I give.

[Skinfaxi]

I know that I have been on the site a bit, asked some silly questions and learned ALOT!!!!

However, the success I have had with my own horses and the very few (junk feet/worse owners)horses I have been called to have not helped my situation. I have never done a bad job, in my biased opinion. I could have done more a few times, thinking to go gradually, on the silly assumption that I would be called back. No one has. Every horse I saw went better after I was done, so I don't understand this. At least one would have....

That said, for now at least, I'm throwing in the towel. It makes me rather sad. The whole reason I got this idea in my head was because I realized what a hoof really was, when the ones that belong to me were hurting. I wanted to do this to help other horses...

I cannot afford school, I havn't been able find a mentor without going to school. I am not being unreasonable or not trying hard enough. Money and phone calls are quite measurable things. If things change for me financially I will probably try it again, but for now...I give.

I am just posting this as a notice for any and all who were kind enough to try to help me this year, nothing more.

[Bill Adams]

Sarah,
I think the mistake you made is that you tried to do this rather than just doing it. Dosen't sound any different than what I and a thousand others went through.
Ya gota wana.
Bill

[Phantom Farrier]

Sarah,

"Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist but in the ability to start over." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

We all learn this business one small step at a time - your persistance will pay dividends. Keep on keepin on.

Phantom :)

[Skinfaxi]

I have been contacted by a few people who have cheered me some, and I may just be in a sort of winter slump about everything. Especially since I have been starting 2 buisnesses. My partner is a tuckpointer, and is starting out on his own, and counting on me to handle paperwork, ect.

I'm just way stressed. I may not quit, but I am not going to fret(and fret and fret) like I have been. If I get called great. If not I'll live. Tuckpointing is profitable, so if it goes well he will send me to school. I would feel MUCH better if just one horse would be a repeat. Then there is always spring right?

Anyway thanks guys. I'll keep on, I was just pulling my hair out over this when I wrote that. I was almost in tears. I gotta relax some...

[Red Amor]

Sarah
Farriery at best can be a very thankless task
I like you and many others have gone out of my way and far beyond the call of duty to help horses who belonged to people who amount to nothing more than ingrates and no matter what you do you will never please them
I have let these types get to me to the point of tears
you wouldnt think it to look at my photo, youd recon Id near bite their face off but thats not the case Im in face an old softy
So what do you do ?, you get off your bum and have another go simple as that

One of my mentors used to say the horses and the bludgers that own the are great levelers of men and women
He is right
I do wish you very well n good :)

[Skinfaxi]

you wouldnt think it to look at my photo, your recon Id near bit their face off but that not the case Im in face an old softy

Oh Red, I thought you were a gruff cutie!

One of my mentors used to say the horses and the bludgers that own the are great levelers of men and women

Ain't that the truth! And I have been leveled...flat out by a couple of the first kind.
That teaches ya not to do what you just did real good. It works the same for people too huh?

Thanks Red!

[Phil Armitage]

I have been contacted by a few people who have cheered me some, and I may just be in a sort of winter slump about everything. Especially since I have been starting 2 buisnesses. My partner is a tuckpointer, and is starting out on his own, and counting on me to handle paperwork, ect.

I'm just way stressed. I may not quit, but I am not going to fret(and fret and fret) like I have been. If I get called great. If not I'll live. Tuckpointing is profitable, so if it goes well he will send me to school. I would feel MUCH better if just one horse would be a repeat. Then there is always spring right?

Anyway thanks guys. I'll keep on, I was just pulling my hair out over this when I wrote that. I was almost in tears. I gotta relax some...

Sarah, we all go through this. This shows you really want to do this trade.
It is frustrateing as hell when your not doing it. Take advantage of this time to make plans, study, sharpen your skills and tools. Don't get stressed it will only do you harm. Stay safe, do not think you have to get under any and all horses. Hang in there, everything will work out. I think it took me about 5 to 6 years to really get a good buisness going.

[Mike Ferrara]

Inspite of we always hear how there are too many horses for the number of farriers, getting started isn't easy.

I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in here because I'm getting started for the second time. I haven't advertised and all my local work is trims. Since last June when I first became available for full time work many of the horses that I've done have been one time affairs. I'm willing to bet that these are horses that are only done once a year. I have some fairly regular accounts but they're still just a hand full of trims here and there.

My non-local work...

My former teacher sent me 5 horses that he figured that he could do without. It's a large barn with probably 100 head in all and in a few months that 5 grew into 26. For the most part, I control the schedule on these horses and that comes pretty close to a day a week, at least in the summer. I took back an old saddlebred account that I took care of years ago. I travel far for both these places but the mony's good and they're good places to work.

As you can see, it's pretty hard to get started in an area where you don't know any one. The first calls you get are the folks who can't get some one or can't keep them. This isn't the choice work and I don't know how to get around it. Other farriers might be real helpful folks on this board or at a clinic but, in my experience, out in the real world they're just the competition and if they aren't your friends they aren't going to do anything to help you.

