Posted by Ronald Aalders on September 14, 2003 at 04:35:46:
In Reply to: Re: Who's in it for the money? posted by Frank on September 11, 2003 at 19:13:16:
: : : In my wanderings around cyber space I came across a website with this information. The website belongs to a Strasser practitioner of some two years. I found it interesting because many of those individuals accuse farriers of only shoeing horses for the money.
: : : "Services & Fees:
: : : Trimming $50.00 per hour($50.00 per horse minimum)
: : : Consultation $50.00 per hour
: : : Out of State Travel $300 per day plus expenses
: : : Trimming: First time trims are the only ones which may take more than one hour. Typical follow-ups are $50, provided tha the horse is being trimmed on a regular basis.
: : : Out of State Travel: this option is available for those who do not have access to qualified trimming help locally.......Maximum number of trims per day is six(less if there are horses with special problems).
: : : If travel consumes an entire day, add $100 per day of travel only."
: : : Lets see, approximately two years field work after a 21 day hands on school where the actual time spent under the horse is constrained by the other subjects discussed during the "field experience/practicum", and voila, you get to accuse professional farriers of only being in it for the money.
: : : Give 'em enough rope and they will hang themselves.
: : : Rick
: : Last night I shod 3 horses front shoes and billed them the normal charg, while I was there I trimmed an old pony no charge, watched another horse move and talked to the rider for a half hour no charge, checked the front feet of a horse that looked sore no charge. Hung around and chatted with friends no charge. Caught hell from my wife for coming home late. Jeese I didint know I could have been charging cosultant fees. I don't know what I am in it for, but I like the idea that I am helping others and making an honest living.
: : Phil
: Phil
: I agree with you whole heartly and catch that line all the time I think that the reason they charge so much cause they know somewhere inside that is a limited time deal so they have to charge enough to make it later but at the end of the day I must wonder if they feel the same enjoyment as we do? I have graduated to a insulated doghouse for the days like that that way I only have to hear the wah wah wah for a little while LOL
: Frank
People who know me say I'm pretty unforgiving towards that kind of shoer filled with hot air only. Usually they are the kind that will drop the foot they're working on when they know me and see me walk in. That way I won't see anything and will not ask embarassing questions. (They're wrong.....)
But, I have given pricing some thought and feel that we as shoers, (experienced or not but at least filled with an ambition to actually help out a horse and trainer) are underpriced.
In any normal business, everything should be paid for. Except in ours. We offer free advice, lend a hand on a little welding, fix a horse's minor tooth problem for free.........
But how many of us make enough money to cover all costs? Enough to make a good living for the work we do? And make enough money to keep up that kind of living when we are 55 without having to work our asses of at that age? Be able to buy a new truck every 5 years? And pay for a decent insurance that pays us a normal income when we get kicked by a horse and can not work for a month?
I sure don't. (The insurance guys wouldn't have me....)
These things guys are considered normal costs in any other business except ours. We should give it some thought.
Ronald Aalders