Posted by Rick Burten on February 11, 2003 at 11:00:55:
In Reply to: Re: hoof shape and breakover posted by Jim R. on February 10, 2003 at 12:09:29:
: : : ...how many times have we pulled off shoes (shod by someone else) where all 4 shoes match perfectly?!?!?........I had one the other day....not only was the horse seriouly undershod, his breakover was way off, no heel coverage, walls raped to meet the shoe, balance was nowhere to be found
: : : : I often ask myself why I try so hard to do everything right.....I just can't bring myself to do it wrong......hopefully someone appreciates the difference......probably only the horse and me, but that's OK I guess
: : :
: : : Yup... and the guy was probably getting only a few dollars less than you and had more work....
: : : I know the feeling.... we have a guy around here that uses that "tachnology" and TRIES to shoe 2 horses an hour and brags that sometimes he can do 3.
: : : He gets about 50 bucks a head and is covered up with work. I don't get it.
: : : Sorry.
: : : I just don't get it.
: : : Can someone explain that to me?
: : : I'd really appreciate it
: : I figure I'm going to get caught at what ever I'm doing eventualy, so I try to do every horse perfectly. Better to have some old nag you think no one will ever see, get taken to the Vet for some reason, and have everyone there be impressed.
: : If your allways doing the best you can, it's no big deal to do when you have to.
: : My $0.02,
: : Bill
: Scott,
: I really like the word you mentioned, "tachnology". I had a good laugh over that one. I know the feeling of pulling shoes off that are 0's that have a size 6 cty/reg nail mushed into the nail holes and maybe the heels "kinked" in just for good measure. The only shaping done was over the side or face of the anvil to open or close the shoe. The thing that really chaffs my butt is when someone says, "I really respect the way so&so shoes horses", and tachnology has been used. I always ask, "Why?." The explaination I usually get is so&so can shoe a horse in 20-30 minutes and the shoes stay on for at least two-three months. These people often mention the fact the horses are lame for a period of one-two weeks after being freshly shod. I have found I only shoe one time for these type of folks. After getting the horses feet back in shape these people will call someone cheaper to reset my work. I guess thats ok maybe by doing the best work we can, always as Biil mentioned, others may follow the example. It's like the old saying that was drilled into me by the Army, "Lead by example and be the best you can be"! Well something like that anyway.
: Jim R.
By keeping my prices high, I eliminate most all of the "tire kickers" looking for price. I also have a strict business policy that if someone quits me over price, I do not take them back. Regardless!(the only exception being if I am doing the horse at a vet clinic , in which case it is much like hitting the Little Lotto as far as I'm concerned.
Sadly, there are too many pseudo-farriers (aka: iron hangers)out there who feel that just because a bent piece of steel with holes in it comes in a box marked "horseshoes", that they can just take one out and nail it on. As an industry, we have done a really poor job of promoting and requiring quality, integrity, knowledge, skill and ability. We have to get to the place in owner's minds where the VALUE of our services is the key point, not the PRICE charged. For, in almost all instances, when a high value is placed on our services, the price becomes moot.
And, I don't want to provide services to those who really don't see the value therein contained. And that is why that 50 buck/horse, 2-3horses/hour iron hanger is covered up. Those people would never be my clients because all they are really interested in is the price. With more than 6 million horses in the US today, I can find a place where my value is commesurate with the price.
Rick