Some areas are better than others but getting started can be a VERY slow process.

But...pay attention to what Phil says. Take advantage of this low pressure time. Getting into a place that you aren't ready for can be the worst thing that could happen to you. I just started getting shoes ready to get those show horses shod back up for show season. Even though I do lots of forging in general, I haven't had to get a stock of show shoes made up in a good many years and it's a good thing that I don't have 100 of these horses this spring. Even though I've done it all before, I need a "low pressure" show season to get back into things. It takes time to build stock up and sharpen and quicken skills. Getting in over your head whether it's the type of work or the amount is the last thing you want. I could have had other show horse accounts but I avoided it prefering to get things going at this one first. this is just one specific example that applies to me but the same general princeiplewould go for any type of horses I think. Once you push your way into the work, you have to make sure that you're ready to do the job.

How do you take advantage of this slow time? Right now, you have the time to get in the forge and mess around. You have the time to spend on every horse to make sure that everything is just right without having to watch the clock. You don't have to do 6 horses a day to keep up. You have the time to read. If you're lucky enough to find some one good that you can ride with, you have the time to do it...assuming of course that you are able to feed yourself in the mean time. Later when you have your own work you won't be able to ride with any one else unless you can afford to pass up paying work.

[Skinfaxi]

Thanks everyone. I think part of it is that I am not shoeing. I can't call myself a farrier, and it limits me(just for now anyway) in what kind of person will call, and how my advertising looks. I should probably push the "natural hoof" thing more. There is absolutely NO way I am picking up a hammer while under a horse until school.

Plus I don't know anyone. I have never shown and do not move in those horsey circles. I'm not complaining about that. I knew it when I started, it just puts me on the outside of things, so I know it will take longer.

I study alot and I am building a forge and stall jack. Making one out of a wheel like the one that was shown here awhile back and RR track. Not for anything but practicing hammering and shaping spare, poor bar steel. Might as well get an arm and a sense of it while I wait. With the studying, I just wish I had someone near me to ask questions too and discuss at length the things I don't understand yet.

I was just very frustrated. I can't get better and faster until I get under horses(not that I'd take any and all, but still). I hate how slow and way-less-than-pro I am when I work. There are so many things I need to buy but don't have the money for. Then the only thing I am known for is my impatience.

Thanks again.

[Wannabeee]

Mike I must say your advice is very good for Sarah and anyone/everyone else at all levels,very well written. Scott

[EileenHughes]

If this is really what you see yourself doing in the future, don't throw in the towel.

It is far easier to put in the time of learning the trade now when you are young, unattatched and childless (esp being a female) than to try and do this when you've already started a family.

Have you really gone down any and all avenues that would lead you to your goal? Maybe you could work off your tuition at one of the schools...or do housework (or whatever) for a farriers wife (or her if she is the farrier) in exchange for riding with him...or whatever you can think of to make it appealing to someone to help you with your schooling. These are just some ideas off the top of my head. Just think of what you'd do for an up and coming farrier, and ask! The worse people can do is say no. Some may even laugh, but who cares, it's your dream and you'll likely do just fine without their blessing.

If this is truly your dream, you may have to sacrifice comfort for it. You may have to leave your area, for a while anyway, to find someone willing to take you on. Focus on only your goal and forget the peripheral for now, that'll take care of itself later. You'll have a tougher time finding a situation because you're a girl, most farriers are men, and many wives aren't crazy about this set up. That's life, and that's what's on your plate.

I truly understand the frustration, as I have to finish raising and schooling my children before I can put a whole lot of effort into the farrier dream of mine...my obligation to my family is simply more important than my dream and I'm not one of those who can multi-task all that well. :o

I hope you don't give up and I hope you will brainstorm about opportunities that may be out there that you could take advantage of.

[hoofnhound]

Sarah,Great advice here-also,you should join your state farrier association and attend all thier events,If I were you I would join the Indiana assoc too and attend thiers.
I am in MI if you can get away for a couple of weeks this summer you are welcome to stay in my spare room and ride with me.I am only 5 years in,so I can't teach you a lot,but I'm pretty busy in season and have some interesting horses to do,I also have a freezer full of legs in the basement to pactice on and dissect.
Email me if you like,
Alison.

hoofcare@gmail.com

[Gary Hill]

Sarah, you say you don't move in the horsey circles? What is your level of Horsesmanship ? Do you own and ride a horse? Have you worked at a stable or around horses? I'm just asking because I find it hard to understand why anyone would want to become a Farrier without any horse experience? Believe me that I do know a few that are in the trade but their inexperience with animals ,makes them look foolish. I'm not trying to be rude, just wondering where your coming from ,on your way to where you want to be one day? Call Rick and see if you can ride with him, I bet he'd like having a gal around? Good Luck and I wish you the Best! Gary

[Skinfaxi]

Let's see. I own two horses. One for eight years the other for about two. I trained both of them. The first one was when I was 16 and it did not go well at first. As I got older and learned more, I have retrained him since then. The second is just fantastic. I have worked in a show barn for 8 months. I did everything as far as basic care for approx. 20 horses. I became friends with the trainer, and spend quite a bit of time with her while she worked. The barn owner and trainer had a 4yr old filly that was...not going well. She wasn't even under saddle. She had been flipped and driven into a panic more than once. A real space cadet. They let me give her a shot with the warning "Don't kill her and don't get killed." I had her undersaddle in about 30 hours.(of actual work. could have been sooner, but the trainer was leery of her.)

