Stop shoeing or not?

[Rick Sweitzer]

After seeing my MRI today decided not to shoe anymore, maybe trim when I heal up,maybe.So now I put some of my shoeing gear up for sale and need to look for a job.
A job other than shoeing after 30 years as a farrier? The whole thing seems unreal............................................ ............................and today it snowed to add to the mix.......winters coming.

[Ray_Knightley]

Originally Posted by Rick Sweitzer

After seeing my MRI today decided not to shoe anymore, maybe trim when I heal up,maybe.So now I put some of my shoeing gear up for sale and need to look for a job.
A job other than shoeing after 30 years as a farrier? The whole thing seems unreal............................................ ............................and today it snowed to add to the mix.......winters coming.

MAN OH Man that hits you hard!!!

Hope this does not sound too corny ...
But when points in life things come to an end,It is only sure the start of something New!!!!
Take care of yourself and get well!!!!

[Red Amor]

Rick
After thirty years in the game yourve earnt a bit of RnR
take some if you can olson yeah
Remember to that youve made a lot of lovely loyal friends in those thirty and you might be serprised the doors those people open up for you , put the word out your looking to change careers

I do hope you stick around on these forums Rick and maybe you can stay in or join up local Farriers association or Farriers school n teach after all your have so very much to give
I wish you very well mate yeah

[mustang farrier service]

Hi Rick, I was a little harsh in my earlier post and I apologize. I just didnt want you to give up without a fight. I sincerely wish you all the best.-Gary

[Rick Sweitzer]

I had my second steroid injection in the spine for pain, not too bad if you ever need it done, I am mostly pain free if I stay put and just hang around the house. Driving , lifting things or walking on uneven ground isnt good,its painful.My neck feels like a piece of china that has been glued back together.You dont know what might bust it again and put you back in chronic pain.
So long story short I have to continue to mend. The docs cant tell me if I will ever be good enough to shoe or trim. You all know how you get a sore neck or back and take it easy a fews days then go back to work......I still feel that way but dont know if a month two months or six months or year will heal me up. Gotta make a decision at some point to tell the customers if I will be back or not.

One other observation for you guys and gals.......I have looked in to creating a resume in case I cant be a farrier anymore. Well when I went to fill out the job resumes I realized what the heck do you have to write in it after 30 years self employed? I never had a backup plan,get one if you can,educate yourself and prepare you never know.Bills startin to stack up. We have cut back alot but may have to look in to selling the house.

Thanks again for your advice and caring thoughts its appreciated. Rick Sweitzer

[Matt McMicken]

Sounds mighty rough Rick, I hope things work out for you and yours. I may be out of line, but have ever thought of running a farrier supply store? Seems you would have the knowledge and ability for it, and it wouldnt be as hard on youre back. Maybe not an option, I dont know, just a thought that ran across my mind. Hope thngs work out for you.

[Rick Sweitzer]

I looked in to a farrier store however the capital up front would be huge........more than I could ever swing. I wish I could somehow link up with farrier supply companies as far as being a rep.So far no one has contacted me back,I guess you need to know someone in the business.................oh well.

[DavidinGA]

Rick,

I know this is not exactly what you are going to want to hear but, maybe it will help you.

I have two friends ( they got married about two years ago) who have both ran their own businesses for most of their adult lives ( they are mid forties so we're talking 20-25 yrs working for themselves), since their marriage they have both decided to go back to working for someone instead of themselves. One hard lesson that they learned is that no one would hire them. It turns out people are intimidated by folks who have ran their own businesses. Both my friends had to take an entry level job, not even in their field, just so they could get a good work reference. The good news is that within months of getting the entry level jobs they were both hired into jobs that were more suited to their needs.

My suggestion is that while you can still afford to do so, try to get hired at McDonalds or something comparable to what a 16 yr old would be doing. Keep continously looking for a better job but use that job to get a good work reference. People who are hiring looking for, works well with others, takes ( appropriate ) initiative and takes orders/directions well. The initiative can be a double edged sword for people who are used to having the whole business depend on them, that's why it has to be appropriate.

Like I said, I know this is not what you want to hear but I sincerely hope it will help you.

