July, 1996 Issue of the Forum

First let me apologize for this issue being a few days late. You farriers know how hectic things get in the field this time of year. Your editor has also been busily involved in some of the big changes in the industry that have been mentioned in the last couple of issues. But the Forum is finally here.

President Crane explained in the last issue that, despite our association's name change from "Carolinas Chapter of the BWFA" to "Southeastern Horseshoers On Education", SHOE was not breaking its ties with the BWFA and intended to remain a BWFA chapter.

But the BWFA headquarters later announced that they were discontinuing recognition of all their chapters. So SHOE is no longer a BWFA chapter, but continues to go strong as an independent regional organization.

Although I have been unable to get official conformation of this, recent word from reliable sources has it that the BWFA has actually shut down.

To some of the Carolina boys who did so much to help build the BWFA in its early years, the downfall of the association brings a bit of sadness. But they can take comfort in the realization that our work for the Brotherhood was not in vain. Nothing that has happened in Villanow, Texarkana, or Wichita has undone the good we accomplished for the profession of farriery and the horse community in this area. The BWFA honors we have fairly won and the things we achieved nationally are not diminished in any way by what has happened of late.

Most of all, our involvement with the BWFA has been a great learning experience. We have seen what works well, and also how things can go drastically wrong. So when the next big movement to organize for the improvement of our profession comes along, no one will be better prepared than us.

~~~~~ CONGRATULATIONS to President Jeff Crane and his wife (our Secretary) Debbie on the birth of their daughter!!! ~~~~

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Most horseshoeing prices depend on how much the shoer wants to make after expenses. The big expenses are shoeing supplies (shoes, nails, etc.), insurance, fuel, rig costs, and the I.R.S.

Shoeing supplies have been going up sharply for the last ten years. Nails have hit us hard the last few years and it seems there is no end to it. Nail prices got so bad that the F.T.C. had to get involved.

As for insurance, horseshoers fall somewhere between race car drivers and bull riders. All you have to do is say the word "horse" and your payment goes through the roof. And for the money we don't get much.

And now to top the whole thing off, gas prices are jumping up headed towards the sky. No telling when they will stop, but I hope it's real soon, or I'll have to take out a loan to fill up.

All of this cuts into the horseshoer's profits and effectively makes his take home pay smaller every week.

For the horseowner, it will mean that the cost of having your horse shod will most likely go up in 1997.

Some horseshoers have already passed these expenses on to the horseowners. Others will take a beating until the first of the year then go up. Some of the shoers that went up this year will have to go up again in '97. Although the horse business has been good, the cost of doing this business has been going up a lot faster than it should. It is out of control.

I don't know what lies ahead for our industry after this election year. But I do know I will be voting in November and hope you do too.

Pro-Am Contest
Ballots counted, open Board Meeting Follows
Contact Jeff Crane 704/843-1466
Emergency Animal Rescue Service Training Seminar
August 17, 8:00 AM
Indian Trail, NC
Contact: Betty Orr 704/272-8298 or Debi Crane 704/843-1466

Fall Horseowner & Farrier Clinic
October 26
Raffle, Iron in the Hat, Demos, Vendors, and more!

1996 Awards Banquet
February 6, 1997 7:00 PM
Idlewild Country Club
$13 per person in advance. Keynote speaker to be announced. Cash bar 6-7PM.
Contact Jeff Crane 704/843-1466 or Marcus Pierce 704/753-4576

Please provide your: Name, Phone number, Address, City, State, Zip Code, Date of Birth, and Organizations of which you are a member.

Please make checks payable to: SHOE --send to-- Debi Crane, Secretary, P.O. Box 3531, Matthews, North Carolina, 28106, USA (704) 843-1466

Brands carried by Pierce Farrier Supply:
Champion Titanium
St. Croix Forge
Kerckhaert
Iron Works
Dutchtown
JB Aluminum Horseshoes
Farrier's Choice Horseshoes
Emerson
Anvil Brand
Victory
Cooper
Capewell
Mustad
Delta
Equilox
Level-It
DS Tools
GE Tools
W-Brand
Save-Edge
Simonds
Bellota
Castle Plastics, Inc.
Thera-Flex
Sorbathane
ShockTamer

July, 1996 Issue of the Forum & Idea Exchange