What I ment by not moving in horsey circles is that I don't show, I don't have any horse loving/owning friends to do things with, My family are not ranchers or farmers or horsemen. I'm like a fluke in my family and friends in that I love horses. I am quite capable of properly handling them and also had to correct a couple of dangerously spoiled horses at the barn. The only reason I'm not there now is personal issues regarding the owner of the place.

Horse people are nutz. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes not.

[Phil Armitage]

Let's see. I have own two horses. One for eight years the other for about two. I trained both of them. The first one was when I was 16 and it did not go well at first. As I got older and learned more, I have retrained him since then. The second is just fantastic. I have worked in a show barn for 8 months. I did everything as far as basic care for approx. 20 horses. I became friends with the trainer, and spend quite a bit of time with her while she worked. The barn owner and trainer had a 4yr old filly that was...not going well. She wasn't even under saddle. She had been flipped and driven into a panic more than once. A real space cadet. They let me give her a shot with the warning "Don't kill her and don't get killed." I had her undersaddle in about 30 hours.(of actual work. could have been sooner, but the trainer was leery of her.)

What I ment by not moving in horsey circles is that I don't show, I don't have any horse loving/owning friends to do things with, My family are not ranchers or farmers or horsemen. I'm like a fluke in my family and friends in that I love horses. I am quite capable of properly handling them and also had to correct a couple of dangerously spoiled horses at the barn. The only reason I'm not there now is personal issues regarding the owner of the place.

Horse people are nutz. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes not.

What Gary said is so important. If you do not have any experience around horses then spend this time now hanging around barns even if it is sweeping isle ways, mucking stalls, putting hay away, getting horses for riders, putting them in and out. It will help you big time.

[Skinfaxi]

I did that though, for eight months, 9-11 hours a day six days a week, plus feeding on Sunday(for $250 a wk) at that barn. Not counting when I spent time with the trainer and covered for her(just exersize/longline) with the in training show horses for a couple days, and rode her lesson horse for exersize whenit was slow. Is that not experience. I successfully trained a horse that the professional was struggling with. I went for a trail ride with a winning barrel racer that lives next to my parents. I took my older re-trained horse, and at the end of the ride she offered to buy him for her young son. I don't feel like handling is a problem for me.

I know what my problems are. People...well talking to them and being the way they want me too. Not good at that....

[Gary Hill]

You just need a little confidence in yourself! I can't imagine haveing to shoe horses in the Northern states during the winter! I lived in NJ for two years but I had a Million dollar barn that had heated concrete floors so I managed to be OK. Staying busy everyday is hard when your just getting into the business let alone going through the down time of harsh weather. Heck I'll admit I'm a candyass when it comes to cold weather even with my forge blowing like crazy, just too thin blooded I guess. ANYWAY surely the local farrier assn up there could point you to someone near you? Again maybe Rick will take you under his wing-just make him use deodorant! Good Luck! Gary

[Gary_Miller]

I cannot afford school, I havn't been able find a mentor without going to school.
I suggest you attend one of the farrier programs at a community college, such as Walla Walla in Washington. I think if you really check into it you will find that with all the funding avenues available it a whole lot easier to fund school than you think. There is so much education funding available out there with loans, grants, scholarships, and work study programs. That anyone who wants to go to school can. You just got to want it bad enough.


Gary

[Skinfaxi]

I have considered the option of taking a collage course. I just had MAJOR reservations about class size, one on one with the instructor and quality. I want to go to Shurshod. I emailed Max and he seems great. 6 to a class, and I can buy extra weeks to extend my training in any direction I need to. Then I was going to go to Heartland for the advanced and Journyman courses before my testing. That is my PLAN(< me being my anal retentive self) I may be forced to reconsider my PLAN, huh?

I called Rick once, and left a message. I guess he didn't get it, or he was having trouble or was busy or something cause he didn't call back. Everyone MUST call Rick(not really or he might add you to the list), just to hear his answering machine message. I had to stop and compose myself before I could leave a message.

Like I said, I was just very stressed when I posted that. You all have settled me down again. Thank you very much.

[Rick Burten]

Sarah

I must have missed your message. I live in Champaign and my service area covers a wide area. You're welcome to ride with me anytime, the house has an extra bedroom and we even have indoor plumbing.

Rick

[Jason Maki]

What about piped heat?
Jason

[wwhite1973]

Originally posted by Skinfaxi
Everyone MUST call Rick(not really or he might add you to the list), just to hear his answering machine message. I had to stop and compose myself before I could leave a message.

