable doing some- thing or had some issues with a client, I had the right to choose not to do it. A person has to be judicious about this, however, and not overuse that kind of choice.” Coming out of school, Whisler suggests apprenticing with more than one farrier. “My arrangement with Jim was that I had a day off,” he says. “I worked with him 4 days a week and worked on my own for a day or 2. I picked up the Indiana Farriers Association directory and persistently bugged any of the members who were within driving distance to see if I could give them a day’s work. “In the beginning, this helped build my client base, but it also gave me a broader look at things. I could observe different ways of doing things, more ideas about how to shoe horses, how to run a business and so on.” Out On Your Own When you’ve gone through an apprenticeship, there has to be some thought about how to end the term. “It is important that both the student and the mentor have a clear idea of where it should end, and be working toward that goal,” Goodness says. “Everyone is better off having goals to shoot for.” After mentoring for nearly 30 years, Keith has some standards. “I usually have them stay with me for a minimum of 2 years,” he says. “One apprentice was already working on his own when he came to me, so his level of learning was higher and I didn’t have to teach him as much.” Some shoeing schools are very specific about what their graduates need to face by the time the appren- ticeship concludes. “They spell out certain milestones or goals they’d like their graduates to achieve by certain times,” he says. We incorporate these into our program. By the end of a 1-year internship term, these individuals will have a certain base set of skills and can go out into the world and market those skills.” American Farriers Journal |
| Career Guide KNOW HOW Recognizing When To Hire And Fire Clients By Jaime Elftman, Assistant Editor B uilding relationships with clients and knowing when to let them go may sound as easy as saying hello and goodbye, but there are a few things farriers should keep in mind when devel- oping and ending client relation- ships that can make everything go a little more smoothly. When taking on a new client, it is all about asking the right questions up front and getting enough information to allow you to be prepared to execute the job the first time. Asking the right questions will also help you to know the trustworthy clients from the unre- liable or even dangerous ones. As time goes by and you gain a reputation and prestige in your area, you may find that you have more business than you did when you first started out and were starving for any client who would call. At this point, you can begin looking at which clients you may no longer need or, more likely, want. When you’re ready to end a client relationship, don’t just stop answering the phone or not show up to an appointment. Take a more profes- sional approach and end the relation- ship in a way that will leave both your reputation and the reputation of the farrier industry intact. Follow this advice from veteran farriers on how to hire and fire clients. Hiring Clients Finding and hiring clients is one of the most essential jobs a farrier has to do to get their practice off the 12 Getting Started In Hoof Care ground. However, it’s not as easy as picking up the phone and running straight to the barn. First, you must ask your prospective new client a few questions to help you be prepared for the job. Steve Kraus, head of farrier services and farrier school instructor at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, N.Y., teaches his farrier students to ask the right questions and gather the right information when a possible new client inquires for your services. Kraus has a few different levels Avoid being underprepared when working with a new client by getting in-depth information on the horses and don’t forget to ask for the basics. Tell new clients what you charge and ask how they intend to pay before accepting a job. When firing a client, explain the situation to them coolly and professionally. Never just ignore the client. of information that farriers should gather. First is the “need to know” information, which is absolutely essential to being able to get to the work site and get the job done. The next tier of questions are “knowl- edge is power” questions that will provide information to help farriers be prepared for the job and know exactly what they are expected to Use Letter Grades To Manage Your Clientele Bob Smith of Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School uses a letter-grade system to help discharge clients when the time comes. Here is how he grades: A: Clients who pay immediately and schedule regularly. They care about your safety and comfort and they provide the facility to shoe. They stay with you when you increase your prices. The horse has good feet and will stand quietly. B: Clients who care about your safety and comfort, but are unable to provide for it. They’re good people and they’ll pay you, but they fal- ter when prices are raised. The shoeing conditions are on the side of the barn, on a bit of dirt or gravel where it’s hard to set up the horse on its angles and stuff. The horse might have bad feet, but will stand, although not perfectly. C: Clients who care about the horse first and you second. They have a poor shoeing environment and you must bill them because they won’t pay right away. They also won’t stick to a regular schedule. The horse doesn’t want to cooperate or has poor conformation. Shoes are difficult to keep on. D: Clients who must be tracked down to pay or write bad checks. They care about the horse first and you second. They’ll bring three or four horses and demand that you charge the same for each one. The working conditions are poor. They call after they’ve gone 12 or 13 weeks without getting the horses done and call you up on a Thursday night and want the horses shod Friday because they will be trail riding Saturday. The horse is dangerous and ill mannered. American Farriers Journal |
| do. The final set of questions are “client assessment” based and will give you an idea of the reliability of the client. Kraus says asking the right ques- tions up front can save you head- aches later. “I learned to ask these questions through experience,” Kraus says. “There have been many times when I showed up to shoe four horses and it sounded like a good client and then you see the run-down place they expect you to work in and they tell you they can’t pay until next month.” Getting The Basics Kraus’ “need to know” questions include getting the client’s name, phone number, billing address and/or email and getting detailed directions to where the horses are located — the basics. “You need to start out with the simple things, which are things that you really need to have to do the job. When I started shoeing horses, there wasn’t GPS or smartphones you could use to find directions,” Kraus says. “Even today, some of the GPS and apps still won’t be able to get you where you want to go, so getting good directions is very useful.” Remembering to ask the basic questions is especially important for beginning farriers to keep in mind, Kraus says. “Beginning farriers are so excited that the phone is even ringing that they might make an appointment without asking any questions,” he says. “Then they’ll go there and sometimes they’re not prepared for what they’re going to get into. And not being prepared wastes the time of both you and the client.” Aside from good directions, Kraus also stresses the importance of simply asking a new client for their phone number. “You need at least a phone number or a way to contact the client should something come up,” Kraus says. If you aren’t able to make it to an appointment, you need to be able to let the client know. “Horseshoers are notorious for americanfarriers.com Steve Kraus’ Farrier Intake Protocol Questions to ask new clients and information you should have before beginning a job. Need To Know Knowledge Is Power Client Assessment What is the client’s name? How many horses are there to do? (Ask each of the following for each horse.) Who was trimming and shoeing the client’s horses previously? Do they owe the previous farrier money? Why are they switching? What is the client’s phone number? What type of breed is the horse and what is its job/use? What is the work area like? What is the client’s billing address and/or email? What is the horse’s age? Does the client want regular service? Where are the horses located? (Get detailed directions.) Does the horse have any special needs? How does the client intend to pay? Does the horse have any sound- ness problems? Does the client have a regular vet and/or trainer? If so, what is their contact information? missing appointments and not letting the client know,” he says. “In today’s world where everyone has a cell phone, there’s no excuse for that kind of behavior.” Getting the client’s phone number and giving them a courtesy call if you’re going to be late or need to reschedule will help set you apart early on as a professional. Photo of American Pharoah shod by Wes Champagne TRUSTED BY THE FARRIERS OF CHAMPIONS “I have found that the glue does exactly what it’s name says it bonds and it flexes. In the year 2000 I had two horses running in the Kentucky derby that required glue on shoes I put my trust in Bond N Flex and it proved right as they came in first and second making Fusaichi Pegasus the first horse to win a Kentucky Derby in glue on shoes, thank you Bond N Flex.” “Over those 20 years I always tried every new product that came onto the market, and in my opinion nothing has ever been the equivalent of Bond-N-Flex.” — David Farmilo Austrailian Master Farrier — Wes Champagne Farrier for American Pharoah NAIL FREE SHOEING postyme.com Getting Started In Hoof Care 13 |
| Being Prepared After you have the basics down, Kraus suggests getting a little more detail on the horse or horses you will be expected to work with. You might be able to get the job done without this information on the first shoeing, but you will save yourself time and money by being prepared with the proper tools and supplies the first time. Ask a new client how many horses they have for you to work on, the breed of horse, its age and whether it has any special needs or soundness problems, as well as what the horse’s job or use is. “Will you be shoeing hunters or barrel racing horses?” Kraus asks. “This might determine whether you can even take the client. If you’re not prepared or don’t have the experience or knowledge to shoe that type of horse, you need to know beforehand. You may need to decline that client or find a way to become better prepared.” He cites a case with a horseshoeing school graduate. “Many years ago, I had a fellow come up to me who had just gradu- ated from a very good school where they worked on a lot of field hunter horses and that is what he knew how to shoe well,” Kraus recalls. “But then his first client happened to be people with barrel racing horses and he wasn’t prepared for that. He lost shoes like crazy because he shod them like they were field hunters. “You can’t treat shoeing a horse as a generic thing. There may be some horses that can get by with more generic shoeing, but as you get into Not being prepared wastes the time of both you and the client... high performance horses, you need to have the right shoes and training to succeed.” Knowing the age of the horse will help you determine how much time you will need to shoe or trim that horse. “It’s nice to know the approxi- mate age of the horse,” he says. “There’s a difference between shoeing a very young horse and a very old horse, as they can take more time to work with.” Dedicated To The Professional Farrier… Ward & Story Hoof Protractor Duval Pad Cutter Farriers’ Pride Pads We carry a full line of farrier supplies. Hall of Fame farrier Lee Green and his staff are always willing and eager to help you by answering questions, providing advice and sharing years of horseshoeing expertise. Lee Green’s The Shoein’ Shop Lee & Charlotte Green 31740 Dunlap Blvd. • Yucaipa, CA 92399 • 800-200-0031 909-794-3455 • Fax: 909-794-8519 14 Getting Started In Hoof Care At this point, it’s also appro- priate to ask whether the horse has any behavioral problems, as Kraus says those horses may also take more time. “If you know a horse has a behav- ioral problem or has never been shod before, you’ll need to be prepared to handle it,” he says. “The owner may not tell you up-front that the horse is unruly because they don’t want to scare you away. But they probably won’t lie to you if you ask them the question directly.” Kraus also suggests getting specific information on the services the new client expects you to provide for each horse. Do they want all of their horses shod, or just trimmed? “You need to get specific on what needs to be done before the job,” he says. “That way you have the mate- rials you will need and leave time to do everything you need to do.” He also asks the new client whether there is a trainer or vet they work with. “You want to know whether there is a vet you can speak with if there are any special soundness problems,” he says. “This is very useful information, but you don’t need to get too involved with the details on this right away.” Assessing The Client Not every horse owner has an immaculate barn, and, as Kraus puts it, not every horse owner can truly afford his or her horse. To determine whether a new client is going to be reliable and provide safe working conditions, Kraus recommends asking the prospective new client up front about what the work area is like, how the client intends to pay for service and whether they are looking for regular service. “You need to know if the horse owner has a decent place to work,” he says. “Will you be working in a barn or out in a corral? Am I going to be able to get my truck to the barn or is this barn in the middle of a swampy pasture? Is it safe? Am I going to have a hard time working there? “Be prepared and know before you American Farriers Journal |
| accept the job how you’re going to handle these situations. If I can’t get my truck to the horses and I’m still going to work on them, maybe I need to get a stall jack.” Kraus says farriers also need to let the new client know what they charge before accepting the job. “There are many different types of shoes and some cost a lot more than others,” he says. “If we’re shoeing warmbloods, that’s not the same price as shoeing a little trail horse. Once you know what the client wants you to do on each of their horses, let the client know what you charge and then find out how they intend to pay. That’s an important step because some people haven’t really thought about that when they call.” If you aren’t careful to set up a method of payment beforehand, Kraus says, the client may not be ready to pay immediately after service. “And then maybe the money never comes,” he says. “These things happen, so tell the client up front what the work will cost and what methods of payment you accept — credit card, cash or checks. Getting it all straightened out ahead of time will save you a lot of confusion and difficulty down the road.” When a new client gets hung up on what you quote for the price or argues about it, Kraus says this can be a red flag that this client could be difficult to work with. The last thing Kraus asks new clients is whether they are looking for regular farrier service. “I only like to take on new clients who are going to have regular service. Not someone who has a trail ride this weekend and the horses really need to be trimmed and they just want whichever farrier can get there the quickest,” Kraus says. “It can be hard to tack people down on whether they want regular service before you start shoeing for them, but it doesn’t hurt to ask the question.” Asking new clients the right ques- tions at the beginning of the conver- sation can help pave the way for a Largest Farrier Supply In The Rocky Mountains Your best source for Farrier Supplies and Equipment in Colorado! We are proud to offer you a large selection of quality farrier supplies and equipment, from Anvils to Welding Compounds and everything in between! Here you can find the name brands and manufacturers you are already familiar with, buy them securely online with our shopping cart and have them shipped right to your door. Call us at 1-800-994-OLEO or better yet come on in, the coffee is always on. North Store Central Store South Store 1036 South County Road 21 10367 West Centennial Road #200 13710 Halleluiah Trail #100 Berthoud, CO 80513 Littleton, CO 80127 Elbert, CO 80106 Ph: (970) 532-3490 Ph: (303) 979-0446 Ph: (719) 495-9046 Shop Online at www.oleoacresfarriersupply.com americanfarriers.com successful farrier-client relationship. “If you have all of this informa- tion at your disposal, you can make a good assessment of how you’re going to work on the horses,” Kraus says. “You won’t be surprised when you first arrive and you won’t be full of questions on what you’re expected to do. Instead, you can focus on getting the horse trimmed and/or shod properly. You will have the right shoes in your truck and the right amount of time to get the job done. You will succeed because success comes from preparation.” Firing Clients As your farrier practice and clientele grow, so can the quality of clients you work with. What makes a quality client may be different for one farrier than it is for another. The same can be said of what makes a bad client, though there are a few areas that can be red flags. These include ill-mannered horses, dangerous work area, poor or late Rasp Sharpening Service Trial Order Deal Get 12 Farrier Rasps Resharpened for the Cost of 10 Tightly package 12 Farrier Rasps for resharpening and receive 2 rasps processed for free! (include your name, return address, phone number, email and the promo-code “SHARP 15”) SAVE EDGE 14” HORSE RASP............$6.70 14” BEAST RASP ............$7.68 17” BEAST RASP ............$7.95 (Other brands are a little extra) MENTIO PROMO- N CODE: SHARP 1 5 360 West Church Street • Xenia, Ohio 45385 1-800-828-8298 • 937-376-8266 • Fax 937-376-8052 Getting Started In Hoof Care 15 |
| pay and uncooperative or micro- managing clients. There are many schools of thought on how to peacefully end a relationship with a client, but most agree that you don’t want to burn any bridges and leave in a screaming match, nor can you just stop showing up for appointments with that client. “In this industry, we gain a reputation for not showing up and not answering our phones,” says Bob Smith, owner of Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif. “I think that’s the way many farriers fire their clients. They want to avoid conflict, so they just ignore them, but that gives all farriers a horrible reputation. It’s a disservice to all farriers because clients will begin thinking there is something wrong with farriers and not with their horses or their pay. “Fire clients for cause, profes- sionally and proactively. Never fire a client in anger,” he says. Confronting the Client Smith uses a letter grade scale for ranking his clients. This isn’t some- thing Smith shares with his clients. It’s intended solely for his own refer- ence and helps him determine when a client needs to be let go. “You have to be able to intel- Motivating Clients To Improve Their Horses Madras, Ore., farrier Tobias Ellis has his own grading system for clients’ horses. However, he uses the system to motivate clients to improve their horses. All horses on Ellis’ grading system start with an F. They graduate to a higher grade after the owner successfully completes homework assignments. “If a horse is halter broke, but you reach over to touch it and it wants to eat you alive, I normally tell the owner to buy a cheap broom,” he explains. “They need to get to the point that the horse will stand still Oregon farrier Tobias Ellis helps improve his clients’ while brushing it with a broom.” horses and horsemanship skills If a client can accomplish that by the through small assignments time Ellis returns in 6 weeks, they can ex- given after each visit. pect to get a better grade. “You might not be able to pick up its feet, but I give them a D because they did their homework,” he says. “Does it mean the horse is that much better to work on? No, but it’s an improvement.” The client must be able to pick up a horse’s leg with the help of a rope in the next assignment. “Two months later, if the horse allows me to touch it and pick up its foot with a rope, I can get the feet trimmed and use my rasp,” Ellis says. “I bump them to a C. Then, next time, you have to be MORE ON THE WEB able rope.” to pick up the foot without a To read more Ellis finds that a little goes a about how Tobias long way with his clients. Gener- ally, he only gives them one Ellis uses a assignment to complete after grading scale to improve each shoeing visit. his clients’ horses, visit “If you’re giving them those americanfarriers.com/ little homework assignments,” he says, “it’s amazing how much careerguide15 more horsemanship they get.” Join our Rewards Program for every $10 spent receive $1 off your next order! $10 Fast Shipping Full lines of supplies, shipping international Farrier Supply House 231 Douglas Rd. E #1 Oldsmar, Fl 34677 813-818-2800 | www.farriersupplyhouse.com Family owned and operated. Focus on customer service 16 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| ligently and non-emotionally decide when you’re going to begin discharging clients,” he says. “You want to develop a clientele who reflect your sense of humor or other things that you would like to have in the people you work with. “Shoeing can be hard, physical work and if you’re not having fun and enjoying it, it can be a miser- able way to make a living. With my clients, by the end of the day my jaw is sore from laughing, not my back from working.” After you gain enough clients and you begin looking at who to let go, Smith says you can refer back to the grading scale and easily know to get rid of the “C” or “D” level clients first. Over time, your schedule will be mostly filled with “A” and “B” clients. When it comes time to have the conversation with a client and tell them that you no longer will be working on their horses, Smith stresses to keep a cool head and americanfarriers.com rationally explain to the client why you no longer will be working with them and their horses. Smith’s method for firing clients is up front and to the point. “If every farrier fired a client for an ill-mannered horse by telling them so professionally, the client would get the hint,” he says. Smith provides these examples of what he tells clients depending on why he is leaving them: ♦ Ill-mannered horse: “Your horse is not well mannered, so I am unable to shoe him to my standards. I recommend that you train it to stand quietly for the farrier. Thank you for the opportunity to work for you. Please feel free to call me once the horse is properly trained.” ♦ Poor pay: “My books are set up so that I require payment when the job is complete. I do not have a billing service. I am sorry that I can no longer service your account. Thank you for the oppor- tunity to work for you.” ♦ Uncooperative client: “It is apparent that you have lost your confidence in my ability to prop- erly set up your horse. I feel that it is very important that the client have the utmost confidence in their farrier. I am sorry that I cannot meet your expectations. Here are some business cards of other local farriers. Perhaps they can service your account more to your satis- faction. Thanks for the opportunity to work with you.” ♦ Clients you just don’t like: “My book is so full that I am going to have to reduce the number of people I service. I am sorry, but this will be the last time I will be able to work for you. This was a difficult decision for me and I hope you are not offended. Here are some business cards of some local farriers. If they have any questions about your horses, please tell them to feel free to call me. Thanks for the opportunity of working with you.” Getting Started In Hoof Care 17 |
