Referring clients to a specialist is a common and valuable practice that’s proven extremely advantageous for patient outcomes. It is also proven valuable for professional development and advancement.

The human health care profession has elevated patient referrals to a high level¹ that can be successfully incorporated into farrier practices. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, farriers can simply use it.

The blueprint for referrals² is elementary and given the elevated risk of injury, many farriers likely have personal experience. When visiting a general practitioner or family doctor during a checkup, a health issue may arise that requires specialized care that is beyond the scope of their practice and expertise. The general practitioner secures the patient’s confidence by explaining the need and rationale for referring the patient to a specialist. The general partitioner gathers all the available information about the case and finds a specialist who will perform the necessary work.^3,4

When transitioning the model from human patient to the hoof-care practice, the current farrier, the specialist and client meet to discuss the case’s details. The specialist’s entry and exit are defined, and the treatment protocol and execution are determined. It’s a blueprint that some farriers have found success with.

Lending a Hand

Strasburg, Pa., farrier Patrick Meck…