Western Hill Forge wrote:Mike, I posted that picture because it obviously met the owners, and therefore your standard. You know, the person paying the bill. Personally, I think it is indefensible.
We don't have to defend it because it isn't any of our business.
I don't think your stated standard - "whatever the person paying the bill wants" - is acceptable on many different levels. I don't really believe it is acceptable to you either.
A lot of people do all sorts of things that are unacceptable to me. Maybe I should just seize control of everything?...or I could just leave the next guy alone to do what he thinks is best.
Actually, I would like things to pretty much stay as they are in the farrier business as far as regulation and standards, but I'm afraid that's not going to be the case. With regulation comes standards. This thread and the AVMA one are evidence of that. I know that licensing has been discussed on here ad nauseum, but it's starting to look inevitable.
Your attitude seems to be stick your head in the sand, 'cause everything is just fine, the market will work it out, and just let 'em try to get by without us. I don't think that's much of a solution to the big issue - non-farriers trying to take over the business.
Regards
We have a very small minority of farriers represented on this board or even in the AFA. I think the AMVA opinions probable represent a small percentage of vets too. None of the vest I come in contact with try to tell me how to shoe a horse and they sure don't seem to want to do any shoeing.
I don't think we should stick our head in the sand but don't give the small minority of trouble makers any of what they want. Don't give them any help.
IMO getting involved with any of these people in any of their hair brained ideas for regulation, organizations or any of this nonsense is just playing into their hands. It just gives them legitimacy. Just tell them to go suck an egg.