Farrier work is a craft skill. It takes many years to master any craft. Farrier school is only the beginning. You must study and practice to become competent. You must train your eyes, your brain, and your motor nerves and muscles to do this precision work. You must obtain the knowledge and develop the skills […]
Learning to learn applies to every phase of life. Recently I became aware, through an article titled “Divided Attention” by David Glenn published February 28, 2010, in The Chronicle of Higher Education, that many students today are having greater difficulty learning and applying what they’re being taught due to inattention and the illusion of competence […]
The best way to tell the position of the Distal Phalanx, or P3, is to have a lateral/medial radiograph of the hoof. Usually, the foot will have to be placed on a block to get the x-ray beam parallel to the base of the bone. Without an x-ray, you can look at the slope of […]
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. –Alfred North Whitehead We have several notable holidays in the United States. Valentine’s Day is one of them! Not only is it a good time to communicate with loved ones, family members […]
It’s important to have a memorized sequence of performing farrier skills so nothing is left out. This is the sequence we teach at Butler Professional Farrier School. The image in the mind guides the craftsman’s hands. This sequence must be practiced until it becomes a habit. 1. ASSESSMENT Consider horse, shoe wear, and conditions 2. […]
Hoof wall thicknesses vary. There is a very small margin for error. The farrier must pay close attention to selecting and driving each nail. Not all nails are manufactured perfectly, and misshapen nails might not drive straight. However, nail quicking isn’t the only kind of quicking that can affect a horse – he can also […]
Farriers perform a valuable service for people who care about their horses. It’s important to be trustworthy and do the job right. Let me share a true story. A stone mason was laying very large stones for the walls of a large church building. One of the stones had a crack on the very inside […]
I believe the NC Tool hoof knife is the best value for the money. They come sharp and are easy to keep sharp. And they are relatively inexpensive to replace. I think the best hoof knives in the market are Ringel knives. I use them in my work, for they are made of high quality […]
By the end of the first week in January, many people have already abandoned their new year’s goals. Others are perplexed — “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:17) There is much confusing and even false information in the farrier industry. It’s up to each horse […]
Here are seven guidelines and important questions to consider in establishing and maintaining good farrier-client relationships. 1. Be on time for your shoeing appointments. It is easier to build a good long-term relationship when the first impression is favorable. If you wish to be successful, you must advertise success. Are you making a good impression? […]
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.
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