Getting Started in Hoof Care

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This special publication is published once per year by American Farriers Journal. The career guide delivers advice from farriers on how to establish and operate a successful equine footcare practice.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Farrier School is Just the Beginning

By Jeff Cota posted on July 18, 2023 | Posted in Education

On the first day of class, Bob Smith makes two important points to his Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School students.
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People Skills

Effective Farrier Client Management Begins with Communication

Interactions are an opportunity to gather information that benefits the horse

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 18, 2023 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

A younger farrier recently rode in Tom Trosin’s shoeing truck. While chatting between stops, the junior horseshoer identified one aspect of farriery that the Oklahoma farrier excels at — and it has nothing to do with trimming and shoeing.
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People Skills

Get Answers Before Hiring Hoof-Care Clients

Cornell University farrier gathers different levels of information before taking on horses

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on July 18, 2023 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

In an ideal and unrealistic world, horse owners would be model clients with mounts that had perfect conformation and feet. Rather, it’s necessary to ask questions and gain some knowledge about that horse and client before saying “yes.”
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Finances

Set Your Farriery Prices Based on Your Costs

Kentucky farrier shares how he determines how much he bills his hoof-care customers

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 18, 2023 | Posted in Business Practices

There are differences in how every farrier approaches his or her business. Still, the most common and effective way to manage the finances of a farrier business remains knowing what it costs to shoe a horse.
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Equipment

A Startup Budget-Friendly Rig for Up-and-Coming Farriers

Alabama shoer designs and creates an efficient mobile work station that fits his budget

By Alexis Marshall posted on July 18, 2023 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

The prices of a decent rig can be overwhelming when you’re straight out of farrier school. Often, there are bills and expenses to be paid toward school, equipment, supplies and other needs.
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People Skills

Learn to Understand Your Hoof-Care Clients

Recognizing generational differences can help you better serve your customers

By Jamie Cooper posted on July 20, 2023 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Most farriers know that if you work in the business of hoof care, your clients are not just horses but the people who own, ride and care for them.
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A Young Farrier Shares Advice for Others with Aspirations

By Alexis Marshall posted on July 20, 2023 | Posted in Education

American Farriers Journal established the Rising Shoeing Star award program in 2008. This program recognizes farriers making incredible progress in their first 3 years after farrier school.
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Digital Edition

Digital Edition

Getting Started in Hoof Care 2023 Digital Edition

July 20, 2023

Login to view the 2023 issue of Getting Started in Hoof Care in an interactive, flipbook format.

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Videos

Farrier Education: Heartland Horseshoeing School

Farriery requires knowledge and skills to provide proper equine hoof care. In this series, sponsored by VICTORY, American Farriers Journal visits Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo. In this edition, Chris Gregory discussed his journey to becoming an educator, his focus in teaching farrier students and the state of farrier education.

Events

Hoofcare Essentials Foundation Clinic

Date: 10/06/23

Location: Amarillo, TX

Well-Shod will host a Hoofcare Essentials Foundation Clinic from Oct. 6-7, 2023, in Amarillo, Texas. The clinicians are Dave Farley, CF, APF-I, and Roy Bloom, CJF, APF-I.

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Top Directory Listings

Life Data Labs Inc

Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.

Kawell USA

Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.

SmartPak

From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.

Getting Started in Hoof Care

View Archived Issues

Fifteenth Edition (2023)

Table of Contents

Farrier School is Just the Beginning

Effective Farrier Client Management Begins with Communication

Get Answers Before Hiring Hoof-Care Clients

Set Your Farriery Prices Based on Your Costs

A Startup Budget-Friendly Rig for Up-and-Coming Farriers

Learn to Understand Your Hoof-Care Clients

A Young Farrier Shares Advice for Others with Aspirations

Digital Edition

Getting Started in Hoof Care 2023 Digital Edition

THIS MONTH'S DIGITAL SPONSORS:

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