EDeSocio wrote:

I find it funny what some people will claim is the reason for loosing clients, or not being able to afford to keep thier horses.

SlowShoe wrote:This the stuff you refer to Josh?
http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd338.htm
George

EDeSocio wrote:
I really don't get all the whining......

Sure, I get pizzed over 3+ buck fuel, heating costs doubled, supplies going up, etc. , BUT...... I had the best $ year EVER in 2007 and January just came it 22% AHEAD of last year! ( I am talking net dollars to pocket... the only number that matters). Am I SPENDING a bunch more money for certain individual items than just a year or so ago?? Sure I am, just like everyone else. But revenue growth has exceeded the growth of total expenses so what does it matter?

Sure, I pay attention to things that I didn't much care about before.. I tightened up my daily scheduling geographically. I reduced the size of my overall territory by eliminating little outlying pockets of horses that became a huge cost gobbler if the schedule didn't stay "on track". I traded them for more horses within areas closer to home. It meant having to give up some pretty good clients, as you know they do become friends....

I think someone on here is always beating the drum "Manage your business don't let it manage you", or something of the sort... it is about as simple as that.

Dave

Come on guys...nobody answered my question...

Did you go? Was attendence low? how were classes? I didn't get to go but i'd like to know if I missed anything good?!?! I am going to Lexington AFA Convention for the first time and what to learn all I can.

Jaye, who is the handsome bay horse in your picture? Sarah

I posted my experience at this years summit in General discussions.
Tex Mex take a look at it from a 1rst time goer's view.
I describe my trip and all I encountered.

Josh, I wish you had been there also. We will meet at one event down the road I am sure.

The Summit...I went a couple of year ago and wasn't impressed especially considering the time and cost involved. After seeing this years lineup of presenters, I kind of wish I had attended.

The econemy...For the most part, I have the same accounts I had two years ago but there are fewer horses and more of them are barefoot. It isn't because of any barefoot movement but because even owners with money who pay in excess of $400/month for board, are tightening their belts.

To put some numbers to it, I have 30 horse accounts that are down to 20 horses. At one time, most were shod but now most are barefoot. Rather than shoeing for winter riding and/or training they're pulling the shoes, turning the horses out and doing something else with the money. They're even stretching out the trim cycles and doing that less often. The same account that used to be very profitable almost isn't worth the trip.

I've talked to quite a few farriers who are noticing the same thing. It probably hits me a little harder because I've only been back to shoeing full time for a couple of years and I don't have the client base that they do.

Thank you Jaye for reminding me that some of the readers are reading at a 2nd grade level... I will clarify for those who need me to explain it like you are a two year old.

When I said "Now still farriers are claiming to be busy and turning down clients and in the same breath asking me to give them clients I am turning down..."

What I meant, I talk to farriers and ask them how they are doing. They answer me, "I am so busy I am turning down clients, by the way, are you turning down clients? If so will you give them my number?"

Meaning they are asking me to give them the clients that I turn down. Never did I say I was turning down clients.

EDeSocio wrote:
Keep it up and you will be up to 5000 posts and making a trip to Atlanta. Might be the best education you will ever get in this trade and this is how it starts. Typical side effects are deep thinking, confusion, trying things you wish you never started, ulcers and high blood pressure, however these things do go away over time.

EDeSocio;93538 wrote:

Boy AZ sounds like a tough place to shoe! Or maybe only tough for hacks...hmm.

PerformanceHorseshoeing wrote:
Hmmmmmmm! Wasn't it you that posted: No foot groath on the inside...

Your litearry terminology has~~ and is hard to decifer at times,but you as a newbie get a Mulligan:D

Most media is written at 8th grade reading level; did EDDEE make it pass
2nd grade?

Don't jump if you don't know how deep it is:D:eek::cool:

Eddee?????

Doesn't count because that was my horse! I only am a hack 50% of the time not the full 100%

George Geist wrote:
Pretty much George.. All i can say is people better convert a good portion of their money out of dollars into something stable (IE: gold/silver) asap.