A Career Guide For The New Farrier Eleventh Edition (2019)

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

Welcome to the Beginning of Your Future

By Jeff Cota posted on July 30, 2019

When Sedalia, Colo., farrier Tad Keegan earned his private pilot’s license, his instructor offered some keen insight on education.
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Six Vital Things Students Must Learn in Horseshoeing School

By Jack Roth posted on July 30, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices

I have taught horseshoeing for more than 40 years to more students than anybody else ever has. Most of my graduates have gone on to shoe horses professionally and made a living for themselves and their families.
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Become the Best Farrier You Can Be

By Chris Gregory posted on July 30, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Education, Shoeing, Trimming

Congratulations on your choice of industries. If it becomes for you half of what it has been for me, you are in for a great life. There are few jobs or industries that I know of that will give back like this one, so enjoy the ride.
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Primary Farrier Education and Apprenticeships Go Hand-in-Hand

By Mitch Taylor posted on July 31, 2019 | Posted in Education

It’s important for the farrier school graduate and the mentor to understand the definition of the word “apprentice” before either individual enters into a working relationship.
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Avoid Mistakes that Can Derail Your Young Farrier Career

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on July 31, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

So, you’ve graduated farrier school or finished an apprenticeship and are ready to launch your own farrier business. You might be thinking, “What are my next steps? How can I stand out from other farriers? What does it take to run my own business?”
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12 Ways to Improve Your Hoof-Care Efficiency and Save Money

By Trevor Hall posted on July 31, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

When I was getting started in the farrier business as a teenager, I struggled with efficiency while shoeing horses, along with the myriad of other issues that plague a young, green farrier. I remember asking my Dad, whom I grew up working with, “How can I get faster?”
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Farriers and Clients Have Expectations Each Should Meet

By Doug Butler posted on August 1, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Horse owners have many expectations of a farrier. Recognizing and positively acting upon horse owner expectations are critical aspects of building a successful farrier business. Ignoring those expectations will negatively affect a farrier’s ability to build a successful business.
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Grow Your Skills with Continued Education

This article was originally published Aug. 1, 2019 and has been updated.

By Ron Perszewski posted on August 5, 2020 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Attending and graduating from farrier school will help you lay the groundwork for a successful career — but if you want to continue to improve in your skills and develop as a hoof-care practitioner, it is only the beginning. Industry leaders point to an increasing emphasis on continuing education and professionalism in the farrier world, and the ongoing need to add to your knowledge and skills.
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Hall of Famers Share Gems of Wisdom for Young Farriers

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on August 1, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Farriery is a never-ending journey of hoof-care education. It doesn’t matter how long one has been tending to horses’ feet, there’s always something to learn. There’s no better way to learn than to sit at the feet of your elders and listen as they share their wisdom.
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Answers to the Most Asked Hoof-Care Business Questions

August 2, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices

The weeks and months following a footcare student’s graduation from shoeing school can be both exhilarating and intimidating.
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Products in Action, G.E. Forge

July 30, 2019

Products in Action, G.E. Forge – Getting Started in Hoof Care 2019
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Questions to Ask Before Hiring Clients

This article was originally published August 2, 2019 and has been updated.

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on August 3, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education

In an ideal and unrealistic world, horse owners would be model clients with mounts that had perfect conformation and feet. Rather, it’s necessary to ask questions and gain some knowledge about that horse and client before saying “yes.”
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Two Methods to Consider When Firing Hoof-Care Clients

This article was originally published August 2, 2019 and has been updated.

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on August 2, 2020 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education

As your shoeing career pro-gresses, you are going to have clients who raise your blood pressure as soon as you see their name on your schedule. After working hard to build 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 just might be what your business and your mental health need.
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Charging What You Need to Earn Will Help You Build the Business You Want

By Jeremy McGovern posted on August 3, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Education, Equipment, Shoeing

There are a lot of costs for any footcare business. Materials, insurance taxes and so on. But which is the most significant cost? California farrier Margie Lee-Gustafson believes it is what you pay yourself.
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What’s the Best Retirement Plan for You?

This article was originally published Aug. 3, 2020 and has been updated.

By Ron Perszewski posted on August 4, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

As a self-employed farrier, enrolling in an employer-sponsored retirement plan isn’t an option. You’re on your own and you want to get serious about saving for retirement by opening a dedicated account, but where do you start?
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Understand the 4 Facets of Wealth Management

By David J. Barron posted on August 3, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices

The business and wealth management acumen our practicing farrier community lacks is shocking. Generally speaking, a farrier enters the trade in his or her mid-20s, spends the first 5 years establishing a business and reputation…
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Apps Can Improve Your Efficiency

By Chelsea Moskow posted on August 4, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Education, Equipment, Shoeing, Trimming, Products

The face of business management is changing with the birth of new technology over the last decade. Although many farriers still use old-fashioned pen and paper for billing and scheduling clients, a growing number are turning to apps and software to help their business run more smoothly.
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Choosing the Right Hardware for Your Toolbox

This article was originally published August 4, 2019 and has been updated.

By Ron Perszewski posted on August 3, 2020 | Posted in Business Practices, Education, Equipment

The quality of equipment you have will play an essential role in the quality of work you will deliver as a farrier. Equipment also will be one of your main investments when you are just starting out. With so many options and prices that run the gamut, how do you decide what to purchase? Three successful farriers with offer their insight on making smart tool and equipment purchases.
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Marketing Helped Indiana Farrier Broaden Client-base

By Kristen Kubisiak posted on August 4, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

When Cicero, Ind., farrier Cody Bogard graduated from shoeing school a little over a decade ago, his mentors assured him that he didn’t need to worry about getting clients. He would have more work than he could handle in a couple of years if he did two things: show up on time and return phone calls.
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Critical Keys to Successfully Work with Veterinarians

This article was originally published Aug. 5, 2019 and has been updated.

By Tim Shannon posted on August 5, 2020 | Posted in Business Practices

There are many equine professionals that you will work with throughout your career. One of the most important relationships you can build is with equine veterinarians. Together, farriers and vets develop solutions to help the horse. Both need to understand their respective roles to keep the horse’s health above all else — especially egos.
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Advice for Farriers Who are Just Getting Started

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on August 5, 2019 | Posted in Education

Completing farrier school represents a significant accomplishment. It also represents a significant step as a full-time professional and, most often, small business owner. You will face challenges that will test your resolve. The good news is that there are resources to help — your fellow farriers.
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2019 Getting Started in Hoof Care: Online Extras

July 30, 2019

Gain more insight on the farrier industry:

Listening to Hall of Fame Farriers from the AFJ Podcasts

Learning strategies on what to charge per horse

Technology in your hoof-care practice

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Digital Edition

Digital Edition

Getting Started in Hoof Care 2019 Digital Edition

August 1, 2019

Login to view the 2019 issue of Getting Started in Hoof Care in an interactive, flipbook format.

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Getting Started in Hoof Care

Eleventh Edition (2019)

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