Rick it's great you have indoor plumbing, I am looking forward to having it someday but don't want to put "cessapol" out of business, BUT you have to share the answering machine message with us!! All those in favor say aye!

Wayne

[Phil Armitage]

Rick, I want to hear your message. I get a feeling it is a good one.

Well there you go Sarah, I do not know Rick personaly, but from what I have seen on this forum, I think you will get a good education. There is no doubt your buttons might be pushed, but hey that is an education also. Take what comes your way and as John Blombach says "The work will teach you"

Here is your chance for greatness. An ole timer once told me "Dare to be great"

[Red Amor]

Any beer in the fridge Rick

I'll be right there ;)
burp%$# bewdy

[Rick Burten]

Any beer in the fridge Rick

I'll be right there ;)
burp%$# bewdy

Always, and for you, I'll even stock some Fosters if thats what it takes to get you here!

[Rick Burten]

Rick, I want to hear your message. I get a feeling it is a good one.

Well, it goes like this:

Thanks for calling Tinkers Damn Forge!
Please select from the following menu:

If you're a salesman or telemarketer hang up now and DON'T EVER CALL BACK!

If you're calling to speak with our staff farrier about making an appointment, solving a problem or answereing a question, either wait for the beep and then speaking slowly and clearly, leave your name, telephone number and a brief message and he'll get back to you as soon as he can. Or, just press 1 now, and do the same thing.

If you're calling to leave a personal message for Rick, press 2 now

If you're calling to speak with Sumie(wife) or Kiko(daughter) press 3 now.

Thanks again for calling, and have a nice day.

My answering machine message used to say:
A little neglect can cause a lot of harm:

For want of a nail a shoe was lost
For want of a shoe a horse was lost
For want of a horse a rider was lost
For want of a rider a kingdom was lost

This is Rick and I'm out making sure no kingdoms are lost, so leave a message and like Sir Gallahad, I call you back to save your kingdom too. :D

There was also a time when I had a singing(well, it was music to MY ears) message. It included an actual anvil chorus. But thats fodder for a different cannon.

[Forgewizard]

Sarah,

Your post has been something for me to cogitate upon during drive time this week and I can offer this:

If you are trully inspired to become a farrier- you will become a farrier regardless of the obstacles in your way!

Perserverence comes from within, either ya got it or ya don't, period.

Looking back over the years at some difficult times while in business, I have preservered through all manner of hardships, and guesss what? I am still improving my clientele base, I have been doing farrier work full time now since '98 and am looking forward to many more years of this wonderful trade!

Excluding the personal hurdles of a wayward son trying to flex his independence enough to warrant all manner of family counseling and special programs and still ending up in a juvenile facility; and excluding the disintegration of a 7 year personal relationship because "he" couldn't handle the independence and the time investment my new trade was demanding of me; there were the environmental hurdles:

There was a freak 100 year storm that wrecked my home,which the meteorologists didn't label a hurricane or a tornado- but nevertheless the damage was just the same.

Then there was a summer long firestorm that engulfed the entire state of Florida in '98 (which was the year I actually went full time in this trade). The firestorm forced the evacuation on daily and weekly basis of entire counties, which made for really interesting scheduling as well as the time away from doing footwork to help in the evacuation of horses. One day as I traveled to a barn, I saw a smoke column about 10 miles distance from the highway, two hours later it had burned up to and even jumped that same highway! Another day I started out and couldn't proceed because the roads were closed. another day several other motorists and I were hemmed in by fires and had to sit tight for hours until the fire crews could clear an exit path! The fires started in April and finally were under control and on their way to being put out in August!

I'm sure the news of the recent hurricanes have travelled across country. While the four hurricanes two years ago were probably a "freak" happenstance. There was another one last year that affected my service area and two others prior to 2004. Seven hurricanes over the course of 10 years! Tornados seem inconsequential after the hurricanes, but there have been three that had a detrimental influence on my business.

My own horse has had an influence on my business when she came down with West Nile and needed daily intensive care for weeks. Her occassional colics and escapes have interupted my service calls too - but luckily most folks understand.

There have been a few health issues I overcame like two severe bouts of kidney stones. A sprained back. Bronchial pneumonia every year until 2004 when a new doctor diagnosed and began treating my Asthma brought on by literally being allergic to everyhting! (Doc said I ought to live in a bubble- I told Doc to get me some GOOD drugs as I was NOT about to quit what I enjoy doing), a broken neck( caused by a client's horse), gall bladder surgery, worked with an ingrown toe nail for 4 years because I was too chicken to get the Dr. to rip it out, last summer's tromple and resultant hematoma- which is ALMOST completely healed, and the most recent nail skewering of my calf.

Currently my Dad has been in the ICU for a week and I have had to rearrange schedules in order that I can visit with him.

