Before I wrote this article, I thought it would be a quick write up with pictures of poorly fitted shoes and correctly fitted shoes. As I began typing, I quickly realized how many factors are essential for a properly fitted shoe and how many "red flags" about improper fit can pop up.
I'm sure you have clients who raise your blood pressure as soon as you see their name on your schedule. After years of hard work building a solid business, getting rid of clients seems to fly in the face of your desire to increase your client base and income. But firing clients may just be what your business and your mental health need.
Horse owners have all types of backgrounds and motivations for owning horses. Some have vast experience while others have next to none. While working with this variety of clients, farriers must know how to handle and advise each one individually. Educated owners will be able to recognize subtle signs of discomfort. However, today there are many clients who lack that familiarity and knowledge.
As farriers, we are self-employed in a service industry. I'm sure after establishing your practice, you realized there are many things that the self-employed have to resolve.
As wear and tear takes its toll on our tools, a farrier's instinct is to tweak, maintain or fix it. There are times, though, when we should resist our natural tendency to repair it.
The trim is the foundation to what every farrier wants to accomplish with a sound horse — keep the horse that way. Get the trim wrong, and everything else done afterward in the shoeing process becomes compromised.
In this episode, Mark Ellis, a Wisconsin farrier who learned the ropes with Renchin, recalls Red’s relationships with area veterinarians, his legacy and the second career as American Farriers Journal’s technical editor.
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.