Brock, Texas, farrier Lee Olsen didn’t intend to start a haul-in multi-farrier practice until it became the most practical option. Instead of referring horse owners to his former helpers, who may or may not perform to Olsen’s standard of care, he decided to keep apprentices on for at least 4 years to ensure they’re trained thoroughly. Many stayed with Olsen on commission, until one day he realized he was operating a multi-farrier practice. 

“Before the haul-in practice, I was your typical farrier who drove around and had all these great clients. My books were full. Then, instead of saying no to new clients, I started saying, ‘Yes, if you can bring them to me.’ It wasn’t much at first, but then it was 1 afternoon a week, 2 days a week, 3 days, 4 days,” Olsen says, who returned to the 2026 International Hoof-Care Summit to share his keys to running a successful business. 

He doesn’t advocate for anyone to immediately transition into a multi-farrier practice, but his current business model has developed from successfully establishing a 4-year apprenticeship program while maintaining the highest standards for client service. 

“You don’t have to have this all figured out; you can dip your toe in the water,” he says. “You just have to figure it out. Yes, multi-farrier practices have lots of advantages, and, yes, it makes money, but everything comes with a struggle. In that sense, don’t let anything stop you. If you want something, you can have it.”

At the…