Setting up a farriery business - advice please!

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OverTheClouds

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Hello,
My partner will hopefully be a qualified farrier by next year, so we are looking at places to move to, to set his business up. I was just wondering if there are any areas that are in need of another farrier? Or nice rural places to live?
Many thanks :D
 
No real advice on where to go, but all I would say ( as you already know) reputation is every thing.

My farrier is quiate calm and kind, explains why he is doing something, completly honest ( even if it means he looses out on money eg I felt we needed front shoes, his opinion was no, defiantly not :) )

I would never change him, and recommend him whenever I get the chance, he also introduced me to a dentist when mine stopped doing it, it happened to be his brother, who also has the same appreciation that all horses/ponies are individualand treat themas such.

I am in Lincolnshire, and much luck to your OH in his new venture :)
 
Thank you very much for that :)

My partner absolutely loves his job, he is honest, extremley reliable, very calm and really good at what he does (I'm not just saying that!!!) he is training with one of the top boys and he thinks a lot of him. Its just hard getting into the job, hopefully once he does he will get quite a few customers!

Thank you for your advice xx
 
It sounds like he has everything on his side :)

A new farrier set up here recently, and I noticed that he put a pile of business cards in every type of animal shop, and flyers.

Where are you based ATM ?
 
Yes, we have a list of things to do to advertise, but can't do it until he has passed all his exams :)

We are based in Herefordshire on the Shropshire borders at the moment. We were thinking of moving to the Ledbury area, but there are so many areas to choose from!!
 
We are absolutely crying out for a good, reliable, sensible farrier who knows something about hoof balance and anatomy, listens to the owner, understands that not all horses are the same and have individual needs, and does not simply slap on a set of readymades two sizes too small and carve the foot to sort of fit them :(:(

I don't have a single client whose horses are shod well, and since OH has given up doing my mare, I am in total despair :( One shoeing by someone who is meant to be good, and her way of going is totally changed, she knocks into herself in front, brushes behind, and I'm using boots for the first time since backing her 3 years ago :mad: I could seriously cry :(

I can offer a forge, fully equipped, a house to rent, and 7 horses to get you started (along with probably all the other horses in the area if he's any good):) My friend is getting someone from 75 miles away to come down to hers :eek:
 
Shadowboy if we move to ledbury he will be covering that area too and he is 100% reliable, he knows how important that is and I'm going to be his secretary so I will be sorting him out anyway :D x
 
I read an article last year which said there was a huge shortage in Scotland. My own farrier was saying that too many newly qualified farriers take on too many clients and start getting over stressed and too quickly ruin their own backs. So if you are organising your OH make sure you do not work him too hard!
 
Rowreach said:
We are absolutely crying out for a good, reliable, sensible farrier who knows something about hoof balance and anatomy, listens to the owner, understands that not all horses are the same and have individual needs, and does not simply slap on a set of readymades two sizes too small and carve the foot to sort of fit them :(:(

I don't have a single client whose horses are shod well, and since OH has given up doing my mare, I am in total despair :( One shoeing by someone who is meant to be good, and her way of going is totally changed, she knocks into herself in front, brushes behind, and I'm using boots for the first time since backing her 3 years ago :mad: I could seriously cry :(

I can offer a forge, fully equipped, a house to rent, and 7 horses to get you started (along with probably all the other horses in the area if he's any good):) My friend is getting someone from 75 miles away to come down to hers :eek:
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This might well be a lead to follow,Overtheclouds.
As the OH of a farrier,I know a little about starting business in a new area. The biggest problem,if you move to an area with established farriers is that there IS work to be gained,but its usually the less desirable clients who have upset all the local farriers! It is possible to build a reputaion in these circumstances,but why make a hard job any harder! Find somewhere there is a shortage(and get clued up on Barefoot;))
 
Thanks!
Do you have any ideas of how i can find out the areas that are lacking farriers? Thats what i did this thread for, but im still not sure!
He wants to be dedicated to the clients he has, so i dont think he wants to have too many of them at first.
Thank you
 
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