Farriers perform a valuable service for people who care about their horses. It’s important to be trustworthy and do the job correctly. Part of being your own boss means that you must take responsibility to recognize and fix mistakes. No one else will be your overseer. This can be a two-edged sword. Unfortunately, some farriers […]
One of the great parts of being involved in the horse industry is the never ending opportunity to learn. Some of the most knowledgeable professionals in our craft will readily admit that they enjoy learning and that they haven’t stopped. My dad, Dr. Doug Butler, is a great example of this to me. He has […]
What should horse owners expect from their farrier? You, the horse owner, have a right to expect a well-trained and experienced professional to care for your valuable horse(s).Unfortunately, some farriers short-change their education by not acquiring a firm foundation of basic knowledge about their craft. Even those who make the sacrifice to attend a school […]
Osteomyelitis is distinguished from pedal osteitis in that the former implies infection of bone; the later implies inflammation due to bruising of the coffin bone. Bone pain is some of the most severe hurt an animal can experience. Osteomyelitis can be a sequela (following the original disease) to severe founder that results in sole perforation […]
Many problems with horses are caused by horse-loving people. Perhaps the most disturbing is the harmful, yet common notion, that “food is love.” There are far too many cases of young horses crippled with developmental orthopedic disease resulting in club foot, epiphysitis and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Many older horses are afflicted with low ringbone, navicular disease […]
Horseshoes can (and should) be modified to be more beneficial to each individual horse. Horseshoe clips are among the most versatile and useful modifications to help horses in different circumstances. Clips are the triangular tab of metal that sticks up on the foot surface of a shoe to be seated into the hoof wall. The […]
Competent farriers are sometimes unfairly accused of inflicting pain on horses simply because the nature of their work. Not all farriers are the same. Some may be justly criticized for causing pain. An occasional sadist might pop up and too often we see farriers and trimmers alike harming horses out of ignorance. But these are […]
The horse’s foot is a bio-mechanical marvel with many parts. Each part has a function. One of the most interesting parts is the frog. The frog is an insensitive, wedge shaped cushion or pad that helps the horse with shock absorption, traction and circulation. It is also a scent gland. The exact etymology of how […]
When a horse requires protection from excessive foot abrasion, a simple horseshoe can do the trick. However, sometimes, a regular horseshoe is not enough to treat specific foot ailments. The “heart bar shoe” or “frog support shoe” is a versatile therapeutic application that offers relief to afflicted horses from a variety of conditions. Heart bar […]
Professional farriers demonstrate their work is a legitimate business by incorporating and following tax laws. As the business grows, farriers should take time to work on the business and not just in the business. They must protect their hard-earned income. This includes obtaining protective insurance and understanding exactly what is covered. Do you have business […]
Butler Professional Horseshoeing School
495 Table Road
Crawford, NE 69339
(800) 728-3826
jacob@dougbutler.com
If you think you want to become a farrier (or know someone who does), this book can help you make that decision. Horse owners will learn the importance of choosing a qualified farrier and how to select the “right” one.
[ Get the e-Book Now! ]
