Surviving the rigors of the farrier industry often relies on whether you can build a clientele that helps to make ends meet. On the other hand, the survival of your sanity often depends upon the quality of your clientele, rather than the quantity.

The $64,000 question is: How does one find a balance? There are a number of methods, techniques and practices that farriers can employ to improve their lot in hoof care. Ridgeland, Wis., farrier Justin Mundt finds it by guarding it like a bouncer outside of a trendy nightclub. Accordingly, he calls it his Red Velvet Rope Policy.

Mundt’s policy consists of asking six open-ended questions when a potential client contacts him about his services.

“This might help weed out some of the non-desirable clients,” he says.

Red Velvet Rope Policy

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“This question is gold!” Mundt says. “Simply ask the question and let them answer without interruption. You’ll learn valuable information, such as: whether the farrier fired the client, what they don’t…