Happy Thanksgiving! Not only is this a good time to communicate with loved ones, family members and friends but also to thank others who have been influential in your life. Take time to call or write a note of appreciation! We recommend you send thank you cards to your clients to show your gratitude for […]
We appreciate the service of our veterans and the sacrifices they have made to ensure the freedoms that we enjoy in America. This time of year, around Veteran’s Day, is a good time to reflect on the freedoms we may take for granted. We honor those men and women who have sacrificed so much for […]
By Doug Butler, PhD, CJF, FWCF If you want to work with horses and the people who value them, farrier school may be the best opportunity for you. Becoming a farrier is a great career opportunity that is often overlooked in today’s horse industry. Farriers work for affluent people who have discretionary income and have […]
Tendon injuries can be devasting and career-ending for horses, depending on the severity of the damage and the availability of a knowledgeable veterinarian/farrier team. Horses have four major tendons in their lower legs. There are two extensor tendons in the front (common extensor and lateral extensor) and two flexor tendons in the back (superficial digital […]
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 […]
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 […]
Maria Ostry of Bruno, Nebraska (in Butler County) has been shoeing horses for 3 years now. She attended the Butler Professional Farrier School basic course in 2015 and the advanced course in 2016. She excelled as a student where she demonstrated a desire to learn and pushed herself every day to become better. She has […]
Few anatomical structures of the horse are as fascinating as the stifle joint. The stifle joint is located in the hind limbs between the femur and tibia. It is comparable to the human knee complete with a patella (knee cap). The hind limbs of the horse have a propelling function, driving the horse forward. The […]
In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell states, “autonomy, complexity and a connection between effort and reward are the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying.” (Outliers, 149-150) Working as a farrier can be extremely rewarding because all three of these components can be met. Ask any farrier what they […]
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.
[ Get the e-Book Now! ]