| Setting Prices To Help Your Practice Succeed By Jeff Cota, Associate Editor I n the opening days of each 8-week block of classes, Bob Smith takes his Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School students to “the candy store.” Farriers in the Sacramento, Calif., area know it as The Horseshoe Barn. The trip gives the farriers in training an opportunity to shop for the tools, products and equipment they’ll need to start their career. It’s also an opportunity to pick the brain of Adam Wynbrandt, who’s not only the owner of the supply shop but an Accredited Professional Farrier (APF) with 2 decades of experience. “They always want to know, ‘What can I charge?’” he says. “I tell them, ‘Well, no, the question is, what do you need to charge?’” Questions about pricing aren’t just reserved for new farriers. Even veteran farriers often struggle with finding a winning formula. “Most farriers work off of gross income rather than net,” Wynbrandt says. “What’s the difference? If you just did six horses for $600, that’s your gross income. That’s all your It’s critical that all of your expenses when shoeing a horse are covered when you charge your clients. That includes getting paid for your time while driving, supplies, as well as depreciation of your tools and vehicle. 18 Getting Started In Hoof Care It’s important to include charges that will cover replacement costs for your tools and equipment. Reducing your drive time and shoeing more horses at one location will put more money in your pocket. You should have your accountant analyze your business twice a year to make any necessary adjustments. Your business should have a ratio of about 70% gross income vs. about 30% costs. money. In reality, you have costs, expenses and taxes. The amount of money you have after those expendi- tures is your net income.” Basic Cost Of Shoeing A Horse According to the latest Farrier Business Practices survey conducted by American Farriers Journal, the average nationwide price for trimming four hooves and applying four keg shoes is $120.19. The average charge for trimming and resetting four keg shoes is $113.36. Trim-only prices average $42.06. Those prices might not work for you and your situation, though. Wynbrandt, for instance, shoes horses in California, which has a higher cost of living than most states. Then again, the prices might indeed fit your life- style, you just need to budget your income more efficiently. That’s where Wynbrandt found himself just 2 years into his career. Wynbrandt’s practice was thriving, but he was in for a rude awakening. “I went in to get my taxes done,” he recalls. “When the American Farriers Journal |
| accountant told me what I owed, I fainted. It was always a stressful time for me to get my taxes done. So I had to come up with a plan.” The easiest way to calculate expenses, Wynbrandt says, is to figure each stop as a full shoeing — new shoes on the front and hinds. Plugging in the numbers, he details his expenses. ♦ Shoes: $5 a pair for a total of $10. ♦ Nails: 8 cents per nail; six nails per foot for a total of $1.92. ♦ Rasp: Over the course of a 5-day workweek, Wynbrandt goes through one $30 rasp to trim 40 horses. Dividing the cost of the rasp by the number of horses, he esti- mates it costs 75 cents per horse to buy a new rasp. ♦ Replacement costs: He recom- mends setting aside $2.50 from every full shoeing to cover wear and tear on tools and equipment. Adding up the above expenses, Wynbrandt finds that it costs him $15.17 in materials. Your Hourly Wage Although many farriers find it difficult — both from a financial and a scheduling standpoint — to take some time off, Wynbrandt builds it into his formula when figuring out an hourly wage. “There are 52 weeks in a year and you’re going to take a 2-week vacation,” he says. “It doesn’t matter. We’re going to calculate your wage into that.” As a result, Wynbrandt calculates total hours based on 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and 50 weeks a year. “It’s going to be 2,000 hours a year that you will work,” he says. “I know we’ll be short, but I’m covering a base- line. If you’re faster at shoeing horses, you’ll get done in less than 8 hours. This is the easier way of doing it.” Once Wynbrandt figured out the number of hours he would be working, he wanted to determine an annual salary target. “How much do you want to make a year — net?” he asks. “Sometimes, people tell me they want to make $1 million. That’s not realistic. I picked $100,000. That’s what I wanted to make to pay for my daily expenses.” As Wynbrandt alluded to earlier, the key word to consider is “net.” That means he had to earn more than $100,000 a year gross to achieve his goal because taxes, insurance and retirement drops him below his target. Earning $100,000-plus a year put Wynbrandt in the 10% tax bracket, or about $10,000 a year to Uncle Sam. Insurance can cost you more, espe- cially if you have dependents. Yet, many farriers forgo insurance. “It’s pretty sad,” he says. “It’s tough and it’s a biggie, but it can be You need to do more horses at each stop … Continuing Education Farrier Courses and Endorsement Programs Daisy Bicking DEP, APF, CFGP, CLS, DHFP Recognizing Hoof Distortions with Radiograph Glue and Composite Shoeing Business Anatomy and Dissection AAPF Educational Partner daisyhavenfarm.com | integrativehoofschool.com americanfarriers.com Getting Started In Hoof Care 19 |
| Cost Of Shoeing A Horse California farrier Adam Wynbrandt devised a formula to determine how much he should charge to shoe a horse and break even. The scenario below assumes 1 hour of drive time, four new kegs shoes, six nails, a $63.50 hourly wage and 1 hour to shoe one horse. Tools Shoes Price $10.00 Nails $1.92 Rasp 75 cents Tool Replacement $2.50 Drive Time $63.50 Vehicle Cost $34.50 Shoeing The Horse $63.50 Total done. Personally, I paid $1,000 a month between my two kids. That’s $12,000 a year.” If insurance isn’t a priority for many farriers, contributing to retire- ment accounts often has less appeal. Yet, now is exactly the time to take $176.67 advantage of the opportunity to begin saving for your golden years. “If you put $5,500 a year into a Roth IRA, you pay taxes with your contributions,” Wynbrandt explains. “After you reach 62, it’s tax free. If you draw it out at age 65, you would have paid $192,500 into the account and the return on interest would be $1.6 million. Can you imagine if you and your spouse had a Roth? That’s $3 million. It’s crazy.” After figuring out that Wynbrandt wanted a net income of $100,000, and pay $10,000 a year for taxes, $12,000 a year in health insurance and $5,500 for retirement, he actually wanted to target $127,000 as his net income goal. That means his hourly wage is $63.50. Wynbrandt confesses. “It was easier when I started the year, I wrote my mileage in. On the last day of the year, I wrote my mileage in my other book and that was that.” The Internal Revenue Service permits 57.5 cents a mile, but it doesn’t completely cover your costs. “Assuming most of us drive 60 miles an hour most of the time, and you get 57.5 cents a mile from the IRS,” he says, “you would have to charge $34.50 for every hour that you are driving in your vehicle to break even.” When choosing the mileage route, you won’t be permitted to track such costs as tire replacement and oil changes. “When you take mileage, that’s what you get,” Wynbrandt says. “Now, if you have to get an engine replaced, or something catastrophic, there’s ways around that with your accountant. You can deduct it. A good tax guy can find it.” That’s not the only vehicle-related charge you should be levying. “You need to be getting paid for your time while driving your truck,” Wynbrandt says. “It’s part of your day. If you’re on an 8-hour day, you’re actu- ally getting paid to drive.” So, given the formula that Wynbrandt follows, how much does he charge to shoe one horse? ♦ Drive time: A half-hour drive to the barn and a half-hour back will amount to his hourly wage of $63.50. ♦ Vehicle cost: $34.50 for 1 hour of drive time. ♦ Shoeing supplies: $15.17 to cover a full set of shoes and costs of his tools. ♦ Shoeing the horse: It generally takes Wynbrandt an hour to shoe a horse. His hourly wage is $63.50. ♦ Shoeing bill: $176.67 is charged to the client. “That’s not bad money,” he says. “That’s to break even.” After working on his system for You have to live off the net income and not the gross … Vehicle Costs Your vehicle is the most expen- sive tool that you own. Given the amount of wear and tear you will put it through, it’s also among the most depreciable. You can replenish some depreciation by claiming mileage or fuel receipts through your annual tax return. “I took mileage because I was really bad at keeping receipts,” 20 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| What Farriers Are Charging The average nationwide price that farriers are charging their clients. Task Price Trim 4 Feet $42.06 Trim, Set 4 Keg Shoes $120.19 Trim, Reset 4 Keg Shoes $113.36 Trim, Make/Buy & Set 2 Bar Shoes $136.27 Trim, Set 4 Keg Bar Shoes $166.67 Trim, Forge & Set 4 Handmade Shoes $182.18 — 2014 American Farriers Journal Farrier Business Practices Survey several years, Wynbrandt found that cutting down the driving time meant a healthier bottom line. “If you have the opportunity, you need to work in a tight demographic area,” he suggests. “After running a number of scenarios, I found that just the driving time was changing my shoeings by $20. That’s $20 you can be putting in your pocket. “You need to do more horses at each stop. You don’t make as much money when you do one or two horses at one stop.” It’s worth repeating that these figures are based on Wynbrandt’s business in California. The cost of shoeing supplies, insurance and other expenses might be different. You can plug in your own numbers by using an Excel worksheet that was developed by Bob Schantz, a Hall Of Fame farrier and owner of Spanish Lake Blacksmith Shop in Foristell, Mo. You can download the worksheet by visiting Farrier Product Distribution’s website. American and Canadian Associations of Professional Farriers members also can download it from its organiza- tion’s website. side of their practice and find them- selves in a financial pickle. “It’s important to analyze your business,” Wynbrandt says. “A lot of us don’t do it. We just shoe. We give the money to our spouse and then it’s gone. You have to run your business as a business. You have to live off the net and not the gross.” It’s imperative that you analyze your business at least twice a year to ensure that you are on the right track. “You should see your accountant in June and again at the end of the year when you get your taxes done,” Wynbrandt says. “The accountant can tell you that you need to buy something or adjust your finances to avoid paying more taxes than necessary. I pay my tax guy a lot of money so I never get audited. I don’t want the trouble.” It’s important for the financial health of your family and your busi- ness that you can recognize when adjustments need to be made. “I would overanalyze it,” he says. “I ran it as a business. The ratio you’re looking for in a business is about 30% cost and about 70% gross income. So, when you look at what it costs to do your business, if it’s over 40%, you have to raise your rates. If you’re comfortable living on that, that’s fine. It’s just a pretty bad ratio when you exceed 30%.” The ratio you’re looking for is 30% cost and 70% gross income … Analyze Your Business Many farriers get caught up in the practical side of farriery. They don’t pay enough attention to the business americanfarriers.com Getting Started In Hoof Care 21 |
| Career Guide KNOW HOW By Jacob Butler CJF, AWCF G rowing up, I spent a lot of time around the world’s best farriers as they came to our home and were trained by my father, Dr. Doug Butler. I was able to work side-by-side with many of them as they became master craftsmen and learned the fundamentals of farriery. I also have worked and consulted with farriers from around the world. This chance to observe has given me a unique perspective on the habits and behaviors of success. I want to share 10 traits I’ve learned from observing these habits and behaviors up close so you can use them in your life and farrier business. 1 Ambitious And Resistant To Complacency It used to be that a farrier could expand their business steadily over time. Today, change happens quickly and the best farriers force themselves and his or her business to change for the better. The best farriers choose not to just react to the changes they see — they proactively prepare for the future they want to create. The top professionals in any industry rarely permit themselves a moment of mental rest. They are always simultaneously implementing what is working now and at the same time planning a replacement for when it is no longer working. Being content with getting by isn’t the behavior of top professionals in any field. Farriers must be responsive to the constant changes around them: client demands, understanding horse 22 Getting Started In Hoof Care anatomy and conformation so the proper farrier work can be done in any situation, threats from new competi- tors, etc. There are three ways to avoid complacency: Continually educate yourself. Read voraciously – study other successful business individuals. Network with other farriers and other business leaders you admire who are where you want to be. Learn marketing methods and media beyond what you are currently familiar with and use. Look for new ways to attract new clients to your business. This can’t be something you’ll get around to someday — it must be something you are constantly working on, testing and implementing. The best farriers attract more clients because they are good at what they do and because they are good at promoting what they do to others. You must master these skills as well. Explore multiple ways to attract clients. Most farriers don’t think about what might happen if the method they’ve been using is no longer effective. I’ve found that farriers use a variety of marketing methods and funnels to successfully promote their skills and abilities. Successful farriers balance planning with reaction to change. Marketing skills are just as important as farrier skills. Understand how pricing affects your business model. these bold ideas. Your farrier business will become as big as you think it can. You have to be 100% committed to whatever you set out to accomplish. I recently read the following statistics from author Ron Sparks about what would happen if various individuals were only 99.9% committed: ♦ An hour of unsafe drinking water every month. ♦ 16,000 lost pieces of mail per hour. ♦ 20,000 incorrectly filled prescrip- tions every year. ♦ 22,000 checks deducted from the wrong account each hour. What story have you told yourself about your farrier business? If you want to be more successful, you’ve got to change the limiting beliefs that are holding you back. Here are some common beliefs that farriers tell them- selves that can limit their business: ♦ Thinking your business is different. “He could do that, but I couldn’t because …” Photo: Doug Anderson 10 Common Traits Of Successful Farriers 2 Big And Bold Thinkers Some farriers hope to be bigger and more successful someday. They aren’t really serious or committed to what it takes to achieve greater success. It takes commitment and focus to think big. It takes courage to act on It is crucial to protect your profit margins. The cost of travel will continue to rise over the years, so how will you continue to protect your profit margin against this inflation? American Farriers Journal |
| ♦ Allowing yourself to be controlled by the opinions and beliefs of others. “I can’t charge that price because the farrier down the road charges less than that.” ♦ Allowing yourself to be controlled by past experience. “I tried that and it didn’t work…” ♦ Fear. “I hope the horse owner doesn’t find out what I don’t know.” Get over the stories you have been telling yourself. One of the most important big, bold ideas you must implement in your farrier business is that of doing the things necessary to be viewed as an authority by horse owners. Here are some suggestions on how to do that: ♦ Your market needs clarity about you. Are you going to provide it, or will you let someone else do it for you? ♦ Remember, horse owners accept you as you present yourself. Write a brief summary of how you are now presenting yourself to your clients. ♦ Position yourself into a category of americanfarriers.com one. What can you do better than any other farrier in your area? 3 Extreme Self-Confidence and Self-Belief Successful individuals are extremely confident in themselves and what they do. They believe they can: ♦ Make things happen. ♦ Conquer any difficulties that are in their path. ♦ Do what others can’t or won’t. Unsuccessful individuals never launch ideas or fully commit to implementing ideas because they lack confidence in their own ability to follow through with what they start. How you can develop extreme self- confidence: ♦ Change your associations (what you read and who you associate with). ♦ Be and act better than your compe- tition. When horse owners notice the difference, your confidence skyrockets. ♦ Develop new skills. ♦ Do what you say you will do. 4 Protect Profit Margins Sacrificing margins to make a sale does not pay. It takes zero imagination to cut prices and offer discounts so that you have a slim to non-existent profit margin. You must protect profits, not sacrifice them. There are three areas of concern: ♦ Rising costs of travel and inven- tory. It costs more to transport your equipment and inventory to do your job right. With some farriers willing to cut prices to get the job, you must build your value to cover these additional costs. ♦ Increasing cost of running your business. You must raise your prices to cover these costs. ♦ Horse owners expect more today. They feel entitled to the best deal. This means that you have to get better at building more value into what you sell without increasing expenses. There are ways to protect profits: ♦ Know and pay attention to the critical numbers in your business. Getting Started In Hoof Care 23 |
