Reached 1000 horseshoes forged before I ever sold a single one

I kept a tally in my shop notebook and hit 1000 shoes last Tuesday, but I’ve never sold a single one cause I give them all to the local riding school for free. Everyone told me I should have started selling after 50, but the practice taught me way more about steel flow and hammer control than any dollar amount could. Has anyone else held onto a milestone for the learning instead of the profit?

2 comments

2 Comments

paulschmidt22d ago

Read a blacksmithing blog that said a thousand free shoes teaches you things a hundred sold ones won't.

vera_murphy22d ago

Calling it "practice" is just a fancy excuse for leaving money on the table. Those 1000 shoes could have paid for your shop rent and a new anvil by now.