Many of the well-known clinicians and horse trainers today spend a lot of their time talking about how to train a horse under saddle or how to “make” a horse do things. Martin Black of Bruneau, Idaho is different in that he not only spends time on the horses, but also working on their feet […]
Driving horseshoe nails accurately, consistently and safely is a difficult task for the beginner. Some persons have abandoned horseshoeing altogether and become barefoot advocates because of their lack of confidence and skill in this area. It’s sort of like throwing out the baby with the bath. There are times when nothing but nailing on shoes […]
Farriers perform a valuable service for people who care about their horses. It’s important to be trustworthy and do the job correctly. Part of being your own boss means that you must take responsibility to recognize and fix mistakes. No one else will be your overseer. This can be a two-edged sword. Unfortunately, some farriers […]
When a horse requires protection from excessive foot abrasion, a simple horseshoe can do the trick. However, sometimes, a regular horseshoe is not enough to treat specific foot ailments. The “heart bar shoe” or “frog support shoe” is a versatile therapeutic application that offers relief to afflicted horses from a variety of conditions. Heart bar […]
The navicular bone in the foot of the horse is known more for the problems it can create (i.e. navicular syndrome) rather than for its actual function. Navicular syndrome or navicular disease often results in heel pain due to a problem associated with the navicular region; not just the bone. The condition is usually treated […]
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 […]
The question of whether or not a horse owner should shoe his or her horse comes up every now and then. Some have claimed that all horses should be trimmed regardless of their environment or occupation. Horses are as individual as people. What works for one may not work for another. Some horses have hard, […]
This past weekend (9 June 2018), Justify won the Belmont Stakes, making him only the 13th horse in history to become a Triple Crown Winner! This was an impressive feat considering some obstacles Justify had to overcome in order to achieve this great milestone. The Kentucky Derby (the first race of the Triple Crown) was […]
In recent years, there have been more and more women entering the farrier profession. There is a misconception that shoeing horses is a “man’s job.” Some may believe this is true because it is a very physically demanding craft. Women shouldn’t be discouraged by this inaccurate assumption. It is very true that being a farrier […]
Farriers can get annoyed with people that they feel are unjustly criticizing their work. A horse owner may “go on the internet” for a few hours and feel at liberty to offer advice with their newfound knowledge. When a (sometimes well-meaning) non-farrier does this, it makes him or her look ignorant. A customer once said, […]
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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