| 7 Adapt Successfully Manage And A Daily Schedule Prioritization ♦ Offer new and different products and services. ♦ Increase the value of what you sell beyond easily comparable products. Continual 5 Educational Searching Practicing New And For Opportunities In the January/February 1998 issue of American Farrier’s Journal, my father wrote an article “10 Ways To Master The Skills Of Farriery.” I encourage you to read this article atamericanfarriers.com/10ways. Here are some of the principles: ♦ Decide to master all of the skills of farriery. ♦ Set specific, well-defined goals. ♦ Measure your progress in all seven skill areas (identified in the article). ♦ Practice all skills to achieve perfection. ♦ Learn every day. ♦ Seek a coach or a mentor. ♦ Seek long-term success. ♦ Balance your business and personal life. This was great advice then and it’s great advice now. The best farriers continually practice and get better at the skills of this craft. Unrelenting 6 Reaching Establishing Focus And On Goals Business consultant Jim Collins calls this habit fanatic discipline or the 20 Mile March in his book Great by Choice. “The 20 Mile March is more than a philosophy,” he writes. “It’s 24 Getting Started In Hoof Care Evaluating how you work with horse owners and their resulting perception of you an important part of developing your business. about having concrete, clear, intel- ligent, and rigorously pursued perfor- mance mechanisms that keep you on track. The 20 Mile March creates two types of self-imposed discomfort: (1) the discomfort of unwavering commit- ment to high performance in difficult conditions, and (2) the discomfort of holding back in good conditions.” Collins lists seven major compo- nents of these goals: ♦ You must have performance markers of minimum, target and optimal goals. ♦ You must have self-imposed constraints to decide what goals you will strive for every day. ♦ You must tailor your goals to your business and its environment. ♦ You must set goals that are largely within your control to achieve. ♦ The goal should be just right for you and your team. ♦ Your goals should be designed and self-imposed by you, not by someone who doesn’t understand your business. ♦ Your goals must be consistently achieved. In his book, The Midas Touch, self-help author Robert Kiyosaki defines FOCUS as: Follow One Course Until Successful. “My favorite words of that acronym are until successful. Focus is power measured over time,” he says. “For example, it is easy for me to stay on my diet from breakfast to lunch. But to stay focused for years on the diet is the true power of focus. I have gone on diets, lost weight, gained it back, and had to lose the weight again. That is the lack of focus over time.” Here’s a quick exercise. Write down three areas that you are most productive. Next, determine if these are the areas of your business you are currently best investing your time. Is this the right area of focus? Use 8 Maximize Leverage Points And Multipliers To Productivity And Results To grow your business, you need to better leverage the assets you have. Your own individual assets aren’t enough. For another exercise, here are several questions to ask yourself and evaluate the answers: ♦ How have I leveraged times when I’m not usually busy? ♦ Is my pre-sales process more effec- tive than my competition? What am I providing to horse owners before they schedule an appointment? ♦ Are horse owners commenting on the experiences they’re having as a result of my work? ♦ Do horse owners perceive that I have additional value above and beyond just the “guy who shoes their horses?” ♦ Are my clients loyal once they’ve purchased from me (or are other competitors more persuasive in their marketing to pull these horse owners into their businesses)? ♦ Do horse owners feel that what I do is extraordinary or ordinary? ♦ What territory, niche or market American Farriers Journal |
| square am I dominating? Are there market gaps that no one is really addressing in your area? ♦ What unmet needs do horse owners have? How could I meet those better than my competitors? ♦ How well am I implementing what I learned? What am I doing to ensure that I’ll be in a different place 6 months from now? 9 Develop And A Stick Marketing It To Plan List the ways you market your farrier business to new clients in several categories. (See a worksheet at americanfarriers.com/traits to better evaluate these.) Like the other areas of this article, this evaluation is an important process for the new farrier or one who has 30 years invested in the industry. Marketing is often a subject that farriers don’t consider. The incor- rect notion is that marketing is something only big businesses use. Any successful business develops a strategy and examines it to measure its success. Improvements are made in response to unachieved goals. For example, examine the use of testimonials. This can be an effec- tive way of promoting your business. Where are you using the testimonials? Do the testimonials include the name of your business? Could they be improved by using photos or video? Testimonials are just part of the marketing plan. After performing the exercise on the American Farriers Journal website, think of new ways to better market your farrier practice as a result of this exercise. Jim Collins calls this habit “productive paranoia” or being obsessed on implementation in his book Great by Choice. “Leaders remain obsessively focused on their objectives and hypervigilant about changes in their environment; they push for perfect execution and adjust to changing condition,” he writes. Collins calls responding to changes by competitors that will affect a business as the “zoom out, zoom in” theory. Zoom out: ♦ Sense a change in conditions. ♦ Assess the time frame: how much time before the risk profile changes? ♦ Assess with rigor: Do the new conditions call for disrupting plans? If so, how? Zoom In: ♦ Focus on supreme execution of plans and objectives. When you know what you need to do, you get busy with doing it consistently. You don’t procrastinate or make excuses. Be one who implements quickly. Remember, top earners in this busi- ness or any other are those who have adopted the habit of implementation. Your Homework I encourage you to pick four of these 10 habits and adopt them by this time next year. If you work on one habit every 3 months for 20 minutes a day, it will be yours for life. Put up signs around your home or in your shoeing rig to remind yourself of the habits you are going to develop and then make it happen. Then, you will employ the behaviors and skills of the top and most highly paid farriers in this business. Jacob Butler is a Certified Journeyman Farrier and an Associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. He is the director and an instructor at Butler Professional Farrier School LLC, near Chadron, Neb. 10 Steadfast In Implementation When all is said and done, you get paid for results, not excuses. You don’t stay at the top for long by being easy on yourself. The leaders in any field are those who expect the best from themselves in every setting. This can cause stress and unhappi- ness because you are always working to implement and know you must continually do more. americanfarriers.com Getting Started In Hoof Care 25 |
| Don’t Wait To Begin Planning Your Future By Buck O’Neil, CJF P eople start businesses for many potential reasons — freedom, unlimited earnings and many others. They frequently overlook the real responsibilities they will have, including their financial future, both their own and that of the business. When a person gets a job, their employer generally takes over some of this responsibility for health care and retirement. The cost of all of this is passed down to the employer’s customers through the pricing of its products and services. Whenever you buy a gallon of fuel, box of nails or a pair of shoes, you are contributing to numerous employees’ health and retirement funds. Like many small business owners starting out, farriers are so wrapped up in getting their business off the ground, making sales and getting through today, this week and this year that they overlook the future. By the time they are comfortable enough with their business operation, they realize their future already has a big head start on them. So big, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to catch up. business 1, 3, 5, 10 and even 30 years in the future. Production-thinking operators are concerned with getting through today, while management- thinking operators are concerned with how today’s operations will contribute to their success in 30 years. Production thinkers work really hard. They are usually trying to catch Don’t neglect your future when getting your business off the ground. Make short-term and long- term plans to achieve your goals. The prices you charge need to contribute to your health care, retirement and savings. retirement and savings. The savings portion should include taxes, busi- ness reserves and personal savings. A common mistake of small business owners is that they think health care, retirement and cash reserves are a bonus to be part of excess profits if available. Instead, large businesses and successful small ones factor health care and retirement into every sale. Small business owners filing Schedule C — reporting profit and loss for sole proprietorships — with their Form 1040 tax return can take health care insurance and retire- ment contributions as an adjustment to gross income on Page 1 of the form. Health care, retirement and savings aren’t luxuries … Take A Long-Term View A common attitude among small business people is “as long as I work hard, do my best and treat people right, it will all work out in the end.” But far too often, it ends before it works out. This illustrates short- sighted “production thinking.” On the other hand, “management thinking” takes a long-term view. Management thinking looks at the 26 Getting Started In Hoof Care up but never quite do. They try to give every customer a “good deal” and hope they can make it up on volume. If they have an equipment or health problem, it puts them even further behind. In 20 years, they are still where they started and financially not much better off than the day they started the business. Management thinkers also work hard, but they also work smart. They try to give good value to valuable, reli- able customers. They realize adverse things are going to happen and try to plan for them and know they need to have the discipline to budget for them. And they know, as small business owners, when they plan for their busi- ness, they are planning for their own lives. They determine what they want from the business and make a short- term and long-term plan to achieve that goal. They estimate their produc- tion capacity and set their prices expecting to reach the plan’s goal. Those prices need to include a specific amount from every sale to contribute to their health care, Contributing To Your Future The key to financial security is to become disciplined in contributing regularly to cash reserves, health care and retirement. This should become as much a part of operating your business as stocking your truck or maintaining your tools. You must remember that small contributions add up over time. The three major financial issues are: Cash reserves. This is cash kept in a MORE ON THE WEB Read more tips from Buck O’Neil on how to build a good credit score by visiting americanfarriers.com/ careerguide15 American Farriers Journal |
| Phone: 1-800-9-CASTLE • Fax: (978) 534-9915 E-mail: castle@net1plus.com • Website: www.castleplastics.com 11 Francis Street • Leominster, MA 01453 It’s important to include contributions for your health care, retirement and sav- ings in the prices that you charge clients. savings account, ready for emergencies. This is not only to pay for that sudden transmission repair or emergency room co-pay, it’s also to cover living expenses during down time due to that hospital emergency room episode. It has been determined that 6 months living expenses are a good figure to use for optimal security. Set aside a small amount on a regular basis, say 2% to 5% of gross sales every week. Additionally, it is a good idea to establish a separate savings account for estimated tax payments. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and most states require quarterly estimated income tax payments due for the current tax year. These payments are usually based on the prior year’s tax. In most cases, federal and state tax may represent 10% to 20% of your net income. This is a good amount to set aside until there has been at least one tax return filed while operating a small business. As the business matures and substantial business records are accumulated, this figure may be refined more accurately. Failure to make timely estimated tax payments will result in penalties and interest in addition to the tax owed, along with possible legal consequences. Health and life insurance. Insurance policies are a huge bother to small business owners until they are needed — then they are life- savers. Health care insurance can be extremely expensive until you consider a broken finger can cost thousands of dollars and a broken arm tens of thousands, not counting the lost production during recovery. americanfarriers.com Consistency • Quality • Best Prices • Prompt Delivery Getting Started In Hoof Care 27 |
| Planning For Your Golden Years To maximize your retirement, here are some tips from Equifax to help you plan: `` Start Now And Be Aggressive. Since you will need at least 70% of your annual salary to live comfortably during your retirement years, you can’t afford to wait to save for retirement. If your retirement is more than 20 years away, be more aggressive to start and adjust over time. `` Protect Your Retirement Account. Injuries and illnesses can drain your retirement account. Consider opening a tax-deductible health savings account (HSA). Your money will grow in the HSA until you need it for qualified expenses. `` Understand Social Security. Don’t reduce your net earnings each year to avoid paying a large amount of Social Security tax. Reducing your earnings now can mean that you aren’t earning enough to qualify for benefits later. `` Take Advantage Of Deductions. Write off your retirement contributions when filing your income taxes. Pay close attention to maximize contri- bution levels. Discuss your options with a tax professional. Health policies with high deduct- ible amounts are available at some- what reasonable rates. Along with high deductible policies, self-employed people have the option of Health Savings Accounts (IRS Publication 969). These accounts allow taxpayers to make tax-deductible contribu- tions to an account to be used solely Time Out! FREEZE- DRIED HOOF M ODELS Cut explanation time and improve client understanding. n No chemicals n Lasts For Years n Clean n Quick delivery n Visa/MasterCard for the payment of medical care not paid by their private health insurance coverage. Self-employed people have the option of a tax-deductible contri- bution of as much as 65% of their health insurance premium each year. Retirement. Many self-employed people think they will be healthy and productive until the day they pass away, so they inadequately prepare for a retire- ment that may last 20 to 40 years, often as long as their working lives. And then they find themselves spending their “golden years” living at a subsistence level rather than a comfortable level. Self-employed people have two basic options for tax-deductible retirement accounts. The simple Individual Retirement Account (IRA) allows tax-deductible contributions of as much as $5,500 per year ($6,500 for taxpayers who are older than 50 years of age). (See IRS publication 590, at irs.gov.) Simplified Employee Plans (SEP) allow deductible contributions of as much as 25% of the taxpayer’s income (contributions are limited to $52,000 per year with other limitations. See IRS publications 560 and 4333 at irs.gov.) There is no minimum contribution, but the more dollars contributed, the greater the return at retirement. The sooner you start a plan, the longer contributions have to grow. Over a taxpayer’s lifetime, the tax savings and growth in retirement accounts can far outweigh the contributions. Cost Of Doing Business Financial planning is an essen- tial part of good management. For the self-employed, good business management represents good life management. Good managers know the short- and long-term goals of their enterprises. They use their business records to make good decisions to stay aligned with those goals. A sound financial plan is a major part of those goals. For the self-employed, the goals of their business are the goals for their lives. Health care, retirement and savings aren’t luxuries — they are as much the cost of doing business as your supplies and truck. They should be part of the price of every horse that you shoe or trim from the first day you are in business. Remember: it’s a business. Buck O’Neil is a farrier from Horse Shoe, N.C., who holds a master’s degree in taxation. Horse Science AnAtomy StudieS Allie Hayes P.O. Box 221 • West Boxford, MA 01885 Phone: 978/352-6336 • Fax: 978/352-5238 E-mail: horsescience@comcast.net Web site: www.horsescience.com 28 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| Go Digital To Manage Your Farrier Practice By American Farriers Journal Staff A farrier practice is a business — that is no surprise. As professionals, practitioners have a responsibility to maintain accurate records, schedule properly, bill and receive payment promptly, and track performance. At the same time, farriers also should keep records on clients and the type of work conducted on their horses, including photographs of the feet or radiographs shared by veterinarians. As you build your practice, you likely will gain dozens of clients, and details on their specific horses and any long-range measures and goals can be difficult to recall. Accurate notes on horses must be accessible at all times, as farriers never know when a client might call with an issue. Having crucial infor- mation about the horse in hand, rather than sitting in a file cabinet, saves time and money. Professionals, such as veterinar- ians, like to work with other profes- sionals and often will recommend those who appear more professional, as it makes them look better to their own clients. Handwritten notes can still manage a practice, but proper use of computer technology can improve efficiency and professionalism, while ensuring the accuracy of accounting and record keeping. Move Beyond Handwritten Starting out as a farrier, you should consider skipping pen and paper and manage aspects of your business with 30 Getting Started In Hoof Care software. Farriers of the previous generation who utilize computer tech- nology for records and invoicing say the first transition step is to recognize the motivation. John Dobbs, owner of Advanced Equine in Wichita, Kan., started his business, like most farriers of his generation, with a handwritten calendar in which he tried to keep up with his schedule, what was owed him and who had paid. However, he realized that he was losing money because customers occasionally were being overlooked. “I started with a calendar and Using software portrays you as a stronger hoof- care professional. Keeping records can help you in a dispute with a client. Mobile payment devices can help you collect payments for quicker cash flow. effects that recordkeeping software had on his time. The British farrier has identified several time-saving benefits of using software to manage his business: ♦♦ No need for duplicate entries. ♦♦ Quickly generate financial reports. ♦♦ Easy monitoring of product use and inventory. ♦♦ Immediate access to information on the horses needed by both veteri- narians and insurance companies. ♦♦ Ability for financial planning, fore- casting expenses, etc. The customer has a greatly different expectation of working with a farrier than often what the farrier does … realized that I was losing thousands of dollars a year because customers don’t call until the shoes fall off,” says Dobbs. When David Nicholls started in farriery, home computers didn’t exist. “I know that there are people who shy away from computers, but I see their use as just the same as any new technique,” explains the West Sussex, England, farrier. “Continued profes- sional development is normal in almost every other industry, so why should farriery be any different? I see farriery as a business, so I had no problem integrating software into my farriery business.” Nicholls quickly saw the positive Farrier-Specific Systems There’s no shortage of small busi- ness accounting software programs for both computers and mobile devices. These programs work well for maintaining invoices, payments, taxes and even employee records. Others can be used for scheduling to maintain contact with clients for on-time regular visits. And with today’s technology, invoices can be emailed or printed, depending on a client’s preference, and payment can be accepted online or via debit and credit cards. Unfortunately, they aren’t designed with farriers in mind and may require formatting to adapt to a farrier business. There are, however, accounting American Farriers Journal |
