Reasons for switching farriers?

Question

what are the main reasons you have switched farriers or kept the one you have? also what do you look for in a farrier-clean, good with horses, reputation, etc... i have been shoeing for about 6 months now after graduating from a farrier school and im just trying to figure out what the customer is looking for. also any ideas for getting more customers?

Answer 1

when i am looking for a farrier, i am looking for a farrier who understands old horses. the idea that old horses have sore joints and there for have a hard time having their feet done. I had a great farrier, but i only have two horses so he stopped coming. so i also need a farrier willing to come and only do two horses, which is hard. I got rid of a farrier for hitting my 32 year old mare with his file, because she couldnt stand well.

Answer 2

The first farrier I had said he showed up and I wasn't at the barn at the time scheduled (I was), didn't call, and the last time showed up smelling of liquor. Oh,and he also felt it necessary to slam my weanling against the stall wall to get her done. C'mon -she was just a baby, and still learning.

My current (certified!)farrier is firm, but fair - I work well with him.

He keeps his appointments. He doesn't arrive with a hangover or drunk, to my knowledge.

If my horses are acting antsy, I circle them - get them to yield their hindquarters, in both directions. That seems to work well, and gets them into the proper frame of mind.

He also tells me if he agrees with a certain vet's assessment, or not - and why. He finally left the decision to me, and has been instrumental in slowly dropping one of my horses' heels.  She began to develop a slight clubbing of a forefoot, after a healed injury.  Happy to say, she's almost back to normal...!

I originally got his card at the local feed store.

He also trains horses the "whispering" way. He is patient.

I'm very pleased with my farrier!

Answer 3

I think a good farrier is good with the horses. I know a lot of horses can be difficult to handle, and a good farrier will be able to deal with the horse (and the owner). They should understand the different breeds and the different needs. They should understand the discipline the horse is competing in and the best practices (except saddleseat, they are cruel how they treat their horses feet). They should be willing to say, leave the horse barefoot if it is best for the horse even though they make less money. They should be friendly, even if they have had a long day.

They should understand the different diseases, especially laminitis and navicular and the new ways of treating the disease. We ended up using our vet as a farrier because he was more informed about treatments for severe founder as far as hoof trimming and all goes.

To get customers and your name out there, do online searches for farriers and the state you are in. There may be a site where you can list your services. A great place is to go to tack and feed stores and post a flyer with business cards on the wall. Most feed and tack stores have a wall where there are barns and horses for sale and services for horsepeople. Find all the places in your area. Stop by stables, see if they have a place to post your flyer/card.

Good luck! I hope you are very successful!

Answer 4

The biggest grief I had with a farrier one time was when I was boarding my APHA brood mare at a dressage competition barn.  The farrier almost ruined my mare nice wide feet trimming them narrow and high because that's how he did the warmbloods in the barn.  When I told him that my mare wasn't a warmblood and was supposed to have wider feet, he told me I wasn't a farrier and didn't know what I was talking about.  I was so mad, I refused to let him near my mare.

The best way to keep customers is to give them what they want (as long as it doesn't hurt the horse).  And definitely don't tell the customer that they don't know what they are talking about, even if they don't.  

As for getting new customers,  networking is probably the best..  Make an appointment to go to a barn and negotiate a price with them.  Carry your cards around with you, when someone says they have a horse give them your card.  You could even put on the back of the card, "10% off your first shoeing".  Then they might be willing to try you to save a little, then you would have to wow them with a charming personality and horses sense to keep them.

Answer 5

In our neck of the woods, the problem a new farrier faces is trying to get customers away from the established farriers.  We have a couple of guys here who have a near-lock on the show barn business, which is the most desirable (clients don't complain about cost, horses are well-behaved, bills get paid promptly).

To nibble away at that kind of monoply, a new farrier has to be able to do things the established guys won't:  be available on short notice, provide types of services the established guys can't/won't, do the job better than the established guys do, or do as well as they do but undercut their prices.  And take advantage of opportunities when the established guy isn't available for some reason.

I'll tell you one thing I wouldn't do-- and that's bad-mouth the quality of work that the established guys in the area do.  We had a guy who came in here and tried to drum up business that way.  He came to shows and other horse events, and he'd start the conversational ball rolling in general horse stuff, and then start to tell you about some flaw or problem he saw about the way your horse was shod, and tell you he could do it better.  This did not sit well with me, or anyone else I knew of, for a reason this guy probably didn't think of:  when you tell a horse owner that the way they've been having their horse shod or trimmed is wrong, you're virtually telling them that they aren't doing right by their horse and are too stupid to know it.  I don't know of too many horse owners who like to hear that.  So definitely don't bad-mouth your competitors.

If you have a horse or horses of your own, make examples of them:  see to it that their feet are always turned out superbly and people will notice.

