With the nature of our business, starting from scratch isn’t an appealing prospect for most farriers. At a career’s launch, a new shoer fresh to an area typically struggles to acquire clients while working to develop a solid reputation. Often, that novice farrier may take on the horses that established farriers don’t want or need on their roster.

Sometimes circumstances may force established shoers to move to a new, unfamiliar area. A localized farrier who doesn’t have a regional or national reputation with a breed or discipline reverts back to greenhorn in reputation upon arrival. He or she essentially must start at the beginning, undertaking the grunt work required for establishing a practice.

Such has been the case with my practice — twice. My wife, Dawn, is studying to be a cardiologist, and my farrier business is secondary to hers. Her academic pursuit has taken us from Stillwater, Okla., to Ithaca, N.Y., to our current location in Delaware, Ohio. With the high demand of her chosen field, we will have the entire country open to us when her residency is over. Until then, we will be here for 4 years.

Because I’ve moved twice, I’ve been able to compare what has and hasn’t worked in my practice relocations. Some of the things I learned could help you, should you ever have to resettle your farrier business.

How Long Will You Be There?

If you have the option to pick where you’re moving to, I recommend that you first spend some…