| and scheduling programs designed specifically for farriers. There are similarities among these, but also differences. Each one has a website so you can learn more about the product. You can also reference our chart at americanfarriers.com/careerguide15. BillThis. The BillThis software for farriers is available on smart- phones, tablets and desktop or laptop computers. It allows the user to invoice and accept payment through PayPal. It also lets you manage inven- tory on your rig, manage appoint- ments, create routes and collaborate with others within a practice. As an additional service, BillThis can import your client contact information into the program. You can learn more about BillThis at billthis.com/farriers. “There are essential skills you need to be successful as farriers,” says Robert van Dam, founder of BillThis. “Certainly the actual skill set to do the work, but without the skill to run a business, it doesn’t matter if you are skilled as a horseshoer. Otherwise, your business will fail.” As a small business owner for 3 decades, van Dam understands the need to invoice promptly and remain in contact with customers so that you are on their minds. “Your customers will usually be affluent — after all, they can afford horses — they care about horses, are engaged and are connected online,” he says. “The customer has a greatly different expectation of working with a farrier than often what the farrier does.” Van Dam’s goal with this app is to alleviate much of the management the farrier has to do after hours. For example, inventory management is critical. Using his software will allow you to know when you need to order supplies, rather than being without the necessary inventory while in the field. Using an app like this is a way to distinguish yourself from compe- tition, according to van Dam. Presenting this professional image removes the concern about raising prices because the “other guy” charges less. Perhaps he does charge less, but does that farrier cater to clients as well as you do? americanfarriers.com “Determine the value that you provide to the customer,” he says. EEDS. The Equine Educational and Diagnostic Software (EEDS) from TTI Enterprises is designed for farriers with record locations for both client accounts and methods used. You can view and share images and X-rays with your footcare clients and colleagues. It also employs a complete accounting system. You can learn more about this software at ttienterprises.org/members. Billy Bishop of Inverness, Fla., is both a farrier and representative with EEDS. He says keeping digital records proves your worth to a client. “In this field, it seems to me that there is more value placed on you if you have salt and pepper hair than that of a young person,” he says. “People want experience. With records, you can demonstrate expertise.” Bishop adds that when customers see you taking notes and reviewing them, they will perceive you as more profes- sional than that of farriers who don’t. “When clients see me taking pictures or entering records, they can tell that I’m engaged, that I’m not there taking money,” he says. If you want to incorporate software into your practice, Bishop says to start slow. Start with a small set of horses and learn the software before incorpo- rating it into your entire practice. Besides utilization of software, Bishop recommends using a tablet with equine anatomy apps on it so that you can better explain principles of anatomy and biomechanics to clients. Farriers Manager and Barefoot Manager. Based in England, Ambrit Software Ltd. began operation in 2001. It offers farrier and barefoot practitioner versions of their “tradi- tional” and mobile software. Farriers Manager specifically was designed to provide electronic record keeping for farriers, providing locations for client contact, scheduling and bookkeeping, similar to general business software programs. You can learn more at ambritsoftware.com. EEDS Farrier ™ The first all-in-one App offering a total solution to all your practice needs. NO INTERNET NECESSARY / Available on Ipad and Android / Access Your Entire Practice 24/7 / Completely Mobile / User Friendly & Strong Tech Support Created by a Farrier for Farriers • Share Images with owners, vets and other farriers with the Imaging Module. • Keep detailed records on: clients, horses, shoes and supplies used, hoof angles, etc. Make notes using both the notes feature and hoof graphic with the Practice Management Module. • Print and email invoices and collect Paypal payments through the Invoicing Module. • Get an accurate financial picture of your business through the Accounting Module. • Available to purchase on the Apple app store and the Sony play store. WANT TO KNOW MORE? CONTACT US! (800)905-7752 | eeds@ttienterprises.org Getting Started In Hoof Care 31 |
| Using Mobile Payment Devices Mobile payment devices have become popular with small business operators for credit card processing on the site of a transaction. Sumter, S.C., farrier Drew Mo- rales has built a mobile payment option into his farrier practice. After a couple of years, he reports that he has improved his ability to collect from clients using this technology. Many mobile payment devices attach to your smartphone and allow you to accept debit and credit card payments. There are many designs, but you may find one that attaches directly to your smartphone through the headphone port as the most practical for your business. Before selecting a specific device, Morales says to consider the following: `` Cost of the device. `` Service fee (monthly). `` Swipe/transaction fee. `` Credit/debit card brands accepted by the company. `` Ability to link the payments to your personal/busi- ness account. `` Ability to link sales and earnings to business man- agement programs. “Aside from knowing a customer’s brand of credit/ debit card and having working cellphone reception, farriers should simply ask their customer what payment option they prefer,” says Morales. “According to sev- eral farriers I asked, the vast majority of customers have chosen to pay with plastic.” REVOLUTIONIZING LAMENESS TREATMENT AND HOOFCARE HOME TO YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS White Lightning ® Denoix Series Shapers ® Super Dura Aprons ProFast & ProSlow Supreme Support and More! Client Convenience There are a few conveniences that this tool offers your clients. First, you are providing a service that a client is accustomed to. Whether at a brick-and-mortar store or an online retailer, few businesses don’t ac- cept credit cards. You allow the purchase behavior clients expect. It also offers a convenient way for clients to pay, either at the barn using a card reader or remotely from their desktop or handheld device. They don’t need cash on hand or to remember to bring a checkbook. By paying with credit card, clients will have sev- eral weeks until they need to reimburse the bank that issued that credit card. They may not have the available funds in a bank account at the time of your service. Therefore the client views it as a convenience, but it also ensures your prompt payment. Not A Cure-All He does find some problems with this though. Chief among these is if you mainly work on horses while the customer is not present, then the standard method of writing you a check or leaving cash may be more suitable. The use of the mobile payment device greatly depends on your customer base and your business needs. Morales adds that the tool’s limitation is key too, with these services only offering payment collection. John Fligg, the founder of Ambrit Software says it is crucial for farriers to understand what exactly they are trying to accomplish with a product and how the product accomplishes that goal. For example, people favor smartphones as devices these days. However, perhaps your software won’t display to your liking due to a smaller screen. “You soon realize that a tablet is a better device, screen-wise,” he says. “The media teaches that smartphones are the in thing and that smartphones can do anything, and the consumer is mislead. Their expectations are beyond the reality.” iForgeAhead. iForgeAhead is an Internet-based program that can be used across the gambit of available devices — laptops, tablets and smartphones. It allows multiple users to access informa- tion, while allowing for the main user to limit certain information, such as finan- cial records, and even eliminate access if needed. Workers can view needed GRANDCIRCUITINC.COM 888-427-5521 or 502-969-6949 info@grandgircuit.com 32 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| information on horses and clients, but can’t access the entire system. If you don’t have an Internet connection at a barn, the system utilizes a remote app. You can learn more about this at iforgeahead.com. Julie Schwalm of Backroads Data, the creator of iForgeAhead, says you should commit to the software for the initial point of usage. A haphazard approach will result in decreased effi- ciency and lost productivity. Like any system, data entry is a chore that no one looks forward to. With record-keeper software, there is a lot of data concerning your customers and their horses. Schwalm says you can best take advantage of the technology by having customers perform the data entry. “In the cases where the customer is there while you are working, pull up the program before you begin working and have them enter the information. They can do this while you work on the horses. This saves you from doing the work, as well as improving the accuracy of the data.” Schwalm says it also gives a feeling of involvement for the customer. “When you are starting out, you are building a brand,” she adds. “By immediately managing the business more professionally, it creates an image the clients buy into.” She recommends using automa- tion to improve your contact with customers, such as appointment reminders. “Using tools like appointment reminders sometimes are worth the cost of the program,” she reasons. “Saving you from missing one appointment could cover that cost.” Getting started with any of these programs requires discussions with clients to alleviate any concerns about privacy and loss of information. Farriers have to be diligent to main- tain the safety of customers’ informa- tion, and explain any safety measures and backup systems. Also, farriers need to explain how this will be beneficial to clients and their horses’ care, as well as what will be needed from clients, such as an email address and acceptable forms of payment. It is important to ensure safe payment for clients, but, once again, most people fully understand credit cards, PayPal and bank transfers. “I have never had a client refuse my request for their details,” says Nicholls. “It has always been a posi- tive response and improved my professional standing with clients, setting me above others.” These programs require manual insertion of information at the begin- ning. None offer automatic crossover, especially from handwritten diaries. Nicholls allows clients to input their own information and updates annu- ally. For those few who aren’t keen on computers, he has them confirm information on a paper record and later enters the information. Clients will be impressed with your creation and access to records, but Nicholls has found a way to further engage them. By having clients input some information, you solidify their role as a team member rather than simply being a customer. “I input the client name and ask them to input the horse and personal information,” he says. “Or I get them to put all that information on a printed form that replicates the software. I input that at the end of the day.” “This is useful if there is any dispute regarding your work. You can show clients’ positive progress in improving their horses’ feet or the condition they are suffering from. This is great for keeping clients happy and marketing yourself as a top professional at the same time.” Choosing And Using A Program With the multitude of programs available, farriers have to choose which is best for their business practices. This brings up some ques- tions, such as: Do you want to be fully electronic? Do you need photo capabilities? Do you want a down- loaded version? Or one that is Internet based? And, of course, how much do you want to spend? americanfarriers.com Getting Started In Hoof Care 33 |
| Career Guide GEAR Get More Bang For Your Buck When Buying Tools By Jeff Cota, Associate Editor W hat’s a better way to celebrate the dawn of your farrier career than tool shopping? There’s no doubt that the tempta- tion runs high to grab the top-of- the-line pair of nippers that are polished so brightly that a pair of sunglasses should come standard with them. While the feel and performance of a high-quality tool often are worth the price, many young farriers have a steep financial mountain to climb when starting out. “Young people, especially those coming out of school, need to budget their money,” advises Lucedale, Miss., farrier Dan Bradley, a clini- cian for GE Forge & Tool. “You can’t compare the cost of being in the business now to what it was in the early ’70s or late ’60s. Buy a tool now that’s a little less expensive and budget money for down the road to be able to get the more expensive tool.” Yet, there’s an old adage that many farriers live by — you get what you pay for. “Good tools are not expensive,” says Bob Schantz, owner of Spanish Lake Blacksmith Shop, “cheap tools are.” might not need it. “Largely, it depends on what level of work you are doing — not the quality of your work, but how many and the type of horses your are working with,” says Danny Ward, owner of the Danny Ward Horseshoeing School in Martinsville, Va. “Your goal is to find reliable, professional tools that will hold up to the day-to-day wear and tear.” To get a better idea about tools and supplies, don’t be shy about approaching those who know — farrier school instructors and experi- Good tools are not expensive, cheap tools are … Doing your homework before buying tools and supplies can save you money and ensure that you’re buying what you need. Improving your forging skills can save you money and limit the amount of horseshoes you have to carry around. Regular maintenance and proper treatment will help protect your investment by extending the life of your tools. enced farriers. “Usually the person who is teaching the trade will be a good source of information on what tools and initial supplies a new farrier will need,” Schantz says. “Asking other farriers what shoe styles and sizes are most common in the area they will be shoeing in is a good way to get the right products.” Join a local farrier organization. It will have a list of members from your Continued on Page 36 Do You Need It? Resisting the impulse buy is important for another reason — you 34 Getting Started In Hoof Care It’s important to select reliable tools that will withstand the rigors of day-to-day farriery. American Farriers Journal |
| For all your horseshoeing needs… NC Tool Company Call for a free catalog 800/446-6498 Or Visit us at www.nctoolco.com Shop here for a complete line of farrier products. |
| Continued from Page 34 region you can contact and ask what shoes are most popular in your area and discipline. Supplies are needed, but you don’t have to stock everything. After getting to know your area, its clients and what you are working with, it becomes easier to decide what you need for inventory. “When I buy supplies in the summer months, I try to double up on the popular sizes,” Ward says. “In the winter, they come in handy. A pile of shoes, nails and supplies in the corner is like a savings account.” One way to reduce costs is by relying on your skills at the anvil. “I know of one experienced farrier who recommends that young farriers buy only size 0 and 2 plain horseshoes,” recalls the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer. “He says that forces them to use their forge to crop heels on the 0s if they need a 00, and on the 2s if they need a size 1. He feels this method gives them the full line of shoe sizes since Form A Co-Op And Save Supply shops often give discounts for bulk purchases. It might make more sense to join with other farriers to form a buying co-op. If you have similar needs in supplies, you can combine your money to get the items you need, receiving the discount without shouldering the entire purchase cost. Before you buy, determine whether the amount of supplies and the money tied up in the purchases are worth the discount. For instance, if you spend a significant amount and it takes more than a year to use that inventory, was the discount worth the negative effect on your cash flow? the last nail holes in many of the shoes are not used anyway.” Let’s Go Shopping Once you’ve figured out what tools and supplies you need, it’s time to make friends with your supply shop. “More often, people are using the Internet to buy from manufacturers and suppliers,” Ward says. “Don’t forget, supplies and tools aren’t light stuff. If shipping costs are involved, it might be cheaper to buy from a local supplier at the brick and mortar store.” If you decide to buy online, be sure to comparison shop. “When it is time to buy, bring up the online suppliers you will normally use and click on everything on your shop- ping list,” says the Hall Of Fame farrier. “You’ll see your entire purchase there, down to the shipping cost. After you do this with all of the suppliers, you’ll find the best prices. You can usually find deals like free or discounted shipping if you buy above a certain dollar amount.” While exercising your critical shopping skills, be sure you are doing so safely. “Make sure that the payment section of the website is secured by one of the major companies such as VeriSign and FARRIER TRAINING DEVICE All procedures you can perform on a live hoof can also be performed on Blacksmith Buddy’s interchangeable hooves. Made with prosthetic joints and weighted for tension, Blacksmith Buddy feels like a live horse. Blacksmith Buddy Jr. Hoofjack not included. BLACKSMITHBUDDY.COM 800-856-SHOE(7463) 36 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| Authorize.net,” Schantz advises. “Find out the return and shipping policies such as restocking fees and back orders.” A farrier also can maximize the value of purchases by using credit cards that offer rewards. “I know a farrier who pays for all of his supplies with an airline credit card,” says the Foristell, Mo., farrier. “He buys a month’s worth of supplies shortly after the closing of the account each month. He then has 30 days before the bill comes and another 30 days before he has to pay it. He and his wife take trips to Ireland every couple of years with airline tickets paid with the points he accumulates from buying gas and farrier supplies.” Make Your Tools Last When plopping down your hard- earned cash to buy tools, it’s wise to protect that investment to ensure peak performance and longevity. “The best way to extend the lives americanfarriers.com of your tools is to use them for what they are designed for,” Ward says. “Using a hoof and wire brush to clean dirt and rocks from a hoof prior to trimming will save wear and tear on your hoof knife, nippers and rasps.” Proper storage, treatment and use will help you get more bang for your buck. “Carelessness or rough treatment of any tool,” Schantz says, “will shorten its life.” Regular maintenance, particularly with riveted tools, will help keep more money in your pocket. “I just use 3-in-One Oil on my riveted tools,” Bradley says. “It’s a real light machine oil. If you’re going to take care of the rivet, you just open it up and run a bead across the rivet.” The more humid regions of the country will require a little more attention. “Once you clean up the tool,” he says, “just wipe it down with a light oil or whatever to keep the rust off.” Many companies offer rebuilding services for half the price of a new tool. However, a handy do-it-yourselfer can save money rebuilding a tool. “Your crease nail pullers, clincher, clinch cutter and other tools can be dressed up with files and grinders, as most are made of good steel,” Ward says. “Make sure your investment in a handmade tool doesn’t exceed what you would pay a supplier for.” Care must be taken, though, when maintaining your tools. If done incor- rectly, the tool could be damaged. “If for some reason you heat something up to adjust it, just air cool it — don’t apply water. The longer your tools do a quality job, the more money stays in your pocket. When a tool has outlived its original use, it doesn’t have to be tossed into the scrap heap. Use some creativity and keep money in your pocket. “When they are absolutely worn out, make something else out of your tools,” Ward says. “Give them new life. For example, clinchers make great tongs and nippers make good hoof testers.” Getting Started In Hoof Care 37 |
| What You Need To Get Started You’re going to be working with a limited budget starting out. Yet, there is a basic set of tools you’ll need, whether you’re shoeing full- or part-time. The quality of your tools largely will depend on what you can afford. Below is a list of the minimum tools you will need to trim and shoe horses. The column represents the average mid-range cost. In many of these categories, there are tool options that fall higher and lower in cost. Tools Price Anvil (100 lb. or less) $319 Apron $139 Clinch block $21 Clinchers $97 Clinch cutters $44 Dividers $11 Driving hammer $115 Rounding hammer $118 Fire tongs $70 Forge (propane) $527 Hoof gauge $34 Hoof knife $51 Knife sharpener $21 Nail puller $66 Nippers $110 Propane tank $34 Rasps (2) $53 Rasp handles $9 Pulloffs $84 Shoeing box Total $208 $2,131 Supplies Price Size 000 shoes (3 pair) $18 Size 00 shoes (4 pair) $19 Size 0 shoes (6 pair) $28 Size 1 shoes (6 pair) $28 Size 2 shoes (3 pair) $15 Size 3 shoes (3 pair) $17 Barstock (10 feet of 5/16-inch-x-3/4-inch) $47 Barstock (10 feet of 1/4-inch-x-1-inch) $54 Hoof packing material $42 Nails (5 city head) $19 Pads (flat, 4 pair) $30 Total $317 These prices are averages taken from the mid-range priced items from three suppliers based in the East Coast, South and West Coast. The prices are rounded to the nearest dollar. The total doesn’t include sales tax or shipping costs. Nordic Forge Inc. Farrier Tools and Horseshoes PO Box 909 - 807 N. 5th Street ph. 563-252-1707 erikk@nordicforgeinc.com www.nordicforgeinc.com 38 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| Expand Your Hoof-Care Knowledge at the world’s leading equine footcare event! International Hoof-Care Summit Duke Energy Center and Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio By attending the annual International Hoof-Care Summit each winter, you’ll see why footcare professionals from around the world return to this innovative event year after year. With hours of classes, roundtables, lectures, networking, camara- derie and the world’s largest hoof-care product trade show, attending the Summit is the best way for you to invest in your education and prepare your business to more effectively face today’s economic challenges. Save the dates! The annual IHCS will take place on the following dates: Special Discount Offer! If you are a student, recent shoeing school graduate or an apprentice*, you can attend the Summit for nearly half off the already discounted early bird rate. Call (866) 839-8455 and lock in your rate of $194.50 for 76 hours of classes, round- tables, lectures, networking, camaraderie and the world’s largest hoof-care trade show. Feb. 2 – 5, 2016 Jan. 24 – 27, 2017 Jan. 23 – 27, 2018 The Summit is the only hoof-care event offering a money-back, no-questions-asked satisfaction guarantee. 5 Easy Ways To Register Or To Get More Information Phone: (866) 839-8455 or (262) 782-4480 Fax: (262) 782-1252 Email: info@americanfarriers.com Online: www.americanfarriers.com/student16 Mail: IHCS, P.O. Box 624, Brookfield, WI 53008-0624 *If you are an apprentice, your mentor must attend for you to get the discounted rate. |