I think it takes time and patience to pick up a clientele, but it's my observation that once most people are satisfied with a shoer, they'll stay with him forever (unless he screws up).  Good luck to you.

Answer 6

When I am choosing any horse related professional I like to hear good things about them. This is the most important thing!

However, there are many other ways to determine if my farrier is right for me and my horse.

- Farriers must have good horse handling skills. My horses are generally calm and quiet so if someone makes them nervous then I don't want them around. I also need to feel comfortable leaving my horses with the farrier and know that he or she will care for them appropriately.

- ON TIME AND EASY TO GET A HOLD OF IS A MUST! If you don't answer your phone, don't show up on time, and can never schedule appointments then forget about it. It is for this reason that I have a standing appointment every week with my current farrier. My farrier also has an email address that he checks on a regular basis.

- A farrier is a guest on any property so his or her ability to follow the rules and regulations in place at a given property is also a must. Good interpersonal skills are important to me because I like problems and solutions to be discussed in a professional and intelligent manner. My farrier has a large amount of knowledge in anatomy and physiology of the horse so I do trust and value his opinion.

- Ability to trim and shoe my horses effectively. If something isn't working for my horses I want a farrier who doesn't mind admitting a mistake or defeat. If my horses are uncomfortable or moving incorrectly I want my farrier to do everything possible to fix the problem. I had one farrier once who told me "I AM THE FARRIER AND I AM THE ONE WHO KNOWS IF THIS IS RIGHT OR WRONG!" I can tell you he was gone quickly and I moved on to someone who understand there is no one way to trim and shoe a horse. Also understanding if a certain horse needs a different farrier, it's not personal but sometimes horses do better with different people or a different person has knowledge of different methods that may work better.

- And of course a good price with good service (everything listed above). If I am getting minimal services and mediocre work but paying high prices you can bet I will go elsewhere.

I know that my farrier takes on recent graduates as apprentices and usually introduces them to their first few clients. I personally trust my farrier's judgement and if he thinks his apprentice can work on my horses, then I let him. He charges me less and usually the work is just as good.

I would suggest having a working website and email address. Layout your prices and the area you will work in. You can also provide references and experience on your site, pictures of clients horses are always a plus too! Show people that you have a steady client base! Post flyers in local tack shops, vet offices, feed stores, etc. and list your website URL. The internet is an excellent resource, use it!

Good luck in your business, I hope I was helpful!

Answer 7

I want my farrier to be good with the horses. He must be able to handle one with out getting upset or hitting the horse. Mine are not difficult to shoe at all and stand very quietly but I have seen a farrier hit the horse with a file. Not what i would want.

He must do a good job. The feet have to be trimmed to the correct angles and have the proper roll on the toes.

If he is setting shoes I want someone who can hot shoe as I want the shoes to fit the horse not the horse trimmed to fit the shoe.

He should be on time and call if he can not make the appt.

Other than that I expect he will be somewhat dirty after all he is working on horse feet in the heat.

Answer 8

just like a doctor, first do no harm. after that i look at how he handles my horse, does he listen to me when i try to tell him something [ my horse needs toe clips. he needs his toes a bit shorter than normal and so on], does he show up on time, cost, does he have what he needs with him, how well can he fit a shoe, how does my horse move after the shoeing or trim, does he respond to energency calls within a reasonable time, does he have a good eye for fit and movement, can he do the special stuff like ice shoes, toe clips, trailers, rolled toes and the like and does he know when such stuff is needed,.will he return asap if something goes wrong like pricking a horse.

in short i look for a good horseman that is also a craftsman with good customer relations. an ad or word of mouth might get you into my barn but its how you handle yourself and my horse and the end result that will get you called back.

Answer 9

the biggest reason to switch is if you dont show up or not call to re-schedule...be clean do the best you can with what you got...word of mouth goes a long way with the clients you pick up

Answer 10

I always choose a farrier that is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of a horse's hoof so as to fit shoes to the horse's foot. A good farrier couples a subset of the blacksmith's skills (fabricating, adapting, and adjusting metal shoes) with a subset of veterinary medicine (knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the lower limb) to address the care of the horse's feet.

I only choose farriers that get involved and ask the right questions,  If the animal has a heavy work load, works on abrasive footing, needs additional traction, or has pathological changes in the foot, then shoes may be required.

I also prefer farriers that have experience with dealing in injured and/or diseased hooves and applications of special shoes for racing, training or "cosmetic" purposes. In cases of horses with certain diseases or injuries, special recuperative procedures may be needed for the hooves, and then special shoes may need to be constructed and fitted.

These farriers can help you keep your horses in tip-top condition and head off many problems that are unforeseen to the rider/trainer/owner!

My horses are incredible athletes and are very active in equine activities, dressage, eventing and show jumping, so I'm not sure about what pleasure horse people settle for!