Data compiled from two recently completed surveys has shed some new light on how you run your footcare business and how what you do compares with other footcare professionals. 

The data came from surveys filled out by attendees at the 8th annual International Hoof-Care Summit and by farriers who stopped by our both at the recent American Farrier’s Association convention.

These figures offer you a unique opportunity to evaluate how your business practices, workloads, pricing and other items compare with other footcare professionals located around the country.

One of the questions that farriers were asked is how many horses they work with during a typical day.

Some 22% of the farriers work with one to four horses per day while 42% handle five to seven horses. Another 19% work with eight to 10 horses during a typical day and 17% of the farriers normally deal with more than 10 horses.

Backyard Horses

When asked what percentage of their hoof-care work deals with backyard horses, 15% said it makes up more than three-quarters of their work. Another 28% indicate it makes up 51% to 75% of their workload while 27% say backyard horses made up one-quarter to one-half of their work.

Nearly one-third of these farriers get less than 25% of their work from dealing with backyard horse owners.

Barefoot Movement

Farriers were also asked whether they believe the barefoot movement is continuing to increase in their area. Some 29% said they see more horses being left barefoot while 54% believe…