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.
Some farriers you know will fail in the industry and it won’t have anything to do with the horses’s foot. Despite being good farriers, they won’t make it in the industry because they ignore the business of hoof care.
The art and craft of horseshoeing used to be passed on from master to apprentice, but today there are schools, books, DVDs and other opportunities and tools available for learning. However, apprenticeships still provide the best way to learn the trade.
Clients won't find you unless you take an active role in attracting them. There are ways you can grow your business and acquire customers in an ethical manner. Here are 10 that will help you establish your practice.
What does it cost you to shoe a horse? The obvious answer includes the price of shoes and nails. Maybe some additional supplies are required, like adhesives or hoof pads. The truth is, many farriers fail to reflect on how the prices that they charge are actually determined.
The start of a new career path can be daunting. New horseshoeing school graduates understand this. Despite having the proper educational background, new farriers quickly learn that the education doesn't stop once they receive their certificate of completion.
As a farrier, you're considered the hoof-care expert by your clients. That also means they look to you to teach them at least a little bit about hoof care. This makes sense in many ways.
A livestock brand is a mark unique to the owner, allowing the animal to be instantly recognizable as property. A business brand serves a similar purpose - it lets potential customers quickly assess who and what you're all about and whether your services or products are a good fit for their needs.
Seasoned shoers who have been in the industry for more than 30 years notice how communication among farriers has changed since they entered the profession. Decades ago, farriers wouldn't readily share information with one another. During those times, a shoer would likely quit working if another shoer showed up at the barn, rather than give away any beneficial insight to observers.
It's a safe bet that you didn't enter this industry because you enjoy business. Few business tasks are less appealing, or as necessary, than bookkeeping.
One of the most intimidating things facing you at the beginning of your career is the realization of how little you actually know about hoof care. Mistakes will happen, but you must be wiling to learn from them.
Farrier tools are a big investment, so it is important that you take the extra steps to ensure that your tools perform at their best and last as long as possible — especially when money is tight in your career’s early years.
Many novice horseshoers will start their careers without paying much attention to protecting themselves with insurance - and that's a big mistake. Insurance is not a luxury for farriers - it's a necessity.
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.