Opinion On Moving Ahead

As a generalization, it seems that some farriers do not consider it necessary to actually run an efficient, professional business and focus more on the shoemaking side in preference to the part that actually keeps you and the horse safe and makes you money.

I do not doubt individuals’ dedication, skill and commitment to the horses in their care; I just feel we could better spend our time. Having grown up in the industry at a time when we had to hand make everything, I fully understand how fascinated you can become with shoemaking — some farriers even admit that they would rather make shoes than actually shoe the horses. This does not mean that I am against making shoes as it forms an integral part of the job; however, with the range of shoes now available I can see little to financially support it anymore.

I do strongly believe that we will never be seen as professionals until we embrace advancing technology and software. Almost every other business sector has gone down that path, leaving us kicking stones, reluctant to take the first step. I am sure that the first step of any journey is usually the hardest. However, I now feel the farriery industry needs to stop trying to hang back in the past and move onward and embrace tools (OK, electronic) that are helpful by saving time and making our businesses more profitable…