There is more to operating a successful farrier business than shoeing horses. Maintaining a healthy profit margin is key to ensuring farriers can continue to do what they love. At the 2026 International Hoof-Care Summit, Paris, Ontario, farrier Andrew DeVisser explains this means controlling expenses, scheduling efficiently and raising prices appropriately. 

“For some of us, it’s easy to be busy shoeing horses while the barbecue fire that is the financial side of our business rages vaguely in the background,” he says. 

Without proper management, taking an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to finances can lead to spiraling debt and undue stress. Profit margin is a measure of expenses vs. income, the “margin” being how much profit you gain after all expenses are taken into account. It’s an effective way to measure the health of a business. DeVisser does not include retirement savings, other wages and personal expenses in business expenses. Those items would be pulled from the profit margin final number. Taking the time to keep up with inflation, evaluate where expenses can be cut and raise prices as needed ensures your profit margin stays in the black year over year. 

…