Draft or heavy horse shoeing is different from light horseshoeing. Draft horses move slowly. They often pull heavy loads. They are heavy and their feet need more protection than light horses. They are very strong, and though they are often gentle for most work, they sometimes resist shoeing. A heavier, thicker stock shoe is required […]
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 […]
Only about 10% of snakes native to the U. S. are poisonous. Most of these are in the West and South. However, rattlesnakes are found in all the lower 48 states except Maine. Australia has the most poisonous snakes, spiders, scorpions, and jellyfish. Several hundred horses are bitten annually by poisonous snakes in the U. […]
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,” […]
Often farriers are asked about the rings on the horse’s foot. They have the potential of giving us twelve months of information about a horse’s health. Visible rings indicate there has been some disturbance in the metabolism of the horse affecting the keratinization of the hoof. The indentation or ring is formed sometime before it […]
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 […]
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 […]
By Doug Butler PhD, CJF, FWCF Recently, as I was searching through my extensive collection of horseshoes I came across a shoe made for Kello-Bask, a yearling Arabian colt that I shod from 1967 to 1970. At the time of his first shoeing I had just been hired to teach farrier skills to students and […]
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 […]
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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