| Client Failing To Pay? Here’s How To Collect By Esco Buff, CF, APF, PhD C lients who fail to pay for hoof-care services are a problem that every farrier experiences at some point in his or her career. There are a variety of cases and reasons as to why clients don’t pay their farriers. By understanding the United States govern- ment’s definitions of non-payments and reviewing the basics for collecting, you can be better prepared for making sure more of the money you earn gets to your pocket. ♦♦ You can collect debts by hiring an attorney or using a collection agency. ♦♦ Sue the offender in your state’s small claims court. Follow the ensuing procedure discussed in the bad check collection section. The latter two, especially the second, have costs associated with them, so make sure the probable sum Allowing late payments to persist is detrimental to your business. Supply each client with your late payments and bad check policies. In case of a bad check, contact the client to address the issue. person who issued the SP acted in bad faith. In most states, you can sue for the amount of the check plus damages for up to three times the amount of the check. Another interesting fact is a bank may cash a check even if the writer of the check had put a stop payment on it. If the SP was done orally, such as by phone, the stop payment is only valid for 14 days. If the SP was done in writing, it is valid for 6 months. The owner of the check can renew stop payments. Non-sufficient funds checks. An NSF check occurs when the owner of the check didn’t have enough money in the account to cover the check. NSF or bounced checks can be an expensive hassle. They occur more frequently today because of electronic check cashing, which means banks don’t have to actually process your physical check. Digital substitute checks can be presented instead. That means checks can clear within a few hours instead of a few days. There are several ways to collect on NSF checks. A bank may cash a check even if a stop payment is placed on it … Unpaid Invoices Each day, millions of small busi- nesses are getting stiffed or are not paid on time. In fact, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, slow or late payments are the most significant issue businesses encounter when it comes to getting the money they’re rightfully owed. Like most small business owners, dealing with late payments is not your specialty. Constantly letting late payments slide makes you look bad, is unprofessional and financially hurts you and your family. There are three ways to demand payment on unpaid invoices or bills: ♦♦ Send a collection letter to the offender requesting payment on the unpaid invoice. Sample collection letters can be easily found on the Internet, as well as in many business supply stores. 40 Getting Started In Hoof Care you recover exceeds the time and finances you are willing to invest in the collection. Bad Checks A bad check is a check that you can’t cash. The two types of bad checks are stop payment (SP) and non-sufficient funds (NSF) or bounced checks. Stop payment checks. An SP check occurs when the owner of the check requests that the bank stop payment. Sometimes there are valid reasons for stopping payment on a check, such as the goods or service paid were never delivered or were defective. This is known as a “good faith dispute.” State SP check regulations vary. In some states, SPs can’t be done on any service checks and in other states, it is allowed but only for “good faith” reasons. Usually, if a check you cashed was returned because a stop payment was placed on it, you may take legal action. For your lawsuit to be successful, you must show that the How To Collect On Bad Checks First and foremost, you should post your returned check policy and the fee that you charge somewhere on your footcare invoice, as well as on an easily seen area of your farrier vehicle. Secondly, and especially for newer customers, make sure you record their American Farriers Journal |
| phone number and driver’s license number on the check, if permitted by your state’s laws. This can be most helpful in contacting the check writer if the check comes back as NSF. State laws address the penalties for writing bad checks. There are gener- ally two types of penalties for NSF checks: civil and criminal. Civil penalties address how much the recipient can collect after receiving a bad check. In some states, this can be much more than the amount of the bad check, and may include double or triple the amount of the check plus attorney fees and damages. In criminal penalties, the bad check writer can be prosecuted and even arrested. NSF checks typically become criminal matters when there is an intent to defraud on the part of the check writer. The majority of bounced check cases do not involve criminal penalties, as most people cover a bad check as soon as possible. Here are steps for collecting on SP and NSF checks: americanfarriers.com Small claims court is an effective way to collect small debts because it’s inexpensive, fairly quick and no lawyer is necessary. 1 Contact the check writer as soon as you know about a bad check. Ask them to make good on the bad check or pay you in cash. Be careful about when you call the customer and how often. Laws in several states limit what you can do to collect debts. To avoid problems, call only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Maintain politeness in your request for payment. Keep a record of the date and time you contacted the check writer. Give the check writer a dead- line of 1 to 2 weeks to make good on the check. I advise accepting a postal money order, bank check or cash from the check writer to avoid a second returned check. If the check writer does not make good on the bad check, send a cer- tified letter. Include a return receipt, with the demand for payment on the bounced check. In your letter, demand to be paid within 30 days and include the following: the amount of the check, the cost of certified mail and the service fee charged by your bank. Thirty-five states have bad check 2 Getting Started In Hoof Care 41 |
| laws that are particularly favorable to businesses. In such states, if you send a written demand for payment, you may be able to collect extra damages in court. After a few days, ask the client’s bank whether the check is good, as the customer may have deposited suffi- cient funds after the bounced check was returned. You can check the status of an account by calling the bank and saying 3 you are holding a check for a certain dollar amount and asking whether there is enough in the account to cover it. If so, take the returned check to their bank and cash it. Another option is asking the customer’s bank for enforced col- lection. If the bank offers this service, the bad check will be held in a special category. The next money deposited in the client’s account will go to you. 4 Post your returned check policy and the fee on your footcare invoice … If you aren’t paid within 30 days from the date of the certified letter, you can sue in small claims court. The SP or NSF must be less than the maximum amount you can sue for in your state’s small claims court. Most states have limits of $2,000 to $5,000. If you’ve followed the bad check procedures in your state, you may be entitled to two or three times the amount of the check as damages, as well as your court filing and service of process costs. Small claims court is particularly well suited to collecting small debts because it’s inexpensive, fairly quick and you don’t need a lawyer. If you file a suit in small claims court and your customer doesn’t show up when they are supposed to, you’ll win the case by default. A substantial percentage of customers don’t contest claims for unpaid fees in court because they know that they owe the money and can’t win. If you file a Small Claims Court claim, you must produce a copy of your written demand and a signed, certified mail receipt showing its delivery, or attempted delivery if refused, to the owner’s address. Another option is to subscribe to a check recovery service to handle collections on bad checks. Their fees are a legitimate business expense and they take the hassle and embar- rassment of dealing with bad check writers out of your hands. You can set up these services so bad checks go directly from your bank to the check recovery service. They will begin electronic collection of the bad check and send you a report. Esco Buff, CF, APF, of Webster, N.Y., holds a PhD in business administration and is a member of the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame. 42 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| 5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Investing In A Farrier Rig By Jeff Cota, Associate Editor A reliable, well-planned farrier rig is a costly, yet necessary investment. It stores your tools, equipment and supplies. It’s a rolling billboard that promotes your business. Simply put, it’s your office, and it needs to serve your needs efficiently to maximize your income potential. While the price tag is consider- able, you have a number of options from which to choose. If you plan to trim horses, a compact car and a minimal set of tools will do the trick. Like most new farriers, if you have a modest client list, a truck bed cap or tonneau — a waterproof metal cover for your truck bed — might fulfill your needs. If you use your vehicle for purposes other than farriery, a trailer might be your best choice. Or, if you are fortunate enough to have a healthy client list, your practice might demand a full-size pickup with a customized body. With so many choices, here are some questions to ask yourself before committing to such a large investment. 1 Where I Do Start? Although researching farrier rigs isn’t as easy as comparing reviews for pickups, resources are abundant. Ask around. Pick the brains of estab- lished farriers or your shoeing school instructors. Those who are estab- lished in the trade often have owned multiple rigs during their careers and can offer advice on what has and hasn’t worked for them. 44 Getting Started In Hoof Care Of course, rig manufacturers and farrier supply companies are good resources to mine information. “Farriers are pretty much looking for two things: efficiency and cost effectiveness,” says Lou Sposito of Stonewell Bodies in Genoa, N.Y. It’s all about organization and smooth workflow … “We achieve that by listening to the customer, trying to understand what their business requires and trying to come up with innovative solutions to their specific applications.” 2 What Do Need? I Really It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of the “dream rig” that’s fully stocked with top-of-the-line tools, inverters and stereo systems. However, it’s best to keep the bigger picture in mind. “We have farriers come in here all the time and say, ‘I want this and I want that,’” Sposito says. “You don’t need to buy an inverter when you’re going to shoe one horse a month in a pasture.” Instead, focus on the necessities and start with a budget. “Based on the budget you come up with,” advises Brent Chidsey of Bay Horse Innovations in Cynthiana, Ky., “try to focus on the things that are most practical, meaning forges, grinders and storage, as opposed to Established farriers, supply companies and manufacturers can help point you in the right direction about which rig will benefit you the most. The organization of your farrier rig should save you time and money. Buying a rig is a major investment in your future. Take care of that future with regular maintenance. Explore financing options to smooth your path to securing a loan. microwaves, coffee makers, inverters and those sorts of things.” Your location, clientele and life- style play a vital role in your rig choice. “You need to know your clientele before deciding whether you are going to need a bigger rig, smaller rig, a cap on your truck or a trailer,” explains Jeremey Fox, a repre- sentative of Finger Lakes Custom Manufacturing in Skaneateles, N.Y. “You have to figure out what’s going to best suit where you’re traveling and what you’re doing.” If you live in a climate that encoun- ters snow, a four-wheel drive truck might be the best choice. However, if you’re working in a rural setting, a trailer might suit your needs. “It all comes down to your life- style,” Chidsey says. “You have to ask yourself, what are your needs at this point in your life?” If you already have a truck, your choices certainly aren’t limited. “A cap is definitely a beautiful starter if you just want to get a nice American Farriers Journal |
| Photo: Finger Lakes Custom Manufacturing A well-organized rig keeps most of your equipment within arm’s reach to maximize efficiency. Any wasted movement costs farriers time, and consequently, money. rig set up,” says Neal Purdy, owner of Finger Lakes Custom Manufacturing. “It’s all in what you can afford. I understand these are big purchases, but they don’t have to be. They can be functional and affordable. The extras that would be nice to have, but don’t really need, can come with time.” A similar choice is a tonneau cover, which costs about half of a traditional unit. “A tonneau cover with an anvil swing-out is a very efficient unit for a farrier who goes home every night,” suggests John Halko of Georgia Farrier Supply in Jasper, Ga. “Your fuel efficiency is probably 20% better than with a full truck body.” Choice 3 How Can My My Efficiency? Improve A rig should provide a farrier with a smooth and fluid center of opera- americanfarriers.com EDUCATION THROUGH COMPETITION worldchampionshipblacksmiths.com or like us on Facebook PO Box 382 Edgewood, NM 87015 | (505) 281-8982 Getting Started In Hoof Care 45 |
| 5 Ways To Outfit Your Pickup Photo: Georgia Farrier Supply `` Install a sliding bed to make it easier to reach tools and work at the anvil or forge. `` To maximize efficiency, install forge and anvil swing- outs in rigs with caps and tonneau covers. `` In rigs with caps, fully utilize available ceiling space. `` Every tool should have a permanent storage area that should be easily reached in your truck. `` Frequently used tools and equipment should be stored together in the same area. A swing-out anvil is one of the most efficient features that a farrier can add to a rig. It spares you the necessity of picking up and carrying your anvil several times a day. tion that maximizes efficiency. Any wasted movement costs you time and money. “It’s all about organization and a smooth workflow, as far as setup goes,” Purdy says. “These things are like snowflakes — there are no two alike. We really involve the person in the setup and how they like to see it flow. We’ll throw suggestions in there, whether they take them is up to the customer.” Heeding that advice is a good idea, especially considering the thousands upon thousands of rigs they have made over the years. “A shoeing rig is like working in a factory,” Halko says. “You don’t make a widget at station A, then take it 20 feet away to put a hole in it at station B. You try to do all of your operations right there in one area. Everything should be within arm’s length.” One example in which a swing- out tool can improve efficiency is the aforementioned anvil. “An anvil swing-out doesn’t cost you anything,” Halko says. “The average farrier can shoe eight horses a day. If a farrier charges $100 a horse, that’s $800 a day. But with an anvil swing-out, a farrier can do nine horses a day. So after a week, the anvil swing-out is paid for. It puts $100 in your pocket after the first week, every day for as long as you shoe horses. BLACKSMITH TRAVEL TRAILER – USED 5’x55”, 6’ long. Fully equipped w/steel arm that swings out. New anvil, filing vice, extendable forge, 2 welding tanks, shoeing box w/tools, hammer & tongs. For further information and more detailed photos please call. $3500 Call 561-383-1375. 46 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| 4 How Can Fuel My Costs? Choice Save While fuel prices are lower than a year ago (the average 2015 mid- summer price for regular gasoline per gallon is $2.83, while diesel is $2.81, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration), more manufacturers are seeing farriers move to smaller rigs. americanfarriers.com “There’s a lot of attention being given to fuel efficiency,” Sposito says. “We’ve seen rigs that have gone from large, dually rigs to the introduction of Sprinter and Transit vans, as well as an upswing in trailer sales.” If cost efficiency is your top priority, there are two options to consider. “If you break it down, a cap is going to be the most efficient, just simply because of weight,” Fox says. “A cap and a body are going to be similar because when a body is put on, the bed of the pickup comes off. I’ve found that a trailer knocks off 2 to 3 miles a gallon for most vehicles.” The materials used to build the rigs also play a role in saving fuel. “If the customer just really wants a dually, the best thing we can do is keep the rig light, keep it aero- dynamic and manage the amount of content for weight reduction, usability and space,” Sposito explains. “Trailers are very light and can be Photo: Stonewell Bodies & Machine Inc. That’s about the energy it gains you for the average full-time farrier. That’s the dollars and cents of it.” Focusing on the necessities of your practice often increases effi- ciency. “After a farrier has been in the business for awhile, they realize they really don’t need all of this stuff and you see them begin to downsize,” says Chidsey, who started as a farrier 25 years ago in Ithaca, N.Y. “The most common thing I hear when a farrier changes rigs is, ‘I cleaned out my rig and I found stuff that I haven’t used in 5 years.” Slide-outs allow farriers to use equip- ment such as drill presses and grinders more easily. They also maximize space for efficient storage. unhitched from the vehicle when a farrier’s not working.” 5 How For Do A I Rig? Pay Unless you’re starting your prac- tice with a lot of cash on hand, more than likely you’ll have to secure a Getting Started In Hoof Care 47 |
| Photo: Bay Horse Innovation A farrier trailer is easily hitched to a pickup and offers the freedom to use your truck for both business and personal purposes. loan or a lease. A new farrier will find that there are advantages and disad- vantages to both options. Loan. Often, your best option is attaining a loan from your local bank or credit union — but be prepared to do some work. While traditional lending institu- tions often offer loans with lower interest rates, they also have relatively little experience with farrier rigs. “They’re not familiar with them,” Halko explains. “They’ll lend $50,000 for a car, but they’re reluc- tant to lend $20,000 for a shoeing rig because they don’t know what it is. They would rather turn it down than approve it because they’re not sure how to handle it.” Purdy has found that banks are more likely to lend money for specific rigs than others. “Banks are less apt to finance a truck body because it’s a big ordeal to get the body off the truck if it’s repos- sessed,” he says. “It’s easier to finance a trailer. Generally, it’s really easy. We work with the banks all the time to make this as easy as possible.” Here are some recommendations to help smooth the path toward securing a loan: ♦ Schedule an appointment with a key leader of the lending institution. “Sometimes talking with a loan officer doesn’t work well,” he says. “But, if you can talk to the vice president or president of the bank, and explain your situation, then they see this as a work item. This is something that can make them some money.” ♦ Walk the bank officer through the manufacturer’s website, explain what a rig is and how it’s critical to your business. The full process of obtaining a loan often will take a couple of weeks. “Educate the banker, put as much money down as you can possibly afford, and if you do some home- work and work with the bank, you’ll usually get the loan,” Halko says. “If you walk into a bank cold, especially a small town bank, it can be a little difficult to borrow money.” Call or write for a FREE catalog! QUALITY TOOLS IS OUR GOAL! For All Brands Of Forges! Superior Performance! Ruidoso hoof gauge 4 Sizes! The Original Anvil Stump! Completely Adjustable Tripod Or Disc Base ® Cliff Carroll’s Horseshoers Supplies, Inc. • P.O. Box 277 • Larkspur, CO 80118 303/681-2643 FAX: 303/681-2343 E-mail: proforge@aol.com • Website: www.cliffcarroll.com 48 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| Do You Need A USDOT Number? Graphics that advertise your practice are a great way to project professionalism and attract new business. “I love the graphics,” says Neal Purdy, owner of Fin- ger Lakes Custom Manufacturing in Skaneateles, N.Y. “I think it’s very professional looking and I’d be proud to promote my business on the side of one.” Yet, there can be an unintended downside, he warns. When the combined weight of the truck and trailer exceeds a certain amount, Department of Trans- portation (DOT) numbers must be affixed on the truck. “The DOT is really cracking down on farriers for the amount of weight they’re hauling,” he says. “Everyone should be aware of truck and trailer weight combination.” If you still receive a cool reception, some manufacturers can recommend lending institutions that are familiar with the horseshoeing trade and more open to lending to farriers. Lease. Leasing a farrier rig prob- ably is the easiest and less time- consuming option. However, interest rates generally are higher than a tradi- tional bank loan. “You’re always going to pay higher interest rates with a leasing americanfarriers.com The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires a USDOT number when: It has a gross weight or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more. It’s involved in interstate commerce. Even if the federal government doesn’t require a USDOT number, your state might. Thirty-three states require commercial motor vehicle registrants to obtain a USDOT number. To determine whether your state requires a USDOT number, or to learn more about the federal require- ments, visit the FMCSA website at fmcsa.dot.gov/ registration/do-i-need-usdot-number. company,” Halko says. “That’s just the way it is.” While it might take some time to secure a traditional bank loan, attaining a lease can be relatively fast. “Usually you’ll have an answer within 36 hours from the leasing companies,” he says. “There’s instant gratification there.” Many young people venturing into farriery have yet to build a credit history. Leasing often provides an option that otherwise wouldn’t be available. “Sometimes,” Halko says, “leasing is the easiest way for people who don’t have credit to get a nice unit.” No matter which option you choose, you can recoup the amount you pay in interest when tax season rolls around. “The interest that one pays is deductible against your income,” he says, “but you have to show some income to deduct something.” Getting Started In Hoof Care 49 |
