They’re everywhere. Every time you turn around, someone’s nose is in a smartphone. In fact, you probably have a holder or two who do little but text, check social media or surf the Internet the entire time you’re under the horse.

When you have a good client, you look forward to getting to that barn. They respect your investment in developing skill and knowledge, appreciate your work with their horses and — although it isn’t about the money — they pay on time, without commentary on the price.

Since its inception, the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF) Board of Directors identified the need for a program that recognizes the knowledge, education and skills of its members. Four years later, that need was met with the launch of its farrier credential program.

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 sale of any business is complicated, and selling a small, personal-service business like a farrier practice that is built around developing successful client relationships is even more difficult. A business sale is composed of two parties exchanging assets that they agree are of similar value. In this case, this usually would mean paying all cash or coming up with some type of a combination of a cash payment plus an earn-out arrangement when purchasing a farrier business.