Newsletter Archives

Sept 04
Oct 04
Nov 04
Dec 04

Jan 05
Feb 05
Mar 05
Apr 05
May 05
June 05
July 05
Aug 05
Sept 05
Oct 05
Nov 05

Jan 06
Feb 06

Home | Links | Resources | Feedback | News-Articles | Privacy Policy | About Us | Services | Events

FARRIER APPOINTMENT SERVICE TEAM, INC.
NEWSLETTER MAY 2005

www.farrierappointmentserviceteam.com
Member of Farrier Industry Association (FIA)

For Your Health

A farrier’s job is very hard on the muscles, tendons, joints and bones. Most farriers experience back and leg pain and sometimes it is so severe that they must seek treatment from a doctor.

You will reduce injury by stretching your muscles before and after work. 

Because you are in your vehicle for long periods of time, here are a few HELPFUL DRIVING TIPS. (Information obtained from HEALTHSOUTH®)

  1. Position seat so that knees are the same level as, or slightly higher than hips. Stretching your legs too far to reach the pedals will increase the curve in your lower back.
  2. When getting into the car, back up the seat, sit down and then pull legs in together. This method decreases the twisting stress on you back.
  3. Position the headrest to provide support to the neck and avoid hyperextension.
  4. Adjust the mirrors to maximize the view and minimize twisting of the neck.
  5. When driving for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to get out of the car and move around. Change positions frequently.
  6. A small cushion behind the low back may help maintain a more normal back curve and increase your overall comfort.
  7. Avoid a forward position of the head.
  8. Shoulders should be relaxed while hands are on steering wheel. You should not have to “hunch” shoulders to reach the wheel. If you do, re-adjust seat locations and sitting positions.
Purchase a Pilates or Yoga CD and an exercise mat. In the morning and/or evening do the stretching exercises. This will greatly increase your strength and endurance in your job. There is a company called The Pines Studio for Pilates run by Missy Noll, missy@thepinesstudio.com , 724-935-7945. Her husband is a farrier and she has exercises that will help farriers. Give her a call or e-mail her and see what she has to offer. She presented at Doug Butler’s Farrier Focus 2003 and that farriers loved it!

PROPER BODY MECHANICS (information obtained from HEALTHSOUTH®)

Decreased stress and strain on spine, decreases pain, increases activity level.

Most back pain is a result, at least in part, of using your back improperly. Learn and practice good body mechanics at work, home, and play.
1. GOOD POSTURE
Maintain the natural curves of your back when standing, sitting, bending, and lifting. Poor posture does more than look bad. Over time, poor posture aggravates all back problems.
2. CHANGE POSITIONS FREQUENTLY
Avoid prolonged static positions. Movement helps nourish you discs and decreases stiffness.
3. AVOID TWISTING
Always face your work. Your nose and toes should face the same direction…especially while lifting and/or carrying something.
4. LIFT OBJECTS CLOSE TO YOUR BODY
Objects feel heavier and put much more stress on your back when held away from the body.
5. BEND YOUR KNEES WHEN PERFORMING LOW TASKS
When lifting or reaching for objects on the floor or on a low shelf, keep your knees bent. Bending your knees and hips helps you maintain the normal curve of your back and let the large muscles of the legs do most of the work.
6. PUSH RATHER THAN PULL
Pulling a load puts twisting and leverage stresses on your back.
7. DO YOUR EXERCISES DAILY
Strong and flexible back, abdominal and thigh muscles help support your spine.
8. WEAR CUSHIONED SHOES
Comfortable, supportive, and well cushioned shoes help absorb shock as you stand and walk.
9. SLEEPING POSITIONS
Sleep on you side with your knees bent. (Often a pillow between you knees or under your top knee is beneficial.) On you back with a small pillow under your knees may also be appropriate. 

**********

VIRTUE vs. Impurity
The moral excellence evident in my life as I consistently do what is right
Aspects of Virtue
· Do what is right.
· Guard your eyes, ears, words and thoughts.
· Learn to stand alone.
· Abstain from anything which might damage or pollute your mind or body.
· Treat others as you would want others to treat you.
© 2005 Character Training Institute.

The Mark of Virtue

Legend has it that Theodore Roosevelt and one of his cowhands found an unbranded steer on land controlled by Gregor Lang, a neighboring rancher.

In accord with the usual custom, the prepared to brand it, but as the cowboy applied the brand, Roosevelt said, “Wait, is should be Lang’s brand.”

“That’s all right, boss,” said the cowboy.

“But you’re putting on my brand,” Roosevelt said.

“That’s right,” The cowboy said, “I always put on the boss’s brand.”

“Drop that iron,” Roosevelt commanded, “and get back to the ranch and get out. I don’t need you anymore. A man who will steal from me will steal from me.”

Roosevelt understood that a person’s moral conviction must rest on something firmer than the presence or absence of particular people. Do what is right, no matter who might benefit or who might be watching.
H. Hagedorn, Roosevelt in the Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt Nature & History Association (August, 2000)

**********

I still have some 
The Founder Data Collection and Analysis Forms, by Dr. Esco Buff available
The cost is $20.00 which includes s/h. Want to order a set?
Send a check or money order payable to Carla Repke to:
Farrier Appointment Service Team, Inc.
PO Box 1184
LaPorte, CO 80535

**********

Carla’s forecast: Spring is here and you will be very, very busy!

FAQ about Farrier Appointment Service Team, Inc.

Is this service too costly for the average farrier? 


No. If you take the number of horses you shoe a month and divide it into the monthly fee, you can raise your cost of shoeing per horse by that amount to cover the cost of my service.

Example: 
A farrier has 75 customers and shoes 150 horses per month; the cost per horse for my service is $3.00. Farriers, if they want, can pay for my service by raising their shoeing fees to the per horse amount. $400.00 monthly fee divided by 150 horses = $3.00 (rounded) per horse 
A big plus is that my service is TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

(Check out the monthly fee chart on my web site under service) 

www.farrierappointmentserviceteam.com 

Or, you can figure that my services can cost $10.00 up to $16.00 per day. It costs more to feed a family of four at McDonalds.

Does cost differ from state to state?

No. The fee table is the same for everyone.

**********

Farriers
have lots to share from their work experience. I would like to include information from you, the farrier, in future newsletters. Maybe you have some words of wisdom that can benefit others. You may have some news that you would like others to know about or maybe you attended a clinic that you thought was well worth your time. We all benefit from sharing. You can send your information to carla@farrierappointmentserviceteam.com. Please make sure you give me your name and what state you are from so I can give you proper acknowledgement for the piece.

**********

Farrier Appointment Service Team, Inc. is a new concept. I am always open for suggestions on how I can help you, the farrier, have more free time and be more successful. I deem all suggestions and comments, good or bad, valuable. Send suggestions to carla@farrierappointmentserviceteam.com 


**********

Feel free to share this newsletter. Respect all copyrighted material.
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please go to the e-mail address below and type remove in the subject line. carla@farrierappointmentserviceteam.com


Copyright 2004 - 2006. All rights reserved.