I’m often asked how I would define farrier competency. “What should a competent farrier look like?” “How will I know one when I see one?” In the British Isles, they would call such a person “a qualified farrier.” The way a person starts out is generally the way he or she ends up. Attitude is […]
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 […]
Foal limb soundness begins before a foal is born. It involves considerations of nature (genetic) and nurture (environment). Genetic factors include inherited conformation and behavioral traits from the stallion and mare. Environmental factors include physical space in the mare’s uterus, nutrition, training and disease prevention. Choosing a mating that has a good chance of producing […]
“Doug, I attended your Horse Expo seminar this past March in Lincoln and really enjoyed your lecture. I never thought that I would have to bring out notes from what you talked about in such a short amount of time, but we ended up having a horse go lame on us this spring. We saw […]
More than one hundred years ago farriers were confronted with the same problems as farriers are facing today. The “shoeless experiment” was then proposed as a one size fits all solution by “the barefoot people.” (See page 2 of William Hunting’s, The Art of Horseshoeing, published by W. R. Jenkins in New York, in 1898). […]
If you live in the vicinity of Lincoln, Nebraska, we invite you to attend Dr. Butler’s Nebraska Horse Expo program on “Humane Hoof Care,” at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 2010! His 2:00 p.m. program is scheduled in the Nebraska Room of the Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln, Nebraska. And there’s more “March Gladness” to share, […]
“Share a little March Gladness…” We’d be “glad” if you would check out each of our newly designed websites … www.dougbutler.com – for horseshoeing books and training DVDs www.butlerprofessionalfarrierschool.com – learn about our facility, staff, curriculum, class schedules, admission requirements, tuition www.butlerhorseshoeingschools.com – sign up today to receive weekly blogs on humane horse foot care […]
March is a special month for many reasons – from basketball teams and their March Madness to the glories of Springtime, such as new baby calves on our neighbors’ ranches, early flowers popping their heads up through the lingering snow, and pastures and yards turning green to announce the long winter is over. Yes, Spring […]
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 […]
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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