Posted by John Barney on June 18, 2003 at 12:13:33:
In Reply to: Re: Fired posted by Phil Armitage on June 15, 2003 at 22:53:42:
: : That's one of the great things about this business.... you go to one stop and the people think you all but walk on water, and the next stop they think you must be some sort of reprobate for charging so much to do such a menial task since you raised your fees five bucks. After all.. it's just nailing some shoes on, right?
: : You want an ego boost?
: : Here's one, just for you.
: : The career you have chosen is one that has mystified the minds of people great and small for eons. You bend your frame low to aid a mammal in its talent for flight. Without you, the horse would suffer a heinous demise.
: : You do it mostly for love and self satisfaction for you have an appreciation for poetry in motion that transcends cultures, ages, race and time.
: : People that have no understanding of our strife toward excellence do not deserve our talents.
: : They are not worthy.
: : Just smile and say, "thanks".
: : But do not burn your bridges.
: : For instance:
: : I had a client of a nice pleasure horse barn quit me several years ago over my fees. Her owners had had a bug placed in their ears by a farrier covetous of the barn (read "I can do what he can only better and cheaper").
: : Two years later, after they had gone through three other farriers, she called me back.
: : Funny... my fees had almost doubled in that short amount of time.... huh... imagine that...
: : You know what? because I was able to charge them that much, it gave me the confidence to charge everyone else that much as well.
: : And I didn't lose a single client by doing so.
: : My only regret is that I wish I had done it years ago....
: : What goes around comes around....
: What finger did you get it in? I got it in my left hand middle finger, it got so infected that my shoulder even hurt. I also bled all over her horse and just like that old stroy went, she was so relieved that it wasnt her horse, and she wondered if I was going to finish her rank horse or not. I did finish and was darn proud of my self for cowboying up and finishing the job. She fired me? It bothered me for a long time that all that was for not. Well I pressed on and learned a lesson, some people only use you and do not appreciate or understand what a skill it is to be a horseshoer, you are holding the leg of a flight animal and nailing on a steel shoe at the same time. 90% of these horses are owned by people who do not understand them and increase there stress by just being around, even some of the best horse people don't understand them, but a mere farrier like yourself can get under a stressed animal and gain there trust and confidence take there only chance of survival away the ability to run. Not only do you walk on water brother, you have a talent that most will never have. You hang in there, there is plenty of horses out there that need you and before you know it, you will be buisier than you want to be. I consider it a gift to have the ability to work on horses, it is not the horses fault when things go bad, it is always 100% a persons fault. Remember that and try to put your self in there situation. Good job by the way, now some lucky horse owner will gain your services.
: Phil
As usual you guys are right. Got a new customer yesterday with two horses that hadn't been trimmed in five months. They stood like statues!! When I was done their feet looked great( if I may say so myself) the horses moved off better, and the owner had no problems with time or cost. Thanks for the responses, it makes you feel a little better when you know others have been done the same road. By the way Phil it was the right index, I didn't cowboy up quite as good as you, I wrapped it tight with tape and pulled the three nails that were in, rounded the edges and went to the ER.
Thanks again.
JB