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 […]
The best farriers want to excel in their craft. To do this, they are constantly on the lookout for skills they can improve. It is a lifelong pursuit. These farriers aren’t worried they don’t “know it all” yet. They are comfortable with the idea that they may never know it all. The never-ending learning is […]
By Doug Butler, PhD, CJF, FWCF Farriery or horseshoeing is an ancient art. Sound principles of practice have changed little over the centuries. Its object is to keep horses sound and useful to mankind. It is a service occupation that allows recreation and work horses provide a more enjoyable experience for their owners. Fads have […]
Upon completing a horseshoeing course, some students wisely choose to continue their training with an experienced farrier. Occasionally, one of these students will ask, “How much should I expect a farrier to pay me for helping him or her a few times a week?” There are many factors to consider, but we usually advise not […]
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, […]
A serious affliction of horses today is laminitis and founder. When a horse has laminitis, the toe or front half of the foot is in pain because the laminae that adheres the hoof wall to the bone has become inflamed. This is a problem because the hoof wall supports the weight of the animal. The […]
Farriers are presented with different horse feet scenarios. Often these come as a last resort from horse owners. This was a horse that was injured 4 months ago. The owner was not sure how the horse injured himself. There is a bulge at the coronary band and the right front foot is beginning to […]
There have been many changes in the farrier industry in the past 60 years since I shod my first horse. Some are more important than others. All have increased the income and prestige of the farrier as a professional craftsman and tradesman. Horse population increase. Horse population and popularity as a recreational outlet has increased. […]
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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