| Career Guide KNOW HOW The Pros And Cons Of Backyard Horses By Chris Gregory, CJF, FWCF W hen a farrier embarks on this remarkable career, it’s common that he or she will shoe backyard horses. In fact, according to the latest American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey, 92% of U.S. farriers work with backyard horses. Although some look upon backyard horses with disdain, this segment of the horse population may be the very best kind of horses to be shod. Most of these horses live on small acreages or backyards and are treated as a member of a family. They are used for pleasure and companionship, rather than work or show. Being this type of horse puts the animal in a category where its value may not be easily represented in dollars. As a family member, a backyard horse’s value is based on the family union instead of what it could bring in an auction. I find that at show horse barns, you can be viewed as a laborer, although a skilled one. With any type, style, discipline or population of horses, you can make a list of pros and cons concerning that part of the market. Writing these down will give you an idea if you want to shoe that type of horse. As I went through the process of making my list, I found that I shoe a fair number of backyard horses, and I really enjoy this portion of the market. I’ve worked on hundreds of backyard horses — many that I reminisce about with mainly good memories. 50 Getting Started In Hoof Care The Pluses Working relationships. One of the great things about working with backyard horses is the close relation- ship you can develop with owners. Often, you will get to know them on a personal level. You will be on a first- name basis, instead of being a glori- fied groomer or laborer. Customers find out about your life and you learn about theirs. Loyalty. When customers get to know you well, it can add to their loyalty. Backyard owners can become fiercely devoted to you as a shoer because you provide top-notch Owners of backyard horses can be fiercely loyal and become long-term clients. Backyard accounts help you avoid having all of your eggs in one basket. Backyard owners often have poor facilities and horsemanship skills that can be dangerous to you. service to their family member. They will defend you to other horse owners and farriers. Loyalty is a terrific trait because it often results in long-term customers. Companion animals are family members. Backyard horses often become family members. When a horse is a family member and not viewed as a business investment, that backyard horse will often be higher on the economic priority list than it may be for someone who owns a 92% of U.S. farriers work with backyard horses. — 2014 American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey American Farriers Journal |
| Cactus Creek Farrier Aprons At Cactus Creek every- thing is manufactured by Dallas and Elena in their on premises workshop in New River, Arizona. We use only American made/tanned leathers in the construction of our leather goods. Need something customized? We can tailor your apron to your needs. Proud to be American The Morris Apron Proud /AZ Flag Apron CC Standard Apron Backyard horse owners can be very engaged and appreciative of professional service because the animal is often considered a part of the family. horse that has a “job.” Diversify your accounts. Your practice could be devas- tated should you lose a barn where you have 40 or 50 horses. If you lose an account with two backyard horses, it is easier to manage and replace that lost income. In addition, having many customers means you have many opportunities to market products and other services, increasing your income potential. One of the reasons I got into this industry is the freedom it offers. If you have many horses at one barn, you can almost become an employee of that client rather than thinking of yourself as an independent contractor. You may have to tolerate some things that you wouldn’t if that client only had one horse. Your comfort. If a customer gets to know a great deal about you, they are more likely to provide special Backyard clients care about your needs … americanfarriers.com View All Our Aprons Online MADE IN AMERICA FROM AMERICAN LEATHER 480-220-8932 cactuscreekleather.com WE ALSO REPAIR APRONS. Getting Started In Hoof Care 51 |
| items for your comfort when you visit. Backyard clients care about your needs, such as thirst or hunger. It may not seem like much, but on those days when you are shoeing so much that you don’t have time to stop for lunch, a snack or cold drink is a lifesaver. Your visits are infrequent, so the customer is more likely to do things that you appreciate. Less stress. Even though the horse means a lot to a customer, if a set value had to be established, it is often much less than that for a show horse. This reduces the potential for costly litigation if something happens. Also, backyard horses do not often travel too far from home, making customer service easier to provide in both time and money. Networking. A larger pool of customers provides potential connec- tions. Since you will see more people, you have the opportunity to network in a lot of different areas of your community. You’ll find customers are involved While working on backyard horses, most likely you will not have suitable facilities with a hard-surface floor or protection from the elements. REVOLUTIONARY? IN OVER 2000 YEARS? COMING? SOON? GOLDENWINGSHORSESHOES.COM 52 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| in a lot of businesses beyond horses. Working with these clients allows you to have connections in many places. The Minuses Now, let’s have a look at the poten- tial cons. As with any pleasure, there has to be pain. Here is what I found to be the down side of working with backyard horses. Excessive driving. It is conve- nient when you have a big barn on your books. You can schedule several shoeings for one stop. But with backyard horses, you may have a lot of driving if you need to visit six or more clients in one day. Backyard horses can live all over the place, and you may find that you are working all over the place as well. Since you are only doing a few horses per stop, you have several stops to drive to each day. Socially uncomfortable. While it can be advantageous for backyard horse owners to know you socially, it can create some difficulties should you become friends. This can put you in a situation that is more social than professional. Remember, it’s hard to raise your prices on your friends. Our job as farriers isn’t to make the horse affordable for the client. Farriers do not force their customers to purchase a particular horse. If you keep your business separate from your personal life, you’ll be much happier. No champions. If your aspira- tions are to work with high-level champion horses, you likely won’t find any of these animals with backyard accounts. Since the back- yard horses are generally not show horses, they also aren’t high-level horses. If your shoeing books only feature backyards, you may not have the time or contacts that will help you eventually break into high-end markets. Professionals work at the cham- pion barns, so they have a groom who will fetch the horse or have it ready for you. With backyards, you may have to spend a fair amount of time catching the horse. Make sure you americanfarriers.com Backyard owners can become fiercely devoted to you … have the mentality to work with these horses. Poor facilities. Since most backyard areas are more suitable for barbecues than the practice of farriery, you may lack suitable shoeing facilities. Most barns have better shoeing facilities, from a hard- surface floor to having the horse stand ready to providing shelter from the elements. The lack of quality facilities can present not only uncomfortable, but dangerous situations for the shoer. Think about where to park and where to shoe — never forget your safety. The owner also may lack horse- manship skills, which could put you in a bad spot if they are holding the horse. Backyard horse owners are more likely to hire a farrier based on criteria other than shoeing skills. They hire because they like you as a person first and farrier second. This can make it possible for a person to have a great business, even if their technical skills are not the best. However, if you add top-notch skills to running a business that caters to backyard owners, you can generate a good livelihood. It is possible to have a long, satisfying and prosperous career shoeing this sector of the equine market. These horses have feet, their owners have money and they deserve and need competent farriery. You may find that you want to be the person to serve this important niche. Chris Gregory is the owner of Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo., and a member of the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame. Getting Started In Hoof Care 53 |
| Identifying The Equine Hot Spots By Red Renchin, Technical Editor E mbarking on a hoof-care career is no easy task. It takes several years to establish a successful farrier practice, so it is crucial to make an informed decision on where you will build that business. Often, aspiring farriers will elect to set up shop in the areas where they grew up. Hopefully, that area is pros- perous and populated with plenty of good horses. If not, moving to another area will be in the best interest of a footcare practice. Once you are established in a home and work life, it is difficult to move and start over in your practice. Just the expense of moving can be consider- able, plus the lost income during the time you are finding new clients. Networking with other farriers, establishing relationships with local veterinarians and finding a mentor in the new area can speed up this process of re-establishing your business. However, this process will require the same dedication and patience as it did when you launched your career. Things To Consider Everyone has priorities in life that are different from everyone else. Lifestyle may be more important to you than making as much money as possible. Consequently, what may be a good decision about a good location for one farrier may not be suitable for another. I moved early in my career from central Minnesota to southeast Wisconsin. Here are some things I took from that experience for you to consider: What part of the country do you want to live in? While your farrier 54 Getting Started In Hoof Care career is important, it will not take up your whole life. Most people want to live among people who are cultur- ally alike. If you grew up near the oil fields of Texas, you may not like living in eastern Massachusetts. Weather may seem like a fickle consideration, but it isn’t. Can you tolerate extreme heat or cold? Do you want to live in an urban, suburban or a rural setting? Yes, ZIP code matters. People have strong ideas about this for one to be happy. Most farriers I know live in the suburban to rural categories. However, a positive trade-off with heavily popu- lated urban settings is that there are more wealthy people with expensive show horses. Consequently, they are used to paying more for the cost of living, including the services of a Deciding where you will relocate should be based on the values that are important to you and your footcare practice. Re-establishing a practice in a new area can create a financial hardship for you. Specializing in various disciplines is becoming the norm in farriery. competent farrier. Every area has a loose set of going rates for shoeing. In big metropolitan settings, those rates are generally 40% to 60% higher than in the rural areas surrounding it. There are downsides to the urban setting, though. Your expenses will be higher in relation to the cost of living along with stressful time wasted in traffic, which eats into your time and income. How important is making a lot of money? If making as much money as possible shoeing horses is your main goal, I urge you to follow American Far West This represents the coastal areas, heading more than an hour’s drive inland. The farther east you go in these states, the more rural they be- come, and the fewer opportunities they offer compared with the coast and inland. Northern California (San Francisco Bay area), Portland, Ore., and Seattle are also hot spots with large horse populations and a more easy-going lifestyle. These areas are known for their concentrations of tech money. Southern California (Los Angeles and San Diego) is one of the most densely populat- ed parts of our country for both horses and people, making it a good place to work with horses. There are some rural stretches the farther you go inland. Every horse discipline is represented across the area. American Farriers Journal |
| bank robber Willie Sutton’s advice. When asked why he robbed banks, Sutton replied, “Because that’s where the money is.” The same is true for farriery. If you want to earn as much money as possible — you have to go where the money is. That’s how I determined this list of 20 hot spots. In affluent urban areas, there are more people with high incomes and, therefore, more disposable income. Horse sports are a very popular pastime for these people, particularly women. Having the best care for their horses is so important that they will happily pay premium prices for premium services. What kind of horses do you want to work on? Do you want to work on show horses with the pressure they can generate or backyard horses with much less stress? Finding backyard horses to shoe is very easy because they are dispersed across the entire country. If you want to exclusively shoe a particular discipline, you will americanfarriers.com West The West is heavily pop- ulated with horses, but they tend to be spread out. The consequence is that you will find it necessary to put more time on the road get- ting to clients. This adds to the expenses in terms of fuel, truck repair and nonproductive time. Western type horses prevail and there are a lot of part-time cowboy farriers. These farriers tend to work for cheaper rates than full-time farriers, which can depress prices for full-time farriers. Denver is the region’s largest city and the nucleus of competition horses in the region. find that they are grouped together in different areas of the country. The people you work for may also determine the discipline you choose. Every discipline has a profile or personality of its own. Some disci- plines, such as the racehorse industry, are populated by professionals who see the horses as a business and take that approach with their clients. Getting Started In Hoof Care 55 |
| Other disciplines are dominated by dedicated amateurs who can be very intense about competing. Everyone has preferences about the type of people they want to be around and this can be as big of a Southwest The Southwest is similar to the West primarily with Western horses that are widely spread out. Texas itself is almost like multiple regions due to the size of the state, but the horse is popular among people throughout it. Houston is similar to Dallas. It is the fourth largest city in the U.S., so the wide variety of the horse population is plentiful. The area around Dallas/Fort Worth is the center of horse activity and wealth in the region. While Western horses dominate this area, the influx of sport horses in recent years has changed the culture to include them. Central In the past 20 years, the number of heated barns and indoor arenas has increased dramatically in the Snowbelt. This has made year- round riding not only possible, but also compelling. For farriers, it has Minneapolis/St. Paul has emerged as one of the economic powerhouses of the country in the past 2 decades. Along with this wealth has come an increase in the number and quality of horses in the area. Sport horses dominate the higher end. meant that it is possible to have a steady income throughout the year with no seasonal downtime. You will see many horses go un- shod during winter if they aren’t in training. The Central region is Western- oriented, but includes more English disciplines than in the West. Despite Detroit’s economic collapse, there are still plenty of opportunities for farriers in southeast Michigan. factor as the type of horse. At any rate, it is good to get exposure to as many groups as possible to make an informed decision. Like it or not, we are in the age of professionals who specialize — including farriers. When embarking on your new career, I strongly advise spending time with farriers who have specialized in a particular discipline to find out if that is for you. Examples are racehorses, harness racers, sport horses, Western horses, endurance, draft, long- footed show horses, short-footed gaited horses and backyard horses. The types of horses you want to work on often will dictate where you should establish your business. There are pockets everywhere, but some examples of concentrated areas in the United States include: ♦ Western horses in the Far West, West and Southwest. Continued on Page 58 Northeast The area from Maryland north to Massachusetts along the Eastern seaboard is the most lu- crative place to shoe horses in the U.S. — and very consistent. Sport horses dominate with a mix of other English disciplines. Many farriers service multiple accounts in these states. This area is one of the wealthi- est in the country with a history of equestrian sports going back decades. It is also one of the most densely populated with the price of property very high. Eastern Massachusetts Eastern Pennsylvania Chicago has the largest concentration of horses in the Midwest. It also has the most varied population in terms of breeds and disciplines, from racehorses to Western to sport horses. The rate for trimming and shoeing is also the highest in the region. 56 Getting Started In Hoof Care Cleveland is another center of economic wealth, boasting a thriving horse com- munity with good opportunity for an aspiring farrier. Eastern Connecticut Eastern New York/ New Jersey Eastern Maryland American Farriers Journal |
| Southeast During the most recent recession, the equine indus- try was hit hard, like so many others. Competition for horses remains high, but there is still opportunity in these markets. In some ways, the horse industries are so criti- cal to the following areas that they weren’t hit as hard as the rural stretches within the region. Lexington may be the most well-known horse city in the coun- try. The Thoroughbred breeding operations alone can help make a career. Be prepared to put in time, as this is one of the more difficult areas in which to make a name. Atlanta is the heart of the South and is a hub of horse activity. All disciplines are in abundance and doing well. Wellington has tagged itself the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.” During the winter season over 10,000 polo, hunters/jumpers and dressage horses call Wellington home. It is unique in that a large number of farriers migrate with them for the season and then leave for the rest of the year. Prices for trimming and shoeing during the season are prob- ably the highest in the country, but it is extremely difficult to break into the circle without help. Wellington’s location provides other opportunities in densely populated Southeast Florida. Ocala may be the head-scratcher on my list. Not very many people through- out the U.S. have heard of it, like the others on my list. However, it is the Deep South equivalent of Lexington for being a nursery for the Thoroughbred industry. During the winter, it also hosts a large population of sport horses that go there to show. Continued from Page 56 ♦ Sport horses in the Northeast. ♦ Long-footed gaited horses in New England, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri. ♦ Thoroughbred racehorses in Kentucky, California, New York and Florida. ♦ Standardbred racehorses in Kentucky, Illinois and the Northeast. ♦ Draft horses in the Central and Northeast. 58 Getting Started In Hoof Care ♦ Polo in Florida, California and the Northeast. ♦ Breeding farms in Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and California. Not Living By Circumstances As we go through life, often there is little that we can do with the vaga- ries of fate, but you can’t worry about what may happen. Plan for what will happen. We still control the direction of our lives in spite of those events. Such is the opportunity you now have. Upon graduation from farrier school or completion of a mentoring program, aspiring farriers have the opportunity of guiding and shaping their careers to coincide with their goals. To be successful, you have to make many decisions, such as the location to build the farrier practice you want. You can float with the current and hope for the best, or you can grab an oar and row like hell. Good luck. American Farriers Journal |
