Regardless of how long you’ve been working in the footcare business, it never pays to stop learning. The more continuing education you get, the better your chances are for turning your improved skills into additional income.

A good example of the fact that continuing footcare education pays is found in data from International Hoof-Care Summit surveys. It indicates that these attendees earn an average of $28,000 more gross income each year compared to the typical farrier.

Why Education Pays

Another example of the many benefits of continuing education is found with the careers of three young men who were honored last winter as “Rising Shoeing Star” award winners.

This program is designed to promote the importance of further horseshoeing education while encouraging young shoers to be successful. The program is co-sponsored by Anvil Brand Shoe Co., G.E. Forge & Tool, Life Data Labs, Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center, Victory Racing Plate Co., Vettec and American Farriers Journal.

Each of the award winners began a full-time shoeing career after graduating from horseshoeing school in 2005. They quickly earned certified journeyman farrier status from the American Farriers’s Association and continue to invest in attending hoof-care events to improve their skills.

We asked each of the award winners to share the smartest moves they’ve made as they started their careers.

Robert Whitt says it was investing the time and dollars to attend numerous clinics and forging competitions.

“Not only did I learn a great deal from the events, but also from networking with top…