What are the greatest challenges you face as a footcare professional?

The half dozen major challenges farriers indicate they face in their hoof-care work include:

  • Educating clients on proper footcare needs
  • Owner compliance with daily footcare needs
  • Clients understanding what quality hoof care is all about
  • Keeping horses sound
  • Getting paid on time for footcare work
  • Time management for both work and family

— 2017 International Hoof-Care Summit attendee survey

Footcare Professionals Don’t Like To Work Alone

Some 53% of full-time farriers rarely or never trim and/or shoe without another person being present at the barn.

— 2016 American Farriers Journal Farrier Benchmark Study


Friday's Farrier Facts & Figures is brought to you by Markel Insurance.

Markel Corporation (NYSE – MKL) is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, and investment operations around the world. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and founded in 1930, Markel reports its ongoing underwriting operations in three segments, and products originate from four insurance divisions and one reinsurance division. Markel Ventures, a subsidiary that makes strategic investments in companies outside of the insurance marketplace, is another important component of our business.


In each of our businesses, we seek to deliver innovative products and responsive customer service so that we can be a market leader. Our time horizon is long-term, our underwriting approach is disciplined, and our focus is on continuously improving the quality of the customer experience. Our financial goals are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and to combine those profits with superior investment returns to build shareholder value.