Farrier Walter Fuermann summed up the many benefits of running a footcare business. “It boils down to being your own boss and making a living while working in a barn rather than an office,” says the Hearne, Texas, shoer.

This was among dozens of rewards cited by farriers in a recent e-mail survey of American Farriers Journal readers.

The “Wow” Factor

Receiving a compliment or a pat on the back for a job well done from a client ranked high in the minds of farriers when it comes to rewards. A good example is hearing a “wow” from the owner when you get a horse going well, says Christopher Schork of Moab, Utah. Chad Hopkins of Weatherford, Texas, agrees, stating that he loves to hear a client say, “Wow, my horse hasn’t felt that good and sound in a long time.”

Melvin Jones boils effective rewards down into three simple words: work well done. “When you get done with a job and the owner or trainer compliments you on your work, you can feel proud of what you’ve done,” says the Galloway, Ohio, farrier. “When a horse is brought to you with either a simple or complicated problem and you are able to fix it, it makes everyone that is involved feel good.”

Shane Westman of Bow, Wash., says the biggest reward is seeing a 13-year-old girl beaming when her horse is healthy and performing at its best. Tracy Harbes of Simonton, Texas, adds that getting a horse sound…