Shoeing horses is not just about taking care of horses. We need to take care of the owners too. Sometimes we forget that the customer is the owner and not the horse! On occasion, someone will call and say, “I want to change my career. I think I’d like to get into the farrier business […]
Happy Independence Day! This is a wonderful time of year to reflect on the great heritage of our country and our craft. We are indebted to our forefathers, who dedicated their lives to independence and freedom. George Washington was the commanding general during the revolutionary war. He was greatly loved by the men he led […]
Riding a stumbling or tripping horse can be aggravating and dangerous. Stumbling occurs when the horse’s toes do not entirely clear the ground and the gait is interrupted. All horses will inevitably trip occasionally depending on the ground they cover, but some horses stumble consistently regardless of the terrain. In the case of these “stumblers,” […]
Horses have a unique skeletal structure that is highly developed at birth (compared to other species). A young foal can run with a herd within hours after birth. The skeleton creates the framework for the body to function. Or as my 6 year old daughter explained to me, “Without a skeleton, we’d all just be […]
We all want to help our horses to be comfortable and sound. As horse owners, farriers and veterinarians it is worth considering some things we have control over (nutrition, exercise, regular trimming and shoeing intervals) and things we have no control over (genetics, congenital defects). It is important that we recognize the things we have […]
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 […]
Foaling season is upon us. If you have a young foal or are expecting one soon, remember the important things you can do to ensure the foal gets a good foundation for hoof care. Crooked legs on young horses can be a big concern, but when handled properly, many horses can grow out of it. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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! ]