Major mechanical hurdles overcome have thankfully been relatively few: A transmission in a 98 S-10 and full brake system rework. A rear axle seal (soon to be complete axle replacement) in my 99 Ranger. Normal maintenance and wear and tear don't count, but still leave you lacking in several days worth of income at times.

Being an absolute "Sole proprietor" without a "support team" at home to help out means that the farrier business is not just a job- it is my life! and I thoroughly enjoy it! You may have to determine if you are trying to just change jobs - or actually begin a new life! WHile many farriers are out there doing this a s a part time- beer money only - paying hobby - you have to determine what you want from this business for yourself!

So I guess what it all boils down to, is how serious you reallly really are about becoming successful! While businesses in the trades don't get up to full steam overnight. There are ways to market yourself and improve your clientele as well as your exposure to the market without a HUGE outlay of cash. Mostly time investment is necessary. They can't call who they don't know! You have to be seen! Go to horse club meetings, frequent feed stores, check with your local coperative extension office, contact local 4-H and FFA chapters, frequent horseshoe grounds and start playing on your anvil - you do have an anvil don't you? Make up some flyers, hand them out, talk to people - DON'T be shy! Do some cold mailings to prospect for clients by driving down a raod and noting the addresses of houses with horses, then drop them a postcard advertising your services. I did just that and got a 4% ccall back on my mail outs! Some of those folks I am still doing today!

Don't take it personal when a client drops you for someone else. Keep shopping yourself for your ideal clients!

But if you are willing to throw in the towel this soon- then maybe you aren't cut out to be a farrier and need to look into another horse care position that may suit you better.

regards,
Kim

[Phantom Farrier]

Sarah,
Life is full of twists and turns and quite honestly i'm still not sure I know what I want to be when I grow up. Try to stay in today and work on those things you really have control over in your life.

Some days I am overwhelmed and just have to have lots of acceptance of things I cannot change.

You seem to have the willingness to participate in your own learning of the trade. Stick to it and loose your reluctance and you will suceed admirably. Good luck.

Phantom :)

[Jason Maki]

Paraphrased: Pick a direction, put your head down, suck it up and press on! If it was easy, they would let girls do it! As a boy, I just fell into a 250 horse, six figure business... ;)
Jason

[Skinfaxi]

To all who tell me to just bull it out. I know you are right. I have known all along that this was a 24/7 thing not a 9-5 or weekend thing. I don't want it to be. I love it enough to want to never do or think of anything else(except those forced vacations). I am fine with the hardships and potential for crippling injury(strange thing to be comfortable with..hehe.) There are still times that certain things in a persons life, cause a "will be" farrier to pause for a moment. To consider and reconsider the changes that going on with it will require.

I may have to change my plans and go to a collage for my initial formal education weather or not I want to. There are people in my life that mean alot to me, and are verbally supportive. However, when it comes to financial/time investment, try(subconciously? or I just let them/think they do)to ease me away from what I want. I,at this time, may be allowing others to influence me too much. I have been doing for others for so long, it is going to be a gradual adjustment to doing what I need. Some times I think that if I just threw away eveything around me it would be FAR easier for me. That may be true, but it can be a hard thing to do. Harder than giving up, harder than the rank horse you were just under. Hard things are done, but sometimes they take time.

Forgewizard: I do not have an anvil. I neither require one just now, as I am merely trimming, or have the funds to run out an buy one. When I can get one I will. I will have one before I start shoeing school, I know I will need TONS of forge time before hammering on a hoof. I am building a forge and have a length of RR track to hammer around on. Not the best for learning to shape, but better than nothing.


Jason Maki: Just so you know, they DO let girls do it ;). And good for you :P.*chuckles*

[Jaye Perry]

......

Forgewizard: I do not have an anvil. I neither require one just now, as I am merely trimming, or have the funds to run out an buy one. When I can get one I will. I will have one before I start shoeing school, I know I will need TONS of forge time before hammering on a hoof. I am building a forge and have a length of RR track to hammer around on. Not the best for learning to shape, but better than nothing.


......*

Many moons ago, when I started there was a man who shod his own horses. That's all he did. I told him I would shoe his horses for the use of his tools-

I started with nothing, but when I was able to afford my own tools I replaced or had sharpened or re-tooled the man's borrowed tools.

What goes around comes around-
1 anivil
1 anvil stand
1 forge
1 set of tongs
1 set of complete set hand tools
1 book on business
supplies to get you started.

Just send them back in the same or better condition when you can afford to.

[J.H. shoeing]

Jaye

That's good. We have been passing around an old Jim Poor clipping hammer here and I think it is someplace north of Dallas now. We gave instruction to pass it on accordingly.

Jeff

[SlowShoe]

I started with nothing, but when I was able to afford my own tools I replaced or had sharpened or re-tooled the man's borrowed tools.