| Protect Your Practice And Yourself With Liability Insurance By American Farriers Journal Staff A fter graduating from school or leaving an apprentice- ship to begin a farrier career, what questions will cross your mind? Where will you find clients? How much should you charge? What type of clients do you want to work for? Certainly, there are dozens of other questions that will receive much deliberation. However, questions about insur- ance likely aren’t high on that list of priorities. But think about the needs you have as a business owner. You need to protect your vehicle in case of an accident. You need health coverage should you need to visit a doctor. In case a horse injures you, some level of disability coverage is sound plan- ning. Among various types of insurance, liability coverage is often ignored. However, having this insurance is critical to your hoof-care practice. Common Misconceptions According to Lance Allen, a veteri- narian and director/executive under- writer with Markel Insurance, there are three likely reasons farriers typi- cally reject carrying a liability policy. “My homeowner’s insurance will cover me.” The assumption of blanket coverage isn’t just a farrier misconception, but is one held by most people across insurance types. This assumption is easily preventable by reading your insurance policies — not a task looked forward to by most. “When was the last time you read your auto policy?” Allen asks. It is crucial to thoroughly read all of your americanfarriers.com coverage and understand what it covers and limits. “I don’t have anything worth taking, so they won’t sue me.” This is the most common reason that Allen hears from new farriers. Just because you believe that you don’t have much to protect doesn’t mean someone won’t sue if they feel you were negli- gent in a case in which their horse was injured. Sure, you may not have the money now, but a decision against you can haunt you for years. “Judges have ways of cutting through that issue,” he says. “And juries don’t care what you have. “Particularly if you are starting out, you don’t want to owe some- body $5,000 when you can get basic protection for much less.” Furthermore, general equine liability laws likely won’t protect you. Equine liability laws may not protect you in case you are sued for negligence as a farrier. If you possess low-level income and wealth, you could still be sued. Work with an insurance agent who is familiar with the equine industry and the job of a farrier. “Equine liability laws will protect me from being sued.” Many young farriers might believe they don’t need it, particularly because the majority of states have equine liability laws that are designed to protect them from a lawsuit. However, no farrier should rely on those laws. “Nothing in those laws, in most states, is going to prevent a farrier from being sued if a horse is injured, or if a person or other property is damaged,” explains Allen. “Most of these laws have a giant loophole that leaves a farrier exposed to acts or omissions that could be considered negligent. An astute attorney is going to claim the farrier was negligent if What Percentage Of Farriers Carry Liability Insurance? 41 % of full-time farriers 22 % of part-time farriers — 2014 American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey Getting Started In Hoof Care 59 |
| someone is injured.” Under certain liability coverages, an insurance company will represent you and pay any damages up to the policy limits. “The cost of this coverage is nominal compared to the cost of 2 hours with an attorney,” Allen says. “By the time you’ve talked with an attorney for 2 hours, you’ve paid for your policy.” Don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because you’re working on backyard horses that you don’t need liability insurance. “You don’t want to think that just because you’re working on inexpen- sive horses, you don’t need protec- tion,” he says. “What if a 12-year-old girl is holding the horse and it takes off? She could have a million-dollar injury.” Understanding Coverage As a hoof-care professional you need to build insurance into your business plan and the cost of insur- Read The Fine Print Many farriers travel with their dogs and allow them to roam the barn while shoeing horses. How does this affect liability coverage? Generally with Markel’s liability policy, farriers can bring their dog in the rig and allow them to enter the barn while the farrier works. However, if that dog causes any incident resulting in a claim, the farrier’s liability coverage is voided for that case. “Every company and every policy might vary on some exclusions or conditions from one farrier to another,” explains Kathleen Melton, a farm and liability specialist with Markel. So maybe you don’t take a dog along. The lesson remains: read your entire policy. Melton says farriers should pay keen attention to the list of exclusions on the policy and not hesitate in contacting an insurance agent to ask questions about “hypothetical” situations and how a policy might or might not respond. ance into the prices you charge. The best way to get started is to sit down with a knowledgeable insurance agent and hash out what you need. If you have little or no experience with insurance, talk to family members, friends and other farriers you know about whom they work with. You’ll rely on the agent to think of the questions and scenarios you haven’t. One benefit of Markel is that its representatives know the horse business, and more importantly, what the farrier does to keep their horses sound. It is beneficial to find an insurer that understands the insurance needs of farriers. Furthermore if you or your spouse has an equine-related business beyond farriery, such as horse training, they can build a comprehensive policy for both businesses. Start your business on the right foot. Let us help. 67 Rollins Lane Louisa, VA 23093 434-589-4501 crossroadsfarriersupply.com 60 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| You should sit down every year with your agent and review your circumstances to ensure that you have adequate coverages. Broad areas and terms of interest include: ♦♦ General liability. Includes cost of legal defense and paying damages with no out-of-pocket expenses. ♦♦ On and off premises. Protection against claims due to bodily injury or property damage caused by a farrier’s activities, regardless of where it occurred. ♦♦ Completed operations. Coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by the work that the farrier has performed. For example, a shoe comes off, resulting in inju- ries to a horse or rider. ♦♦ Care, custody and control liability. Coverage for injury to a horse while it is in your care, Additional Points About Insurance `` Talk with an insurance agent about an overall business package. You may be able to get an “um- brella” policy that covers vehicle, liability and dis- ability for a lower price than you get by buying each individually. `` Many business insurance pre- miums are tax deductible. `` Professional organizations often offer insurance as a member benefit. Markel offers a discount in liability insurance to members of the American Farrier’s As- sociation and the American Association Of Professional Farriers, with additional discounts available to mem- bers who pursue continuing education or certification. `` Veteran farrier Brian Rob- ertson of Osseo, Mich., told an International Hoof-Care Summit audience, “You should know an insurance agent on a first-name basis. It doesn’t cost anything to talk to an insurance agent.” americanfarriers.com custody and control. ♦♦ Equipment and supplies floater. Provides coverage for loss or damage to transportable inventory such as tools and supplies. Most vehicle coverage doesn’t automati- cally include your rig’s contents of tools and inventory. Markel offers three basic levels of coverage. Each of these comes with varied levels of coverage and cost. Any of these policies is customizable based on an individual’s needs. Any increases in coverage will raise your annual cost. Each state has its own insurance laws, so these plans are subject by state. But by and large, basic coverage rules apply to each state. So if you travel as a farrier, your practice will have coverage throughout North America. STRONG HOOF-20 ™ This complete supplement contains the essential nutrients for strong hoof growth: Biotin, L-Lysine, DL-Methinonine, Zinc, Copper, Sulfur, Silica and a complete digestive aid package to maximize feed efficiency. These combinations of nutrients are in correct balance to increase strength and growth of the hoof. Also improves the quality of the coat. Use 1 ounce daily with feed. 5 lbs = 80-Day Supply of 20 mg’s of Biotin per day. Product made in U.S.A. J.M. Saddler Inc. • (800) 627-2807 • jmsaddler.com Getting Started In Hoof Care 61 |
| Keeping Fit By Stretching And Strengthening Key Muscles Flexibility is important for preventing injury while working under the horse and a regular stretching routine should be added to farriers’ daily schedules. By Jaime Elftman, Assistant Editor C rouching under a horse and banging on an anvil 8 hours a day, 5 or more days a week wears down the body over years of work. Farriers’ backs become stiff and sore, tennis elbow can develop and carpal tunnel can debilitate hands and wrists. In such a physical profes- sion, any injury can mean time away from work and money lost. These worries may seem like a long way off to farriers who are just starting out, but certain practices put into effect now can help prevent ache and injury later. Versailles, Ky., farrier Steve Stanley offers his advice for keeping fit in order to prevent injury. Exercising regularly and stretching before and after a long day of work are key, the industry veteran says. “You take care of your tools, your truck, your machines, but sometimes we neglect the most important tool we have — our body,” he says. “It’s a strenuous job that we do and we take our share of beatings. If you’re hurting enough, your income will be compromised.” want you to.” Stanley describes the case of an apprentice he had years ago who tried to muscle his way through the work. “Once I had a fella who was a power lifter ask me for advice,” he says. “He could lift a house. He got a call from a client who wanted him to trim some yearlings that were kind of rough and he asked if I thought he ought to do that. I told him to be very careful about that kind of situa- tion. And he said to me, ‘I can dead lift 600 pounds. I’ll just hold them still.’ He had a very brief horseshoeing career. “It doesn’t matter how strong you are if your muscles are tight and not flexible. When a horse snatches you sideways, those tight muscles can throw off the alignment of your spine and pelvis, leaving you in pain for days or even weeks. It’s critical to keep loosened up and supple.” Stanley provides a few key points about stretching that apply to all. “First and most obvious is to warm up the muscle and then stretch before getting under a horse,” he says. “Dr. Emily Gampper of Versailles, Ky., who has gotten me out of pain more than once, recommends holding a stretch for 30 seconds to allow the muscle time to relax and lengthen. This will also help you gain in range during the stretch. “Many people stretch for 5 seconds until it hurts and think, ‘That’s good.’ Dr. Gampper adds that breathing is equally important. Muscles release on Stretch before getting under a horse … Flexibility Is Key Many farriers are strong, Stanley says, but you don’t have to be big and powerful to be a horseshoer. What you do need to be is flexible. “I don’t care how strong you are,” he says. “You aren’t going to hang in there if the horse doesn’t 62 Getting Started In Hoof Care A strong core, including lower back, hips and abdomen, can help improve stability and balance. Speak with your doctor or physical therapist to develop an exercise routine that’s right for you. exhale so holding your breath while stretching inhibits the benefit. Taking three deep breaths in one 30-second stretch is very helpful. “She also says tight hamstrings are the single most common cause of lower back pain in her practice and adds that she rarely sees lower back pain with individuals having loose hamstrings. The last point is stay hydrated,” he says. Stanley recommends stretching the following muscles every day to stay loose and flexible: Adductor muscles. The adductor muscles are those in the inner thigh attaching to the bottom of the pelvis. Stanley says these muscles can be stretched by lowering into a squat position and then using your elbows to apply pressure to the legs. Hip flexor. The hip flexor is the muscle found where the thigh meets the pelvis and can be stretched by lowering into a lunge position and driving the pelvis down toward the heel. Stanley notes that the hip flexor muscles are attached to the spine and if these muscles are weak and inflex- ible, back problems are more likely to occur. Hamstrings. The hamstring muscles are those found at the back of American Farriers Journal |
| the thigh. To stretch the hamstrings, Stanley recommends bending at the waist and trying to touch the floor, or at least reaching as far down as you can to your knees or ankles. “It is not about trying to touch your head to your shins,” Stanley says. “The key is to bend at the waist while keeping the curve out of your back and neck while keeping your knees straight. Dr. Gampper says if the knees buckle, you have reached your point of flexibility and are not doing as much good. “When I feel my lower back becoming too tight, I can often get relief simply by stretching the hamstrings,” Stanley says. “Not stretching them in that situation is taking a big risk, especially when working on young horses that are not always predictable.” Quadriceps. The quadriceps are the muscles at the front of your thighs, and while Stanley says they don’t get as tight as some other muscles for farriers, it is still impor- “Shoeing horses is athletic,” he says. “It’s not as dynamic as what people see in the sports you watch on TV, but you still need to keep good muscle tone from the waist down. And you need to keep those muscles flexible.” To stretch the gluteus muscles, lay on your back with your knees bent. Then cross one foot over the opposite knee and pull that knee toward your head. Iliotibial band. The iliotibial band, or IT band, runs from your gluteus to your knee on the outside of your thigh and can become irritated and inflamed after exertion. “If I have a very busy day, when I’m driving home, the outside of my knee will begin to hurt,” Stanley says. To prevent this and stretch this area, he recommends rolling a foam roller up and down the outside part of the upper leg. Another way to stretch this area is to sit on the ground with your legs stretched out in front of you. Then take one leg and cross it Stretching and strengthening the muscles of the lower body, like the hamstrings (left) and gluteus (right), is especially important for farriers and can help increase the efficiency and longevity of your career. tant to stretch them. To stretch the quadriceps, stand on one foot and pull the other foot toward your butt. Stanley says this move also can help improve your balance. Gluteus. The gluteus muscles are those in your rear end and Stanley says they are the engine for all athletic movement. A CINCH To Fix Founder Slip Into Something More Comfortable The Hoof Cinch was designed to relieve the pain of laminitis by applying pressure to the front of the hoof wall where the laminae have failed. The constant pressure forces the hoof wall to grow back closer to the coffin bone, allowing them to realign. The Hoof Cinch typically takes 12 -16 weeks and can be used on both acute and chronic cases of founder. There is no special trimming or shoeing required, but we suggest elevating the heels, trim the hoof for level and balance and apply the Hoof Cinch. Within hours you will see a more comfortable horse. Choose the MYRON McLANE For more information or to order, visit our website or give us a call today! ORIGINAL APRON “Often copied, but never duplicated.” O 0 N pe L r Y set • American made • 2 knife pockets $6 • Available in 3 sizes & a variety of colors plus S & H • Now Available! Padded Aprons in all models & all styles See our full line of aprons at myronmclaneaprons.com Myron McLane Aprons 49 Winter St. • Somerset, MA 02726 Visit us on Facebook at Myron McLane Aprons americanfarriers.com Email us at mmclane@ myexcel.com or call at 508-678-0117 or 508-965-3837 www.hoofcinch.com 1-855-44CINCH Getting Started In Hoof Care 63 |
| in front of you so your knee is chest level. Use your opposite side’s elbow to exert pressure on the knee, pushing it farther toward your chest. Core And Cardio We Are A Full Line Farrier Store Carrying all major brands including St. Croix, Delta, Kerkhaert, G.E. Tools, Flatland Forge, Jim Keith, Horse Head and Many More. Maintaining a strong and flexible core is central to staying physically fit for farriers. “If you can strengthen and tone your lower back, hips and abdomen, you’re going to be safer under the horse,” Stanley says. A strong core also means improved balance and stability. “Any exercise that strengthens your core muscles is going to help you do your job as a horseshoer,” Stanley says. He warns against only doing one exercise, however. “A good core routine made up of multiple exercises can be finished in 15-20 minutes,” he says. “Doing 1,000 sit-ups only works one muscle group, takes longer and has limited benefit compared to a good core routine.” Stanley recommends yoga as an exercise routine that can help muscle tone in the lower back, hips and abdomen, among other areas, while improving balance, but also says your exercise routine doesn’t need to be that specific. Doing anything to be active for 30 minutes a day will help keep your muscles strong and flexible. “Walking, running, swimming or biking for 30 minutes a day will help,” he says. “Or you could use the Wii Fit or exercise DVDs. The key is to make exercise and stretching part of your daily routine.” Stanley won’t suggest a specific exercise routine for anyone. “It’s different for every person,” he says. “Talk to a doctor, a physical therapist or anyone at a gym with a degree in exercise physiology who knows what they’re talking about to start a routine that suits you.” However you get your exercise, Stanley says, “Make it fun and do it with people you like. Make it some- thing you look forward to in your day. One of the most fun things I do is workout with my kids, though my 15-year-old soccer player is begin- ning to make his old man suffer. “The benefits of exercising are you will have less pain at the end of the day and you will live longer, and I think both of those benefits alone are pretty high on everyone’s priority list. “You also will extend your career,” he says. “With exercise, you could work 5 or 10 years longer. More time working means more money. Over 10 years, you could make half a million dollars more in your career even by very conservative estimates, while still allowing you to slow down as you get older. Would you stay in shape for half a million dollars? You’ll do better work because you’re more stable under the horse and, in the end, more money because of effi- ciency and longevity. “Our body, much like the tools of this trade, follows the same rule of ‘pay me now or pay me later,’ and like anything else in the world, those late fees are much higher.” Our full-line farrier supply catalog is online at www.alvinfarriersupply.com 1-800-936-3636 alvinfarriersupply@yahoo.com UPS Daily ALVIN FARRIER SUPPLY 2498 C.R. 145 • Alvin, Texas 77511 Phone: (281) 331-3636 • Fax: (281) 585-4260 ALVIN FARRIER SUPPLY NORTH 16915 FM 2920 • Unit B • Tomball • TX 77377 Phone: (281) 290-9550 64 Getting Started In Hoof Care American Farriers Journal |
