You have a busy day ahead which means that keeping on track depends largely on having mannerly horses with clean, dry feet waiting when you arrive. Someone on hand ready to hold each horse for the duration without interruption is a plus, as are aisles clear of debris, dogs locked up and — of course — and payment waiting for you at the end of it all.

While these kind of textbook days are few and far between, by establishing a clear understanding with your clients about what is and what is not acceptable within the parameters of the job, you’ll be greatly increasing your chances of getting through your appointments unscathed as well as improving your efficiency.

But, how do you do that? As much as you might like to back offenders into the corner, wag your finger in their face as you berate them for having held you up while they searched vainly in the “back 40” for the mud-drenched horses or for jeopardizing your well-being by allowing kids on bikes in the barn, you can’t do that and expect to collect their money at the end of it all — not more than once anyway.

Farriers seem to agree on some of the biggest owner infractions, and have come up with their own ways to…