When do you know you're a good Farrier?

I think it was Jack Evers .

Yes I think you're right Rick.

No, not me, but I guess it applies.

Around my 5th year, I had passed the CJF and I thought I was a god. I knew exactly what each one needed and I could fix them all. Around my 10th year, I realized I didn't know my butt from a hole in the ground. Going on my 16th now and I have reached the conclusion that none of us are nearly as good as we think we are...but I do seem to be developing the prowess of a seasoned expert at coming up with unanswered questions.

When you have to nearly quit working on horses due to your health and your steady clients refuse to use the farrier suggested to them. Opting instead to wait longer so you can do their horses here and there. Well at least it means I've been a good farrier to them.

In all seriousness, my wrist are nearly shot. The last injection only lasted three months. I'm not sure if it's because I started working out heavy again or what. I'm praying I can make it through to July. The Ex will hopefully get the kids for that month and I can have the surgery. Figure I'll lose some clients to the new guy I'm refering them too, but when I get back to working, I'll just slowly rebuild the business. Positive note, New guy heeded my advice and raised his prices from the $20 trim and $65 full set.

I knew I am a good farrier when I was called to the race track by a trainer to shoe two horses about two months ago. At that time I only visited the track on race days. Now I have new clients lining up for me to shoe their horses. It is only a small island with a few farriers. I still have a lot to learn about being a professional farrier.

So thats all it takes Carlos, priceless

Where are ya based Carlos?

i live in Antigua part of the Caribbean

like some have said, the more you learn, the more you learn that you are not as wise as you thought you were.
i go thought that from time to time.
I like to offer a service to help horse and owner in that situation. but its always a learning process, i can live with that, it keeps it interesting.
it is a good question, really , can a farrier know it all? i,ve been a horseman for thrity years , but from time to time you get to say " i haven,t seen that before" I reckon the same applies to shoeing.

Very nice!