Matt, it isn't that easy to find someone new
who is any good. The list of complaints by horse owners against farriers
is long: No communication, no response to phone calls, no showing up on
the appointed day, no showing up on time, and poor handling of the horses are a
few I can think of. I wish there was a push to encourage more young people
to learn the trade. The pool of good farriers, at least in our area,
is rather poor. And this is a pretty horsy county, too...endurance,
dressage, jumping, vaulting, showing, competitive trail, and just plain pleasure
riding.
When our good farrier was nearly killed in a
motorcycle accident a few years ago, it took him a year to recover. In the
meanwhile, we had to use a couple of real duds to tide us through. Even
now, I think there are very few really good farriers here.
$66 a day, not.....I already worked at Micky D's.Just take care of the
one that takes care of your horses feet.If he/she is not doing that for
you,find someone new.
.......how many horses do you think a guy can do for $66 a
day?
First, I used $66 an hour as a point of reference in relation to my
first point, that I think you have missed my point, which was tied into
the *original* purpose of tipping (related to minimum wage jobs).
I do understand that farriers are self-employed and have costs
associated with their business that they must include in their going rate in
order to make a living. My point is that farriers do not fall into the
minimum wage category. If you are going to tip the farrier on
the basis that he is self-employed and has expenses then you should start
tipping all self-employed persons, including your doctor, vet, the owner of
your local car dealership (unless you are only doing business with corporate
America).
I am a EMT by profession and I make $7.15 per hour and I have to pay
for my own continuing education and seminars which are not cheap, plus I buy
my own stethescopes, pay for a good portion of my uniforms, etc. and I
do not expect a tip and would not accept one. I'm fairly certain that
I make less than the average farrier. Theoretically I'm saving
lives..... I also have worked as a self employed person and I am aware
of the "perks" and tax benefits associated with self-employment as well as
the "cons" of being self employed. So, can we just get back to
the original question of do you or don't you tip your farrier without being
so hypersensitive to the fact that they are self employed? So
are a lot of other *professionals*.
Since tipping is a highly personal topic, tip if you want and don't tip
if you don't want to. Easy........(now where is that "easy" button
when I need it?)