I too had the same experiance fortunatly.. The man was my dad. Im still useing his nippers as a matter of fact (someone cut wire with mine as you may recall from a thread a while back) =] In fact a good freind in town still throws me stuff when I break somthing or run out of stock. Most farriers are really great about helping each other out.. I've only met one farrier who hates everybody around him who shoes (thinks they are all out to steal his business), and even he gave me a duval pad cutter. so I think that says a lot about the people in the profession..

Thats a very good thing.. I wish I was in the position to lend tools out to trusted individuals starting in the trade. I plan to lend my time out helping a girl in CT getting her truck together however.

Red said this can be a thankless profession. I have to agree at times. But 9 outa 10 times I think this is such a rewarding profession... Seeing lame horses go off sound, happy owners. People complimenting your work, and just knowing your doing something great. Not to mention some days you make more than a lot of people do in a week. Then you relize you have to chase it with expenses..

Still I say everyday how I am very proud to be doing this.Think when your out there at a barn on a beutiful day forging a shoe, trimming, nailing, whatever and some kid (and a lot of times the adults too) is standing there in amazment... Think that some poor shmuck is sitting in an office biting his nails becuase he didnt put the the new cover letter on his TPS reports. =]

I love this life.

Dont give up, you'll be so happy you never did everytime see someone flippin burgers.

Sure its not all sunshine, clean isles, and happieness. Its a lot of wet mud and frustration as well. But at the end of the day you still feel so good with what you've acomplished.

Josh

[Skinfaxi]

Think that some poor shmuck is sitting in an office biting his nails becuase he didnt put the the new cover letter on his TPS reports. =]

I love this life.

Dont give up, you'll be so happy you never did everytime see someone flippin burgers.

This reminder inspires me. I hate the factory I work in, and this is an honorable and satisfying way out. I'm calling Rick tomorrow, and I just e-mailed another localish AFA member, John Voigt. Tomorrow I am going out to get me a new pair of boots and that pair of nippers I need so much. I'm done with never getting the things I need so that others can have the things they want.

[Forgewizard]

I'm done with never getting the things I need so that others can have the things they want.


Now THAT'S the ticket!

You go girl! Don't let anything stand in your way!

You know that saying that "God never gives you more than you can handle."? Well, I look at it like this: "god must have an awfule lot of faith in me - because he sure challenges me!" I do soooo love a challenge! :)

You will do whatever you set your mind to do.

Regards,
Kim

[Bill Adams]

Sarah,
The very next thing you should do is fall on your knees and thank the Lord for people like the folks here who are willing to help you out with tools and time. You just got an oppertunity most just dream of.
I sent most of my extra tools to someone, but I have to clean out a shed and will look for something you can use.
Reading this thread made me think about the wack I got last summer that kept me down for six weeks. Never thought of do something else, in fact I got in a bunch of trouble for finishing up the horses with my son befor I called the wife.
The only time I consider changing jobs is once in a while thinking about track shoeing, but I get it out of my system quick.

Kim,
How can someone as tough as you put on those funny colored shoes? Will remember your Dad in our prayers.
Bill

[Douglas_Armstrong]

SlowShoe

"MMMM..YEAH. YOU SEE, WE'RE PUTTING THE COVERSHEETS ON ALL TPS REPORTS NOW BEFORE THEY GO OUT. DID YOU SEE THE MEMO ABOUT THIS?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I've got the memo right here, but, uh, uh, I just
forgot. But, uh, it's not shipping out until tomorrow, so there's no
problem.

yeeeahh, If you could just go ahead and make sure you do that from now on,
that will be great. And Uh, I'll go ahead and make sure you get another
copy of that memo Mmmm, Ok?"

Been there, never ever go'n back....



Doug
"what would you do with a million bucks?"

[Mike Ferrara]

This thread reminds me of what I had when I first started...tools on loan from my teacher that I piled in the back of my 1980 Chevette which was also my first new car. I also used his shop because I lived in an apartment.

I used his tools until he figured that I had enough work that I should be able to buy my own and then he gave me notice. I got off my butt and went out and baught my own...and he was right, I could afford it.

I wore my first set of nippers down to nothing and eventually had to replace them. I had to replace my clinchers because they disappeared out of my in-laws barn. I still have many of my original tools though.

I gave away my first gas forge but my coal forge, anvil stand and a box full of punches and other odds and ends disappeared from a clients barn where I had a little shop set up. I'm 99% sure that I know who took the stuff...another farrier who was in and out of there after I moved out of town...but the joke is on him. If he needed the stuff that bad, he's welcome to it and all he needed to do was ask. He didn't ask though, so he's a snake and we all know it so he traded off his honor pretty cheap.

I doesn't seem like it when you're first starting but this is a pretty low capitol business as far as what you absolutely have to have to get started. A few hundred bucks will get you enough shiny new tools and stock to get a few shoes fit and nailed on. Comapare that to something like the dive shop I used to own where I had 30K or so cash in it before I ever opened the doors and the show room was still mostly empty. Mind you that was just the bare essentials and I dumped that much in several times again over the next few years and I still walked away with nothing in my pockets but bills. Then of course there was the engineering gig where my education cost me that much and it took me 15 years to pay for.

