I have been a mini equine farrier since 2004 for our county and have done up to 150-200 minis and other small livestock each yr. This is my side job and I love doing it and seeing/meeting new mini owners and their pets. Everyone around here knows this is what I do and all know me to be the only one that dose this as Im pretty much the only person who likes doing the minis. This is my passion and I noticed that folks dont like big horse farriers or the costs or just that most big horse farriers dont like doing the minis. I trim everything from bunnys, chickens, goats, mini horses, mini donkeys, alpacas, sheep, and small ponys 40" under.
All the big horse farriers knows I trim the minis and send folks my way and as I would send big horse their way. Even had a verbal aggreement with a few of them as to keep the peace and help each other out with potential new clients.
All was going great untill...
Just reciently I noticed that one of them decided to try and steal my job on another public site and local bussiness. He has done the big horses and drafts for a long time and that's really cool cause it gave me someone to send folks to that had big equine and always advoided the minis. WELL not now!!! I saw his adds now offering mini horse trims at a lesser price then I offer ( I only charge $15, and I think thats a way fair price) and also posts pics of his work. I was shocked as 1st of all, his trim work is great for big horses but all wrong for minis and trimming them like big horses with taking way to much toe and leaving all heal making minis look really club footed. And its only hear say, but since I work a the local tractor/feed store, I have had a couple of folks come up and tell me how he has been belittleing me and my work. TOTALLY NOT KOOL!!! And posts his adds everywhere including my store as if he is rubbing it in my face. Of course everyone at work rips down his add before I see it and my clients I know are totally faithfull to me as they enjoy me trimming their pets and their pets love me. So not to much worry there, BUT to got spread rumors about my work and way I charge is low, even for a older man then me to act so childish! (Im 32 yrs old)
I always believed in the farriers code to not cross lines and step on toes and stay in your area or your profession and not be little each other or steal their customers. I never have, EVER! There's another gal in the next county over and totally respect her and NEVER post that way as thats her area, not mine. I just wish others would do the same as this really hurts my feelings.
What really blows my mind is this just reciently happed as I talked to him in my store a couple of months back and we where just chatting it up and he asked of bussiness was going and I said a little slow because of the ecomany as some owners sell, but new ones buy. He told me his died and was thinking of getting out of it. Then I hear and see all this. I know its a free world, but come on! Thats's just rude!!!
Thanks for letting me vent as this has been really bugging me and everyone I know just dont understand way it bugs me so much! But I bet you guys will...
Also one of my biggest fears about this is because of how he trims, I will be the one that has to fix everything in the end IF the horse owner realizes that he's doing it all wrong and causes more damage then good for the horse, if they even call me. The price might be the befefactor here or unfortintly the lack of knowlege of the horse owner has about the structor and importance of the proper hoof trim.
All the big horse farriers knows I trim the minis and send folks my way and as I would send big horse their way. Even had a verbal aggreement with a few of them as to keep the peace and help each other out with potential new clients.
All was going great untill...
Just reciently I noticed that one of them decided to try and steal my job on another public site and local bussiness. He has done the big horses and drafts for a long time and that's really cool cause it gave me someone to send folks to that had big equine and always advoided the minis. WELL not now!!! I saw his adds now offering mini horse trims at a lesser price then I offer ( I only charge $15, and I think thats a way fair price) and also posts pics of his work. I was shocked as 1st of all, his trim work is great for big horses but all wrong for minis and trimming them like big horses with taking way to much toe and leaving all heal making minis look really club footed. And its only hear say, but since I work a the local tractor/feed store, I have had a couple of folks come up and tell me how he has been belittleing me and my work. TOTALLY NOT KOOL!!! And posts his adds everywhere including my store as if he is rubbing it in my face. Of course everyone at work rips down his add before I see it and my clients I know are totally faithfull to me as they enjoy me trimming their pets and their pets love me. So not to much worry there, BUT to got spread rumors about my work and way I charge is low, even for a older man then me to act so childish! (Im 32 yrs old)
I always believed in the farriers code to not cross lines and step on toes and stay in your area or your profession and not be little each other or steal their customers. I never have, EVER! There's another gal in the next county over and totally respect her and NEVER post that way as thats her area, not mine. I just wish others would do the same as this really hurts my feelings.
What really blows my mind is this just reciently happed as I talked to him in my store a couple of months back and we where just chatting it up and he asked of bussiness was going and I said a little slow because of the ecomany as some owners sell, but new ones buy. He told me his died and was thinking of getting out of it. Then I hear and see all this. I know its a free world, but come on! Thats's just rude!!!
Thanks for letting me vent as this has been really bugging me and everyone I know just dont understand way it bugs me so much! But I bet you guys will...
Also one of my biggest fears about this is because of how he trims, I will be the one that has to fix everything in the end IF the horse owner realizes that he's doing it all wrong and causes more damage then good for the horse, if they even call me. The price might be the befefactor here or unfortintly the lack of knowlege of the horse owner has about the structor and importance of the proper hoof trim.
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