ARCHIVE - Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF)

April 2008 - Forge Magazine

 

Archive - Forge Magazine - April 2008
Start as you mean to go on - by Wayne Upton AFCL

A one-day forum – building a successful business – aimed at newly qualified farriers was held at Stoneleigh, on November 1, 2007, organised by the Worshipful Company of Farriers. Wayne Upton, a farrier from Haywards Heath in Sussex, discussed starting up as a newly qualified farrier

Where to start?
Think about the type of practice you want to run, the type of horses you would like to work with, the location you want to be in, your aims and ambitions and the standard of life and income you aspire to (be realistic).
The type of practice
What type of horses do you want to shoe and what type of shoeing do you want to do? Do you want to work towards being able to carry out therapeutic shoeing and, in time, work to achieve higher qualifications, such as the Associateship and, ultimately, Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (the AWCF cannot be attempted for two years after the diploma was achieved and a further one year for the FWCF). Do you want to include other skills in your business, for example, blacksmithing?
Have you thought about working abroad? After all, British qualifications through the WCF are highly sought after the world over. Finally, it might seem a strange thing to think about having just qualified, but how long do you want to shoe for? Think about your retirement.
Location
There is a limitation as to where you can practise farriery when you have just qualified. According to the FRC Guide of Professional Conduct you cannot set up your practice in direct competition with your master. It may seem an easy option to set up where you were trained, but where are your family and friends? Where would you like to live? Do your homework; some areas have a real shortage of farriers. Think about speaking to the Worshipful Company of Farriers and the Farriery Training Agency as they can advise where these shortages are. However, discuss your options with your former master. He should be able to help with some sound advice and there may be a possibility of doing your higher qualifications while still working with him.
Aims and ambitions
Above all else, be the best you can. Set yourself high standards (think about the gaining the AWCF or FWCF) and build a reputation for yourself. Horse owners recognise quality shoeing. Think about how you treat your client and your clients’ horses and conduct yourself properly. Punctuality and appearance are important. Don’t become complacent. Learn to be your own critic (you are only as good as your last job). Always strive to do better – be consistent – and try and develop a really good rapport with your clients. They can become very good friends. Do you want to buy a house or forge or both? When would you want to buy? Do you want to start a family? Do you want to be an ATF?
Right at the start decide what hours you would like to work. Are you going to work weekends, four days a week or every hour that God made? Remember, whatever you decide to do, people will expect you to be consistent. Construct your business to suit yourself. You may be surprised to learn that I don’t have a mobile phone. I choose to spend time in the office morning and evening, picking up and making phone calls for appointments. I feel this is the most efficient way to run my business. I keep a well organised diary and it gives me a chance to think before I make my calls.
Pricing
Look at the market value. Market value could dictate profits. Find out what local farriers charged. Seriously think about becoming VAT registered. Think about your future. Do you think that you will want to be shoeing horses at the age of 65, and will you physically be capable at that age? Think pensions. Shoeing tends to be seasonal in some areas and some farriers may find themselves particularly busy during the summer months but with the same client base a lot quieter in the winter. Be careful not to take on too much extra work in the quiet times or you could end up letting people down when you become busy again. Make sure you are busy enough at quiet times to pay your bills, you will make your profits during the busier times.
Communication
Communicate with colleagues. Don’t be just a name and a potential threat, introduce yourself to other farriers and veterinary surgeons in the area. Communicate with local horse people and local horse feed merchants. All could help a new business. Keep your communications with NAFBAE. Continue your membership and take advantage of special rates of insurance as well as a range of other benefits. Make CPD a priority. Final thoughts ­– one of my favourite sayings is, ‘if your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt’, to which I would add, ‘if you want to be a professional, act professionally’.

 

Archive - Forge Magazine - April 2008
John Hughes is 'ATF of the Year 2007'

 

At the Diploma Presentation Ceremony, the winner of the Farriery Training Agency (FTA)’s prestigious
‘Approved Training Farrier of the Year’ was announced.

 

The ATF of the Year Award has been running for three years, although the competition was administered slightly differently this year. The colleges were asked to nominate two ATFs that had apprentices finishing during 2007. The previous apprentices then submitted nomination forms for their individual ATFs. The Field Officers for each ATF also had a significant input.
A panel of judges, independent from the FTA, was looking for a variety of qualities such as how the ATF prepared his apprentice for the ‘real world’ of farriery; the professional and business skills and values he passed on; how he helped his apprentice overcome any kinds of difficulties, and if he inspired his apprentice to consider becoming an ATF in due course.
The nominations for the award were of an exceptionally high standard, but Mr Hughes stood out as the winner. His previous apprentice said, ‘I would not have changed my apprenticeship and could not have had a better boss. He is pleasure to work for and I would recommend him as an ATF.’
On receiving the award, Mr Hughes said that he was thrilled and delighted to have received this award. ‘This Award is a great idea and hopefully will encourage excellence throughout the industry. The most rewarding thing about being an ATF is having an input as someone develops into a professional person and a craftsperson who will achieve great things. I cannot take all of the credit because I run the business in partnership with my son, Mr C. W. Hughes, DipWCF, and my wife – together we support all of the apprentices.’
Speaking about his previous apprentice, Mr Hughes said, ‘the reason Tom’s apprenticeship has been so successful is because he is dedicated to the horse. Tom is closely involved in the horse industry and has always been committed to learning and improving himself. He takes part in competitions throughout the UK and has always been a motivated and conscientious learner. He was a pleasure to teach and is dedicated to the profession.’
The Award will continue into 2008.