With Spring upon us, remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Use these tips to help minimize the risk of injury or other problems to your horse’s well-being during this new season. Check and repair pasture fences before weather gets nice enough to turn out your horses. Deer, as well as […]
When inspecting a horse’s feet, it can be alarming to see red marks on the outer hoof wall and on the sole. Some owners and beginning farriers might even mistake these red spots for fresh blood! However, most of these spots are remnants of past injuries known as bruises. They are simply evidence of an […]
During the winter months, a lot of horse owners opt to have shoes pulled and let horses go barefoot through the winter. This can be a good idea for many horses because they will not be used as much and shoes have a tendency to make snow build-up or “snowballing” worse in the bottom of […]
As the winter months set in, many horse owners have the question: is my horse warm enough? Do I need to blanket my horse? Understanding anatomy and physiology can help horse owners understand when a horse may or may not need a blanket. Some horse owners unwisely use the rule that when they feel cold, […]
Fall is upon us and temperatures are beginning to drop. This brings with it the risk of laminitis and founder for horse owners. Laminitis can be devastating for horses and donkeys alike as it means a deterioration of the sensitive laminae that bond the bone to the hoof. Hooves are designed to bear the weight […]
This month, the House Judiciary Committee will vote on the 2018 budget, including how funds will be allocated to care for the growing number of wild horses (mustangs) that live on federal lands. There are ardent defenders on both sides of the argument of how the tax-payers money should be spent. No real solution has […]
As an American farrier that has shod horses from coast to coast and border to border for over five decades, I am amazed at the many different ways people care for their horses. What is considered neglect in some areas, in another is considered responsible care. There is variance in area and in breeds, […]
In the fall, as the temperatures drop, horses will get some relief as external parasites like flies, mosquitoes and ticks begin to die off. We tend to think of parasite control as something we do in the spring because as the temperature rises, we see and hear the flies and mosquitoes. But fall is also […]
Horses have a thick skin insulated by fat and thick winter hair. The horse’s integument (its hooves and skin) has an underlying dermis that contains AVAs (arterio-venous anastomoses). These vascular systems allow the body to shunt or divert blood away from its surface area periodically to keep the animal’s central core warm
There are several ways of providing traction in the winter time. Traditionally horses were shod with sharp shoes. Shoes were calked (toes and heels) and these were sharpened periodically by the blacksmith. This was a difficult job as the shoes had to be removed and it had to be done more often than a normal […]
Butler Professional Horseshoeing School
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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.
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