This is a great trade in lots of ways, not the least of which, is the low overhead and the freedom we have. So what if the work is a little on the hard side? I have yet to find a way to get someone to pay me very much for something that was easy.

[Skinfaxi]

Bill, I already have. I am amazed at the brotherhood of farriers, even the apparent "bad ones." This attitude is so rare and precious these days, it is one of the things that has kept me settled, focused, and less afraid.I will be eternally indebted to the people who have been so kind, supportive, and helpful. I want everyone to know just how much it means to me. I only hope that one day I get the chance to return the favor. I would like to meet everyone one day so that I might thank them in person, and if I play my cards right and work hard I will be able to. That is a day I look forward to, more than the six-figure dream.

Thank you everyone, you don't know how much this means to me(or maybe you do)

(EDIT) I wasn't sure. Was Jaye offering to borrow me some of his tools? It didn't register until I read Bill's post and reread Jaye's. (let me stop crying...)

I don't know what to say. No one has ever shown me such kindness. I just...Thank you(that isn't enough to express, but it's all I can say)

[cowboy_bc]

Hi all,

It's sounding like everyone started out the same way. I had a farrier beat up my precious mare and that was the day I decided I would learn to shoe my own horses so I bought Butlers book and started shoeing. I did watch a lot of farriers before that and I always had been a hands on guy. I laugh when I think of those early days when I nailed hind shoes on with the leg between my knees cuz I didn't know any better, good thing it was my own horse. It wasn't long after I started playing at shoe making with a forge I made myself and I used all those early shoes to make a coat rack so I get reminded of those early days everytime I hang up my coat in my shop. When I started I had a peice of track I welded to a sort of an a frame stand I used because the anvil I had weighs 300lb's. I did build my own gas forge and they are not too tough but a practice forge can be a simple as a piece of asbestuse pipe with a brick in it and a tiger torch for heat. With a little inginuity you can make some usefull things shown is a jack I made to fit a hitch receiver for use when I'm out riding and need to fix a shoe. I have plans for a wooded floor box. folding anvil stand and forge just e mail me.

Ok

[SlowShoe]

SlowShoe
"what would you do with a million bucks?"

"i'd tell ya what I'd do if i had a million bucks..."


=]

[Jaye Perry]

I want everyone to know just how much it means to me. I only hope that one day I get the chance to return the favor.
That's what I meant- "What goes around comes around."





....... That is a day I look forward to, more than the six-figure dream.
Work hard to learn the skills; That just doesn't mean banging around some metal. It is an all encompassing job. Other skills in this job include learning to handle horses, people and money

...
(EDIT) I wasn't sure. Was Jaye offering to borrow me some of his tools? It didn't register until I read Bill's post and reread Jaye's. (let me stop crying...)
No need to fret, just give me a shipping address and some time to gather the items to be shipped.

When Mr. Buerton has had his way with ya, I'll fly ya down and you can work/learn some more.

Jaye

[Red Amor]

Tell ya what
you pair a bastards are all right , ya know that

Good on ya mate ay ;)

[Jaye Perry]

Tell ya what
you pair a bastards are all right , ya know that

Good on ya mate ay ;)
When it's July down under- Winter- you have an open invitation to come to HOT'Lanta RED.

I promise, It will be good on Ya Mate!!!:D

[Ben-Sturman]

Sarah, you will find this bunch of men and women to be more than helpful. They may bicker and argue or disagree on here about different subjects, but when the chips are down for someone andthat person needs help, these people really step up and show what a good and wonderful and honorable profession this is. It was no surprise to me when Jaye made the offer he did. I had a feeling something of that nature would happen. These people are great.

When my truck was stolen and I lost everything many of the people here sent me tools and supplies and comfort at a time when I was devastated. Without there help I may not have made it through, I may have been out of the shoeing business, but with there generous help I made it through just fine. Some day, hopefully sooner than later, I will be in a position to offer the same kind of help to some one else and repay my debt to the profession if not to some of these people specifically. All I can say to them still and over and over again is thank you. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. Sarah, just remember what Jaye said, "What comes around goes around", when you get the chance, pay it forward. ;)

Ben

[Phil Armitage]

It is neat that the title of this thread started out called "I give" in the negative note and ended on a positive one.

[Skinfaxi]

I just want to say that I reread this thread, and at the end found myself unable to express how wonderful all of you really are. I greatly appreciate the physical gifts and opportunities you have presented me, but even without those things you reminded me of what was important and gave me faith in myself and in people in general. Something that I cannot say I have always had. From now on I will not try, I will do. Never have I met a more open, thoughtful and helpful group. The way I think has been changed and I only hope to grow up to be just the way you all are. I am awestruck.

