With today's horse owners seeking more product information and requesting solid advice on all aspects of managing their horses, you have a great opportunity to share your experiences and ideas with shoeing clients.

Dan Moore says many of today’s horse owners definitely want more information about products and want to frequently talk over horse management problems and concerns with farriers.

“Owners trust farriers and I’ve never seen a shoer that wasn’t willing to talk about what they know,” says the owner of the Natural Horse Vet Co. in Unicoi, Tenn. “Since owners recognize that foot quality is directly related to nutrition, stress and the environment, many want to talk about ways to improve footcare.

“As an example of the demand for more overall equine management information, owners recognize that farriers are excellent sources of information regarding nutrition. While you may not be the technical expert on equine nutrition, you know what’s working for other shoeing clients and that’s what horse owners want to learn more about.”

A veterinarian himself, Moore believes farriers have a distinct advantage over veterinarians when it comes to selling products. Not only are farriers in touch with horse owners more often than veterinarians, but they spend more time at a barn and have more time to talk about a horse’s needs and products.

“Farriers are exposed to many ideas and products,” says Moore. “Plus, they’re willing to learn and are open-minded to new ideas.”

Besides hoof-care products, Moore believes farriers should offer joint supplements, nutraceuticals, dewormers…