Using the confidence — competence loop with the AFA Certification to build your farrier business
Understanding the experience – confidence – competence loop and using it to strategically grow your hoofcare skills will position your farrier business for growth by helping you gain the skills necessary to successfully compete in the future.
The equine and farrier industries are changing. Horse owners are becoming aware and more demanding of what they want. Horses have a different value than in the past. Money isn’t the most critical issue. The horse generates a tremendous emotional pull and our society is receptive to it.
Logic and rational thought take second place to worry and a quick solution.
The farrier will need new skills to compete in the future. Horse owners are better informed … not always correctly … but they’re seeking information. They’re searching for the best hoofcare practices and they’re willing to pay for it.
They want someone who can take care of their horses hoofcare needs. The farrier is in the position to provide the information and the care.
We’re in the position to lead the industry. But … we have to raise our standard!
If we don’t raise our standards … Someone else will take the lead.
“I don’t know about you, but I’d rather lead than follow …”
Somehow everyone with a horse wants to be a hoofcare provider and knows more than the farrier. How did we let that happen?
It’s time we took the lead. The resources of knowledge and skill are there for us. The public wants good solid hoofcare from a farrier business that will do what it says and care for their horses.
They’re looking for someone to follow.
Why else would there be so many horse owners wanting to trim their own horses and struggling with boots? Why are there so many followers for the latest hoofcare craze? Why are they willing to follow a veterinarian or trainer or the guy at the feed store who know so little about the foot? Why do so many people tell the farrier how to do their job?
Why do we let them?
The answer … Our skills and business practices need updating. The horse owning public doesn’t have confidence in the farrier trade and is looking for answers … someone they feel is competent. It’s time we take charge!
The American Farriers Association is taking the lead.
The AFA offers solid training based on anatomy, physiology and time tested techniques, and a process to measure your skills against a standard. They’ll help you gain the ability to give the public confidence. This isn’t the bravado of puffing out your chest or fancy talk. These are solid hoofcare skills you’ll use every day.
This is the foundation needed to take action and get results.
Best of all, you learn all this with a group of like minded, supportive individuals who are more than willing to share their years of experience.
No need to worry about your current abilities not being good enough, we all started at the beginning. We gain the knowledge and skills as we go.
Experience leads to competence
Competence leads to confidence
Experience leads to expertise
Confidence leads to more experience
The American Farriers Association has programs that can take you from what ever abilities and knowledge you have and direct you to the resources and training to get the experience, confidence and competence to become one of the best. All while building a thriving farrier business that offers first class hoofcare.
By building the farriers skills and having a measurable standard for hoofcare the American Farriers Association is taking the initiative.
By building better farrier business practices Successful Farrier is taking the initiative.
Join us in raising the standard for hoofcare and taking the farrier industry into the future.
Your action speaks louder than words.
Join the American Farriers Association and begin the process of building your skills to become certified and help us lead by example.
AFA membership application:
http://americanfarriers.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/January-1-2013-Membership-Application.pdf
American Farriers Assn Certification:
http://americanfarriers.org/certification/
Certification schedule page:
http://americanfarriers.org/calendar/scheduled-events/
Certification materials:
http://americanfarriers.org/store/
Here’s to you becoming a Successful Farrier with a thriving farrier business!
We promise never to spam.
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