Oh and I meekly noticed that too Phil... :)

[Red Amor]

Thank ya Jaye
Id bloodywel luv ta come over there sometime ;)

[Skinfaxi]

As a final note, I went up to spend the day with Rick yesterday. It was great. He makes it look too easy! I know it is not. I know I have thanked everyone profusely, but thank you Rick. I had a great time, and as difficult as it can be for a million reasons, I want this bad. You are a good teacher, and I would like to work with you in the future, even if it were just for a short time.

[Jaye Perry]

Thank ya Jaye
Id bloodywel luv ta come over there sometime ;)


Just tell me where ya fly out of, Sidney, we will make it happen.

Jaye

[Jason Maki]

Sarah,
Go play with Uncle Jaye! You will see more stuff in a day than you will see in a year on your own. A word of advice: When you get to his house do not mention "PIpes" "Rats" "Cookies"(spelled CARROT) or "Outside". You will cause a stampede! :D
Jason
Once you go, you'll no longer think I'm crazy! Jaye harbors a "sleeper"(or is that 'sleeping') cell Of Parson Russell Terrorists!

[Skinfaxi]

I would love too. I work full time so it'll take finagling and proper timing, but as soon I am able I will make the trip if he still wants me :D . Sounds like it is a good thing I love dogs!

[CordesShoeing]

Wow, I would just like to say that just being in the same profession as you guys makes me feel proud. If I was not just starting out myself trying to s**** together enough money for a truck/trailer I would help you out too. Once I am fully up and running I plan on helping anyone starting out that I can, its is a hard job to start and takes a certain kind of person. Also once I am up and running and have many years behind me I plan on having new farriers ride with me to teach them all I can, so they will be better at it and with the horses.

[Redd Mcintyre]

Hey Sarah,
I know how you felt. A year ago I had the dream thought of becoming a farrier. I was fortunate to find a farrier who would let me ride with him a couple days of the week. I still ride with at least 2 days a week and a full week in the spring and summer during my vacations from my hated job of a restaurant manager. He started paying me after i learned to finish for him with smooth and very neat clinches and unloading and loading at each stop. each week i put those dollars back into tools. Well now i have the tools needed but still working on the knowledge to master all of them. This winter I finally got to 20 trim clients and just this week i picked up a barn with 10 horses all trims and my master is giving me 5 resets that he will supervise. Im sorta glad for slow growtth so I can grow with it
Your business WILL Grow with you keep your chin up :D Spring is almost here!!
Redd Mcintyre

[Skinfaxi]

Thanks Redd,
I know! I'm getting excited again! I must spend more time at feed stores and the like. I am going to attend shows and take my cards with me everywhere.

[Dave Purves]

Sarah, I don't know how Rick feels about this (or Ricks wife, mine wouldn't be so hot on me helping out a young female), but I would stick in his back pocket if he'll let you. Especially if he's close to home (within a couple hours drive).

I don't know how far Dayton Oh. is from you but you're more than welcome to come my way for a day or two.

Dave

[Rick Burten]

Sarah, I don't know how Rick feels about this (or Ricks wife, mine wouldn't be so hot on me helping out a young female), but I would stick in his back pocket if he'll let you. Especially if he's close to home (within a couple hours drive).
Dave
Sarah and/or anyone else who so desires is always welcome in my home and with me on the job.

There is a spare bedroom, unlimited hot water and clean linens, and you'll never push away from my table with hunger in you belly. If , after all these years,my wife doesn't trust me to behave professionally, ethically and morally. then since there is no anchor tied to her butt, I suppose she needs to take a hike.

[Skinfaxi]

Oh cool! Well, like I have said, as long as I have to work a full time job, my time is drasticly limited. I should be able to come up once a month, maybe twice though. If my mates tuckpointing biz does well, or I get some work, I should be able to switch to part-time and spend more time with a mentor.

I guess I'll just call you in advance then Rick? I would be happy to meet your wife and daughter too. Hey, my mate is (99.99%) OK with me taking off to spend the day with a man/men that I have a major similar interest with. It goes both ways.

[Mike Ferrara]

Oh cool! Well, like I have said, as long as I have to work a full time job, my time is drasticly limited. I should be able to come up once a month, maybe twice though. If my mates tuckpointing biz does well, or I get some work, I should be able to switch to part-time and spend more time with a mentor.

I guess I'll just call you in advance then Rick? I would be happy to meet your wife and daughter too. Hey, my mate is (99.99%) OK with me taking off to spend the day with a man/men that I have a major similar interest with. It goes both ways.

Working and even traveling with members of the apposite gender is just a fact of life for many people. Besides, you'll have all sorts of clients so it's not like you'll be working in a vacuum.

Ricks offer is a good oportunity. In fact, my wife keeps talking like she'd like to learn a little about shoeing so she can go on the road and work with me. After reading this I'm thinking about sending her to Rick for a while. LOL

[Rick Burten]

Ricks offer is a good oportunity. In fact, my wife keeps talking like she'd like to learn a little about shoeing so she can go on the road and work with me. After reading this I'm thinking about sending her to Rick for a while. LOL
Only if you take mine as a hostage!