As in any other profession, the word gets around rather quickly about the people who fail to pay for farrier services. When these people call, I am simply not taking on any new clients at the present time. Long before a person buys a horse, they should sit down and determine what this new investment is going to cost them on a monthly or annual basis. Trimming and shoeing costs vary greatly across the country and a horse's particular needs must first be determined by what his intended use will be. Most horses that are used on a regular basis need much more in the way of hoof care and you should be prepared for that as a horse owner.
Scheduling is an area that creates friction between horse owners and farriers as well.
Regular, scheduled appointments accomplish several things. Most importantly they benefit the horse by keeping his feet at the proper angle, length, etc. Minor problems are found quickly and are kept from becoming major, laming conditions that keep the horse out of work for a period of time. Your farrier can schedule horses in the same general area on a given day, thereby keeping his travel expenses down and in turn pass the savings on to you. I'm reminded of a horse I shod last year.