Count Your Blessings
After reading the May/June 2017 “Frankly Speaking” column (“Rather Than Just Talking About It …”) and the article “Treatment for Dealing with Penetrating Injuries,” I suggest that having full-time farriers at seven veterinarian schools is better than none.
They’re everywhere. Every time you turn around, someone’s nose is in a smartphone. In fact, you probably have a holder or two who do little but text, check social media or surf the Internet the entire time you’re under the horse.
Smartphones have become necessary tools for farriers. As shown in the 2014 Farrier Business Practices Survey, 63% of farriers use a smartphone as their preferred business management tool.
A farrier practice is a business - there is no surprise about that. As professionals, practitioners have a responsibility to maintain accurate records to ensure proper scheduling, billing, payment and taxes. 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.
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.
When laminitis is a major concern and a damaged hoof wall is restricting blood flow to the laminae and resulting in further inflammation, Amy Rucker says it may be time for a hoof resection.
For better or worse, technology has infiltrated every aspect of life. Thanks to this ever-updating change, farriers can stay in touch with clients, maintain records and collect information quicker than ever. The purpose of this column will be to show farriers unfamiliar with computers that there are advantages to incorporating them into your business.
Greg Martin, CJF, of Boerne, Texas, takes the unique approach of marketing his hoof-care practice with a Christmas parade float in Boerne and Comfort, Texas. The award-winning float boasts a variety of surprising features.
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.