| Career Guide KNOW HOW Keep Your Practice Running Smoothly By Planning Time Off Have a plan in place for your absence to save you from losing income and clients. By Amy Johnson, Assistant Editor W hether you’re injured on the job, planning a vacation or recovering from surgery, there will come a time when you need to be away from your practice for an extended period. Having a plan in place for such an absence will save you the headache of finding coverage for your horses, loss of income and potentially losing clients. Develop A Plan In 2010, Point Pleasant, N.J., farrier Mike Heinrich and his wife Taryn came up with a detailed system about 6 months before Mike’s sched- uled bilateral knee replacement. The couple created a spreadsheet (see example on Page 66) that included vital information about the horses on Mike’s books. “The spreadsheet was made with the ‘replacement farrier’ in mind,” Taryn says. “We gave copies to the farriers who would be working on Mike’s horses. We wanted them to know a little about the horses — what shoes they wore, any physical or behavioral issues, client information, when the horses were last done and when they were due, etc.” Using area farriers, the couple coordinated which farrier would do which horses ahead of time, based on the farrier’s knowledge (for specialty or therapeutic cases), the amount of horses each guy could take on and the location the farriers generally worked. If Mike had a horse that wore shoes not normally stocked by the replace- ment farrier, he provided them or left americanfarriers.com them with clients. “We set up this whole spreadsheet in a weekend. Once we figured out what to include, we just went through the last 8 weeks of Mike’s appoint- ment book and input the information for each horse,” says Taryn. Keep Clients In The Loop Mike’s clients were informed about his upcoming absence several months ahead of time. They were told why Mike would be out of work and who would be taking his place with their horses. Let clients know ahead of time why you will be out of work and who will be taking care of their horses. A spreadsheet that includes information about all the horses on your books is helpful should you need another farrier to temporarily take over. “Initially some clients were leery, but by informing them early, they had the opportunity and time to ask questions. We provided each one with a letter detailing who would be working on their horses and that farri- Can Your Business Sustain A Long-Term Absence? If you’re hurt by a horse, in an accident or diagnosed with a serious ill- ness, what will happen to your business? Being prepared can mean the difference between keeping your business afloat and retaining clients or losing everything and having to start over. While Mike Heinrich’s absence was planned, many are not. Heinrich’s spreadsheet — or something like it — can come in handy in such cases. When a farrier becomes ill or injured, other shoers often come to- gether and look for ways to help their colleague. Many times they will take over the care of your horses until you’re back on your feet. Having information on all of your clients and their horses in one place can save a lot of time and stress if other farriers need to step in and help. Farrier Associations Associations such as the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF), the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) and your local farrier association can provide guidance to you or your family should you be unable to work. In fact, the AAPF has its own Farrier Assistance Committee whose mission is to implement a program to provide assistance to ill or injured members. Associations are also great resources for putting you in contact with other farriers in your area. Having a core group of farrier colleagues that you know you can call on if needed is invaluable and could one day help save your business. For more information on the AAPF, visit professionalfarriers.com. For information on the AFA, visit americanfarriers.org. Getting Started In Hoof Care 65 |
| Farrier Horse What gets done? Hot Shod? Beau Trim – Old Horse, crippled MF Ri 4 shoes – size 4 SX-8 clipped Burn MF Liam 4 shoes – size 3 Classic Rollers w/ frog pads & impression material Kevin M. April Kevin M. MF er’s contact information,” she says. “About 95% of clients were OK with everything and had no issues what- soever. They really liked that their replacement farrier knew a little about their horses and didn’t have to be told things like, ‘my guy with the bad hocks needs his hind feet held low.’” 11/28 1/10 Rosemary 11/28 1/10 No Burn Rosemary 11/28 1/10 2 shoes – size 00, SX-8, no clips. Laminitis – Drop heels, short toe. Burn Cindy Nero 2 shoes – size 0, SX-8, no clips (6 weeks) Burn Cindy Lacey Trim – Needs Sat. appt. Bad knees, crippled. Gibson 4 shoes: Front Size 1 classic rollers. Bad Knees. R/F = set back, w/ wedge, frog pad + Equipak. HINDS: Size 1 SX-8 clipped (5 weeks) 66 Getting Started In Hoof Care Exit 11 off Rt. 195 11/6 11/27 1/8 Baird Rd., Millstone (Ginolfi’s place) 11/27 1/8 Beth Baird Rd., Millstone (Ginolfi’s place) 11/12 12/17 & 1/21 Daisy Trim (every 4wks) Laminitis, drop heels. Rock toe, dress dorsal wall back. Needs Mon. appt. Joy Burlington Farm 11/8 12/6 & 1/3 Ellie – MEDS? Trim (fronts only). 8 weeks. Needs meds if you trim hinds. Mare is very untrusting. Needs Mon. appt. Joy Burlington Farm 11/22 1/3 Chad Daltry 4 shoes – Size 1 SX-8 clipped. Sno pads front, studs all 4. No Weds. appt. Poppe 10/26 12/7 & 1/19 Chad Firefly Trim Poppe 10/26 12/7 & 1/19 Chad Taz 2 shoes – size 0 classic rollers. Sno pads and studs. Shoes Provided No Burn Poppe 10/26 12/7 & 1/19 Chad Charles 4 shoes - size 2 classic rollers front; size 2 SX-8 hind. Big horse,quiet, but bad knees. Shoes Provided Burn Poppe 10/26 12/7 & 1/19 J. Hulak Henri 4 shoes – Fronts Werkman size 6. Hinds size 4 SX-8 No Burn Margo 11/24 1/5 Kevin D. Kevin D. Maintain The System Since the system worked so well, Taryn has kept the spreadsheet up to date. She’s added new horses, taken some off and updated physical or behavioral issues. “That maintenance work takes very little time. I generally review it once a month for about 10 minutes,” she says. “The only things I would need to update, if Mike needed time off again, are the dates the horses were last done and when they are due to be seen again, which is just transferring the information from his appointment book.” Exit 11 off Rt. 195 Last Due Done Linda MF New Jersey farrier Mike Heinrich and his wife Taryn developed a spreadsheet to help keep his practice running smoothly during a long-term absence. Location Rosemary MF Owner Burm Burn Lucky Star American Farriers Journal |
| Advice From Rising Shoeing Star Winners By Amy Johnson, Assistant Editor T he transition from a horse- shoeing school student to a full- time farrier can be rough, even for those who graduate at the top of their class. New graduates and those just starting their farrier business understand the challenges you’ll face, regardless of education and skill. In 2008, American Farriers Journal established the Rising Shoeing Star award program. This program honors farriers for making outstanding career progress in their first 3 years out of horseshoeing school. Along with farrier industry suppliers, this program promotes the importance of education and encour- ages new farriers to succeed. These former Rising Shoeing Star winners were once in your shoes and quickly realized they’d soon be out on their own. Here they share some advice based on their own experi- ences starting out in hoof care. Q: What were the major obstacles you faced in getting started? A: Establishing a balance between family and work was tough. It meant determining what I needed to earn to reach my desired standard of living. — Mike Caldwell, Paso Robles, Calif., 2009 Rising Shoeing Star A: My gender and age were obstacles. Some farriers and horse owners heard “19 and female” and didn’t want to give me a chance, even though I grad- uated at the top of my class. americanfarriers.com It was also challenging to find the right apprenticeship. I knew that I wanted to continue my studies under someone who was accomplished and knowledgeable. To overcome these challenges, I vowed to not give up until I landed the apprenticeship I wanted. I clearly defined my ultimate goal and what I was looking for in an apprentice- ship. Then, I sought out farriers who I respected. I used the contacts from my school and other students who already landed their apprenticeships. I ended up finding my apprenticeship at Forging Ahead through a web listing. New farrier graduates who are looking for apprenticeships need to remember that shoeing styles vary regionally, so when you apprentice in an area you’re going to learn that style. Do your best to find a farrier practice that specializes in the kind of shoeing you hope to do when you’re on your own. — Gwen Nardi, The Plains, Va., 2012 Rising Shoeing Star A: My timing for graduation was certainly an obstacle. Graduating at the end of November in Illinois made kick-starting a farrier service chal- lenging to say the least. Start-up expenses were also chal- lenging. I wanted to be prepared for Find the best farrier in your area for an apprenticeship and beg and plead to work with them. It takes time and a lot of research to understand the market in the area where you want to work. Establishing a reputation for doing quality work is more important than going fast and possibly making mistakes. almost anything, and doing that meant investing a fair amount of money up front, hoping that it would all be needed. I wanted to be prepared, but did not have money to waste. Another hurdle was setting a competitive price that didn’t undercut other farriers in the area, but also recognizing that I did not have the experience that most of them did. — Steve Hedges, Divernon, Ill., 2011 Rising Shoeing Star A: Scheduling was one of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome when first starting out. I cover a large area and being able to service my entire client base can be difficult. I alternate areas every other day to be able to take care of everything in a timely manner. — Cassidy Robyn, Hollister, Calif., 2015 Rising Shoeing Star Q: How did you spend the first 6 months after graduation? A: I worked with three different farriers, as well as independently. I attended To nominate a farrier who graduated from a footcare school in 2013, please send a two- or three-page letter explaining why he or she is a candidate for the 2017 Rising Shoeing Star Award. The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2016. Mail your nomination to American Farriers Journal, P.O. Box 624, Brookfield, WI, 53008-0624 or email it to lessitef@lesspub.com Getting Started In Hoof Care 67 |
| every clinic and competition I could to get as much education as possible. — Robert Whitt, Phelan, Calif., 2009 Rising Shoeing Star A: I started building a solid client base and made horseshoeing a full-time job. I also began working closely with area veterinarians on therapeutic cases. — Jake Giguere, Smithers, B.C., 2013 Rising Shoeing Star A: I apprenticed a couple days a week with a farrier for 2 years before going to shoeing school, and for another year after graduation. I did this while working a full-time job. — Mike Caldwell, Paso Robles, Calif., 2009 Rising Shoeing Star Q: Looking back, what were the biggest mistakes you made? A: My biggest mistake was working part-time as an apprentice instead of tackling a full-time apprenticeship. I NU-FOOT ® Granular Supplement Available in Original and Vet Formula (In 5 & 25 lb.) Better Overall Health Freshness Sealed & Verified Optimum Nutrition For The Hoof ± Pellets (In 11 lb.) Easy To Feed, Improved ± Flavor, Highly Palatable FUNGIDYE ® 8 oz. 4 oz. SAFE to use. Rated #1 anti-fungal product against white line disease and other hoof infections. Stops the growth of the fungi. Gives dormant organisms an opportunity to grow healthy. Patented. Satisfaction guaranteed. 2 oz. Complete a survey on our web site for a FREE CONSULTATION. www.farrierscience.com Read about us on Hoofdisease.com, fill in survey. Free sample. FARRIER SCIENCE CLINIC 2996 Millville-Shandon Road • Hamilton, Ohio 45013 Phone: (513) 738-0010 • Fax: (513) 738-2996 Email: farrier_science_clinic@fuse.net 68 Getting Started In Hoof Care needed to support a family and was not making many dollars as an apprentice, but I let that control my learning. If I had it to do over, I wouldn’t have taken on new clients as quickly and scheduled my own work only after finishing a day of apprenticing. Sometimes, I would pass up a full day of valuable learning with another farrier while trying to figure it out on my own. I was hurting for money, so I’d take on work above my ability. While I learned a lot from each situation, I’m not sure I always made the best choices for the horses. Find the best farrier in your area for an apprenticeship and beg and plead to work with them. Show them how much you want this and dedicate yourself to learning what they have to offer. Working with just anyone isn’t always best. You may get under a lot of horses, but you may not always be learning. — Robert Whitt, Phelan, Calif., 2009 Rising Shoeing Star A: The biggest mistake that I made early on was taking my work home with me. I take a lot of pride in the work I do, so when something goes wrong, I take it personally. If a shoe came off, I felt it was my fault. If a horse went lame after I had been there, I thought it was my fault. Those things killed me, and I could not shake them. I took it home and let it eat me up. What I discovered since is that there is usually something else involved that I was not told about. I do the best I can at every stop and know that if some- thing is wrong after I have been there, I need to ask a lot of questions. Then, I can fix any mistake I make or discover what the true issue is. Early on, I took every horse that came my way. I needed to if I was going to pay the bills and feed my family. The mistake I made was not learning to say “no.” Eventually I had a full schedule, but still kept saying “yes” to new customers. I was working so much that I barely took time to eat. I had dropped 20 pounds in 3 months and became anemic. Learn to recognize when to say “no.” Ask questions before you say “yes.” If you take on a new customer, consider dropping a lesser-quality one to keep balance in your life. — Steve Hedges, Divernon, Ill., 2011 Rising Shoeing Star A: One of the mistakes I made was not developing a business plan earlier in my apprenticeship. It takes time and a lot of research to understand the market in the area where you want to work. It’s also a good idea to set some money aside, even if it’s just a little, so you can gradually start purchasing your basic tools. This way it’s possible to acquire high-quality equipment that will last a long time. — Diego Almeida, Divernon, Ill., 2014 Rising Shoeing Star Q: What were the smartest moves you made in getting started? A: The smartest moves I made were attending as many clinics as I could, getting hooked up with a good farrier in the area who has solid basics (he will more than likely be the most expensive guy in your area) and staying committed to the trade. Keep learning, stay hooked on the forging aspect of the trade and chal- lenge yourself to get the highest certi- fication title you can. — Joe Nygren, Seymour, Wis., 2011 Rising Shoeing Star The smartest move I made was getting an apprenticeship — no doubt about it! Students always have the choice to start their own business or find somebody to be their mentor. It’s very hard in the beginning because there’s not a lot of money to be made as an apprentice, but this period should be viewed as an investment in your future. However, it’s very important to make sure the farrier you choose as your mentor is really willing to teach you the trade and not just have you work as their helper. Sweeping, pulling shoes and clinching nails are all part of the job, but if there’s no teaching or sharing of information it becomes pointless. I was very fortunate to be part of American Farriers Journal |
| a multi-farrier practice that promotes learning. A good mentor understands that the better their apprentices get, the better he or she gets and the more the business grows as the apprentices become assets for the company. — Diego Almeida, Divernon, Ill., 2014 Rising Shoeing Star Q: What other sugges- tions do you have for graduates? A: Establishing a reputation for doing quality work is more important than going fast and possibly making mistakes. You may get razzed for being slow, but you shouldn’t lose any customers because of taking your time and doing the best job possible. Be more concerned with the quality of your work than the quantity. Learn all you can about horses, be seen at local horse shows and talk with horse people. This is very important as you learn about new disciplines and different trimming and americanfarriers.com shoeing needs. I grew up on a 2,000- acre crop operation and had a back- ground with horses, but someone who hasn’t been around horses will have to work much harder at developing the necessary horsemanship skills. A thorough knowledge of horses is essential for success as a farrier. Your clients expect you to know much more about horses than just feet. — Keith Green, Wakeman, Ohio, 2009 Rising Shoeing Star A: Find humility and maintain it. Credentials and success both come with pride, but the challenge is staying humble. — Sam Zalesky, Lexington, Ky., 2015 Rising Shoeing Star A: Aim high, maintain your integrity, work hard and never give up. I don’t think anyone should graduate farrier school and start their own practice right off the bat. There is just too much to know. Farrier schools are fantastic, but they only give you the basics. Find an apprenticeship and be open-minded. Realize there is so much to learn and use every second to build your experience. — Gwen Nardi, The Plains, Va., 2012 Rising Shoeing Star A: Never talk bad about other farriers in front of clients! I can’t stress that enough. It’s important to be polite and willing to learn. Continue your educa- tion and have fun with what you do. — Martin Zimmer, Vass, N.C., 2011 Rising Shoeing Star A: Don’t walk away from a job that you’re not happy with. Keep an open mind and don’t stop learning. Look after yourself by keeping in shape and eating properly. Have mentors to look up to. Pay attention to the horses you work on and do your best every time. — Jake Giguere, Smithers, B.C., 2013 Rising Shoeing Star Getting Started In Hoof Care 69 |
| Ad Index 3M......................................................52 Equilox Int’l Farrier Supplies...............2 Nature Farms....................................72 Alvin Farrier Supply...........................64 Equine Aqua TRAK LLC....................28 NC Tool Co........................................35 American Farriers Journal........................39, 70 Equine Digit Support System.............................60 Nordic Forge.....................................38 Anatomy Of The Equine LLC...........53 Farrier Product Distribution..............41 Backroads Data...............................32 Farrier Science Clinic.......................68 Postyme Inc......................................13 BillThis.................................................33 Farrier Supply House.........................16 Purcell Farrier Supply/ Jim Keith Tools...............................69 Blacksmith Buddy.............................36 G.E. Forge & Tool..............................71 R.J. Matthews Co...............................5 Buddy Aprons...................................16 Goldenwings Horseshoes................52 Razerhorse........................................23 Cactus Creek Leather.....................51 Grand Circuit....................................32 Rebound Hoof Pack........................24 Castle Plastics...................................27 Hoof & Nail Farrier Supplies.............64 Save Edge.........................................15 Ceva Animal Health........................11 Hoof Cinch........................................63 Cliff Carroll’s Horseshoers Supplies....................48 Hoofjack By Equine Innovations.......................20 Shanghai March Import & Export.............................58 Crossroads Farrier Supply................60 Horse Science...................................28 Sound Horse Technologies..............47 D.L. Schwartz Co..............................46 J.M. Saddler Inc................................61 Thoro’Bred.........................................49 Daisy Haven Farm Inc......................19 Jim Blurton Farrier Tools....................21 Vettec................................................17 Dechra Veterinary Products............29 Jim Lowe...........................................46 VICTORY............................................55 Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center..........................43 Ken Davis & Sons Inc........................25 Kentucky Derby Museum................42 EEDS...................................................31 Life Data Labs...................................57 World Championship Blacksmiths LLC.............................45 Electric Hoof Knife............................36 Montague Blacksmith Supply.........10 Yoder Blacksmith Supply.................48 EponaShoe.......................................38 Myron McLane Aprons....................63 Zoetis................................................7, 9 AMERICAN FARRIERS JOURNAL NAL TM Oleo Acres........................................15 The Shoein’ Shop..............................14 Wellshod.com...................................37 iAhora D En Es isponible pañol ! NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE TOO! A Ca re er G T he N ew Fa ui de Fo r rr ie r If you would like to share this special issue with another farrier, you can see the complete magazine online. This edition of Getting Started In Hoof Care can be viewed on your home computer, tablet or smartphone. Best of all, it is free for anyone, anytime and any place in the world. Also available in Spanish! The digital edition is available at www.newfarrier.com 70 Getting Started In Hoof Care americanfarr iers.com Se ve nt h Ed it io n American Farriers Journal |