David

[Gary_Miller]

Originally Posted by Rick Sweitzer

I looked in to a farrier store however the capital up front would be huge........more than I could ever swing. I wish I could somehow link up with farrier supply companies as far as being a rep.So far no one has contacted me back,I guess you need to know someone in the business.................oh well.

Rick, if you think a Farrier Supply Store would be good for your area. You might look into getting a small business loan for start up. Also depending on where you live you maybe able to set it up in your garage or another outbuilding on your property. That way you won't have the cost of a facility and if it goes good then you could move it if need be.

As for your resume sit down and just brain storm about what you do. You there is lots of things we do a farriers that relate to other jobs.

Before you sell your house remember you have to live somewhere and you may as well have a house payment instead of paying rent. Talk to your mortgage company maybe you could refinance at a lower payment for longer years. You may as well be paying your own mortgage than someone else's.

Good luck, and take care of yourself.

[Rick Sweitzer]

After almost 6 months of healing I am able to trim again.........no more shoeing.
The bad part is almost 80% of my business is gone.......not enough to pay the bills and trying to find a job has been impossible.When you are self employed for 30 years and try to submit a resume there isn't much to put on it.

[Mike Ferrara]

Rick,

I started as a farrier and that's what I'm doing again but I've done other things along the way.

Don't just look for a job. Sure you have to pay the bills and get by but think about what else you might really enjoy. Consider learning something new. Maybe even check out your local Jr college.

You might check around your area and see what programs are available for displaced workers. I've been through all that and I never got much out of it but I already had a plan...it was to go back to shoeing full time LOL Anyway, you might be able to get some help putting a resume together and planning your next career.

Good luck.

[ladyblacksmith]

Originally Posted by Rick Sweitzer

After almost 6 months of healing I am able to trim again.........no more shoeing.
The bad part is almost 80% of my business is gone.......not enough to pay the bills and trying to find a job has been impossible.When you are self employed for 30 years and try to submit a resume there isn't much to put on it.

theres money to made in trimming alone, and the woman BUA do it all the time....@ $60 a trim

just have to get out there to all of your old clients and see if they have friends who just need their horses trimmed only. Also, see if you can go and work for a vet on pulling shoes for x-rays and trim up horses after a pre-purchase exam; ect. consultation services on whether a horse needs to be in shoes or trimmed and charge for your expertise.
just some ideas.......linda

[horseshoeinpreacher]

Rick, Sorry to hear about your pain. I am a retired Rodeo clown, in 1990 I had a bull stick a horn in my back and damaged c5. Then in 96 I herniated a disc in C4 and C5. I had surgery for the bulging disc. With proper exercise I was able to go back to shoein. Then in 2004 I had a stroke and passed out, fell underneath the horse. I now have a plate in my head where a big whole once was. I was at home on home health. I was told I would never be able to shoe another horse again. Home three days and caught my wife gone, grabbed my walker and went to the barn and trimmed two horses. I don't shoe as many as I used to. I am picky about the ones I do work on. I limit myself to just a few a day, and it has worked out really good for me. I don't know if you are a man of faith,But prayer works really great. I am LIVING PROOF. Best of luck and hope you are feeling better soon. I will keep you in my prayers. Rick Legg HorseshoinPreacher

[Phil Armitage]

Originally Posted by horseshoeinpreacher

Rick, Sorry to hear about your pain. I am a retired Rodeo clown, in 1990 I had a bull stick a horn in my back and damaged c5. Then in 96 I herniated a disc in C4 and C5. I had surgery for the bulging disc. With proper exercise I was able to go back to shoein. Then in 2004 I had a stroke and passed out, fell underneath the horse. I now have a plate in my head where a big whole once was. I was at home on home health. I was told I would never be able to shoe another horse again. Home three days and caught my wife gone, grabbed my walker and went to the barn and trimmed two horses. I don't shoe as many as I used to. I am picky about the ones I do work on. I limit myself to just a few a day, and it has worked out really good for me. I don't know if you are a man of faith,But prayer works really great. I am LIVING PROOF. Best of luck and hope you are feeling better soon. I will keep you in my prayers. Rick Legg HorseshoinPreacher

Nothing can stop a person with that much passion.

[Rick Burten]

Originally Posted by Phil Armitage

Nothing can stop a person with that much passion.

This can.
http://www.ssp25.com/images/usmc/gal...ss%20small.jpg