Sometimes trouble follows you wherever you go. That statement not directed at you Raphael. I have some long winded advice that would take too long to type. Give me a call at 707-834-0255 (PST) if you would like.
Yes! Definitely give Bill a call. He gives great advice. The man has never steered me wrong. And since Bill Adams is my official spokesman, whatever he tells you goes double for me making it worth twice as much!
thanks smitty, and there are more QH's in texas; than any other breed. that's why I suggested getting into QH's. some of your Appendix QH's [QH/TB] do show in the hunter/jumper divisions; but not as rodeo, western pleasure, reining, cutting, roping and team-penning.
OK, your start in this business has been mark with marker and rasp everything else off....you really need to offer your services unloading and setting up and sweeping up and all this time, learning from a Farrier. Then load up the equipment and be glad someone has taken you on to show you how to shoe horses in the real world....sponge up all the info you can and watch and learn..ask questions when given the opt too...I dont know how long you went but two weeks on two weeks off two weeks on...you aint learnin much sorry...
You gotta excuse all the good advise, that might kinda sound harsh, but what they are saying is true. The fact of the matter is that starting a shoeing business anywhere is hard. Starting any business is hard, most business advisers will tell you that a business won't pay it's own bills for several years, till it gets "established". The horse world is tough and a guy has to offer something that no one else in the area is offering. That's what will get you business. Anyone can buy a set of tools and nail shoes on, but few can do it right, and that is the one thing that will set you apart. But finding someone to ride with would be the biggest boost you could get.
A lot of guys have pointed out doing stuff other farriers don't do to set yourself apart..Linda said do handmades .. all good advice but it can be real simple stuff.. good starting point would be ... Set appointments the day you finish for the next time.. show up when you say you will..be on time.. be willing to talk to your client and explain what your trying to do..not talk at the client or down to the client.. respect the clients barn and sweep up when done or rake up ur mess if done outside..if another farrier throws you a bone be sure to call and thank that farrier no matter how shitty the account may be..when you do get new clients be sure to do a follow up call in about two weeks to ask if everything is going ok with the horse...those are the things that matter to a client..and keeping the horse sound......... And after you get going and you get fired ..and it will happen ..send an email or a card thanking that client for the time they did use you and explain to them you do understand and there is no hard feelings on your end and tell them they always have room on your books if they decide to come back...you have many that come back if left with an open door policy..and for the love of all that's good don't get ugly with a client that may fire you..
Never burn any bridges. That's great advice Travis. My dad told me something important when I started he said, "People will come and go, no matter how good of a job you do." Cody Gilreath, CF Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As a Professional Farrier you will get fired rehired fired rehired,,depending on the owners, trainers , vets moods...do what you do and shut them the hell up!!
