The transition from horseshoeing school student to a full-time farrier can be rough, even for those who graduate at the top of their class. New graduates and those just starting their farrier business understand the challenges you’ll face, regardless of education and skill.
In 2008, American Farriers Journal established the Rising Shoeing Star award program. This program honors farriers for making outstanding career progress in their first 3 years out of farrier school.
Sponsors of the 2016 program include Electric Hoof Knife, Hawthorne Products, Life Data Labs, Purcell Farrier Supply, R.J. Matthews Co., Vettec and American Farriers Journal.
This year’s program honored three up-and-coming farriers who graduated from horseshoeing school in 2012 and have spent the past 3 years establishing their equine footcare careers. The farriers honored include Joanna Bailey of Redmond, Ore.; Eddie Cleckler of Springville, Ala.; and Victor Frisco of Crestwood, Ky.
Going to area barns, personally introducing yourself and handing out business cards is a great way to gain new clients and kick-start your business.
Ride with and learn from as many other farriers as possible.
An apprenticeship with an experienced mentor can be an invaluable experience.
Bailey took home the top honor at the 2016 International Hoof-Care Summit. A graduate of the Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif., Bailey shares some of the challenges she faced after graduation and how she dealt with them.
Q:
What were the major obstacles you faced in getting started in your career?
A:
Having to fully rely on my shoeing income from day 1. This put a lot of pressure on me to quickly find clients, which also meant that I worked on a lot of unsafe horses. I never would take a risk on horses like that today.
Joanna Bailey
Q:
How did you spend the first 6 months after graduation?
A:
I looked up every barn in my area, personally introduced myself and handed out business cards and flyers. I also volunteered for some veterinary hospitals to learn more about lameness.
I already had somebody to apprentice under before going to farrier school. So as soon as I got back, I worked with my mentor Charmaine Nelson most days.
Q:
Looking back, what were the biggest mistakes you made?
A:
I cold shod a lot of horses at first, as it seemed easier. It ended up ruining my forging technique that I learned at school and also put unnecessary strain on my body. It took a lot of effort to feel comfortable in the forge again.
Q:
What were the smartest moves you made in getting started?
A:
Having an apprenticeship with my mentor and having clients lined up before I even got back home.
Q:
What resources, other than schooling, did you find the most helpful?
A:
I learned a lot from reading material, local veterinarians and having an awesome mentor.
Q:
What do you wish you would’ve done while you were still in school that may have benefited you after graduation?
A:
I wish I had used even more of our free time to practice in the forge, as this is my biggest weakness.
Q:
What other advice do you have for graduates?
A:
Ride with as many different farriers as you can. Everyone will teach you something, even if that means learning what not to do.
Nominate a Rising Shoeing Star
To nominate a young farrier who graduated from a footcare school in 2014, please send a two- or three-page letter explaining why he or she is a candidate for the 2018 Rising Shoeing Star award.
The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2017. Mail your nomination to American Farriers Journal, P.O. Box 624, Brookfield, WI 53118-0624 or email it to ajohnson@lessitermedia.com
