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 […]
We’ve had many questions about hoof supplements. The following questions are answered by Dr. Doug Butler, PhD, CJF, FWCF. Dr. Butler graduated from Cornell University with a doctorate degree in equine nutrition in 1976. He has dedicated his life to helping horses and teaching students how to be better horse care providers. He strongly believes […]
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, […]
By Doug Butler, PhD, CJF, FWCF We are often asked, “My daughter wants a horse. “What do I need to know about it?” Life is more enjoyable when we know what we are getting into. What are some of the considerations when buying a horse? Is it expensive? Are they dangerous? Does it build character […]
Some horses can develop a condition known as heaves. Other horses may become “wind-broke.” These ailments have to do with the lungs. Although the subject falls more in the veterinarian’s realm, farriers and all knowledgeable horsemen should be familiar with this condition that horses sometimes get. Broken wind is a horseman’s term for what many […]
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 time of year, bugs can be a problem for horses. Especially in areas that have been having a lot of rain. There is more standing water—a breeding ground for many varieties of irritating bugs. Flies, gnats, mosquitoes and culicoides (no-see-ums) are just some of the many different kinds of insects that can have a […]
In these hot summer months, it is important to consider your horse’s water consumption needs. High temperatures necessitate access to cool, clean water. Horses will consume as much as 60% more water when it is cooler than the outside temperature during the hot months. A horse only needs one quart of water per pound of […]
Last Saturday (5 May 2018) Justify, trained by Bob Baffert, won the 144th Kentucky Derby. He is the first three-year-old (not having been raced as a two-year-old) to win the Kentucky Derby since Apollo in 1882. Most horses that run in the Derby are two-year-olds. Justify ran the 1 ¼ mile race in 2 minutes […]
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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