Just finished my 500th shoeing job of the year and it felt pretty good

I was updating my log book last night and the number really jumped out at me. It's not a huge deal in the grand scheme, but for a guy who went solo three years ago after working for a bigger outfit, it feels like a solid mark. It means I've kept a steady pace, even through that rough patch last winter where the ice kept canceling appointments. The work itself is the same, but hitting that number makes me feel like I've built something real. It's not just about the shoes, it's about the trust from all those barns and owners. I still remember my first solo client, a nervous mare named Daisy over in Millerton. Now her whole barn is on my regular route. For the other solo folks out there, do you keep a running count, or do you just go by the feel of the work week?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor128d ago

What's your secret for staying booked solid?

lucasschmidt8d ago

That's a solid number, congrats. When you say you went through a rough patch last winter, how did you handle the rescheduling? Did you just call everyone as the ice melted, or did you have a different system to get back on track?

brian_smith67d ago

Is counting shoes really the best way to measure your work? I get that it feels good to hit a number, but it seems like busywork to me... like you're just chasing a score. The real work is the same whether it's 500 or 5. Maybe @taylor12 is onto something asking for secrets, because staying booked is what matters, not the tally. I just focus on doing the job right each time and let the rest sort itself out.