Strategy For Dictating Your Work Schedule

After having back surgery, Hillsborough, N.C., farrier Jeff Denson wanted more balance to his work and family life, so he established working hours of 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. for his practice.

“My plan is to do a much better job scheduling,” he explains. “If I have a stop that goes past 2, I’m going to go home. My last appointment for the day would be at 12:45. That would be a one-horse stop or a few trims. I always do emergency calls first thing in the morning. If a horse is hurt from something shoe related, I’m going no matter what time it is. For the most part, I travel 15 minutes from my house. I also have three farriers that I’ve trained who shoe in the same area, and I’ll rely on them.”

Shoeing To A Prescription

In an American Farriers Journal exclusive survey, we asked farriers about a scenario in which they are dictated a shoeing prescription from a veterinarian whom they disagree with. Of the responses, 10% felt it would be best to quit the account, 18% would not quit, but would refuse to work with this horse, 6% would shoe the horse, but would look to quit the barn; and 66% would shoe as prescribed.

One respondent recommends following the instructions, but writing “as prescribed” on the invoice.

Use The Correct Heat For Your Burn

There’s a popular belief that hot shoeing doesn’t harm a horse. However, that’s not…