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Home / Publications / Getting Started in Hoof Care

Getting Started in Hoof Care

2009 Career Guide

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First Edition (2009)

A Career Guide For The New Farrier
This special publication is published once per year by American Farriers Journal. The career guide delivers advice from farriers on how to establish and operate a successful equine footcare practice.
  • Table of Contents

    Table of Contents

    Not Ready To Start Out On Your Own? Find An Apprenticeship

    Ask trainers, horse owners, veterinarians and others about quality farriers in the area.
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on August 1, 2009
    Most farriers will agree that newbies can improve their abilities and knowledge right after hoof-care school by riding with a mentor. Although needs like having to support your family or a late start in the career can force you to go it alone, serving as an apprentice can develop your ability and give you invaluable connections in the equine community.
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    Developing and Maintaining Your Hoof-Care Business Plan

    Recognize your worth and know how to set your prices.
    By Bob Smith posted on August 1, 2009
    I believe that the difference between successful and unsuccessful people is that successful people work on a vision of their lives every day. Successful people create their lives actively, while unsuccessful people passively wait to see where their lives take them.
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    Graduation Doesn’t Mean Your Hoof-Care Learning is Over

    Seek out experts who will share their knowledge.
    By Chris Gregory posted on August 1, 2009 | Posted in Education
    There are few occupations that I know of which give a practitioner the same feeling of accomplishment that teaching farriery does. Granted, the only things I have done since high school have been shoeing horses, some time in the Army and teaching farriery since 1992. So you have to understand that I have a somewhat biased view on this subject.
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    Building Healthy Relationships With Clients and Equine Professionals

    Trainers see your clients’ horses every day — tap into that expertise.
    August 1, 2009 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients
    Farriers have a tendency to live and work in a cave. The "going-it-alone" mentality may cause you to forget the clients, other farriers, veterinarians and trainers that make up your business or help it run smoothly. Not only should you make it a point to strengthen these critical relationships, you should make it a top priority.
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    What To Do, What To Avoid When Getting Started

    Clients will expect you to know much more about horses than just the feet.
    By Frank Lessiter posted on August 1, 2009 | Posted in Business Practices
    Starting any career is no easy task and that's certainly the case for new horseshoeing school graduates. After a few weeks or months of schooling on the equine foot, you'll quickly realize that you don't have all the answers or the confidence needed to succeed.
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    Get the Tools and Supplies You Need

    You get what you pay for with high-quality tools, but you can find good tools at lower prices.
    By Danny Ward posted on August 1, 2009
    If you've just finished hoof-care school, no one needs to tell you about the financial commitment you've made to your education. You paid for your school, housing, food and more. Unless you have an apprenticeship lined-up or know several people who need farriers, it's going to take a while to develop a business and steady income.
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    Navigating From A To B In Your Shoeing Rig

    Make sure you can afford everything that goes along with your shoeing rig.
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on August 1, 2009
    Unless you will begin your shoeing career by riding with an established farrier as an apprentice or already have an appropriate vehicle, you'll need a shoeing rig to get from one  location to another. Buying a rig for your business will be the most expensive single cost you'll incur when heading out on your own.
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    Bookkeeping And Maintaining Solid Business Records

    Dedicate yourself to a system that fits your business style.
    By Red Renchin posted on August 1, 2009
    It's been said that horseshoeing is a necessary evil, but the same can be said about farrier accounting. The thought of sitting down to do my bookwork is about as appealing to me as working on an old broodmare in a muddy lot. If you find it an equally distasteful subject, it is essential to make keeping your books as easy and efficient as possible.
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    Putting Your Money to Work: Saving the Smart Way

    Develop a plan to keep from living paycheck-to-paycheck.
    By Esco Buff posted on August 1, 2009
    Many farriers' idea of "saving" money is to hoard just enough to buy the new forge that they can't live without. If they would only properly invest a few dollars a month, this type of paycheck-to-paycheck living would be a thing of the past. How do you properly invest money? Here are a few smart ways to invest.
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    10 Tips for Recession-Proofing Your Business

    August 1, 2009 | Posted in Business Practices
    Even when times are good, you need to be getting ready for when they are not. Prepare for an economic downturn by implementing good business practices to help ensure your farrier business's survival. Here are few of the most important ideas to help recession-proof your shoeing practice.
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    Digital Edition

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