Some horses have crooked legs. Some of these horses become lame because of the deformatity. Other horses seem to learn how to “get along” with the deviated limb and though it is unsightly, the horse doesn’t seem to be affected. Farriers are often called upon to work on these crooked-legged horses. There are some factors […]
Horses’ hooves grow down from the coronary band to the ground at a rate of 1/4 to 3/8 inch per month (Butler 1976). At this rate, it takes approximately 8 months to a year for the horse to grow an entirely new hoof. When a horse injures itself near the coronary band, the evidence of […]
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 […]
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,” […]
Horses have a unique skeletal structure that is highly developed at birth (compared to other species). A young foal can run with a herd within hours after birth. The skeleton creates the framework for the body to function. Or as my 6 year old daughter explained to me, “Without a skeleton, we’d all just be […]
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 […]
The horse’s foot is a bio-mechanical marvel with many parts. Each part has a function. One of the most interesting parts is the frog. The frog is an insensitive, wedge shaped cushion or pad that helps the horse with shock absorption, traction and circulation. It is also a scent gland. The exact etymology of how […]
We all value our animals — both in terms of money and our emotional attachment to them. Although there are fewer horses today than a hundred years ago, there are more people who own horses, and individual animals have a much higher value. Many well-meaning people buy a horse just because they become emotionally attached […]
This week (22 Jul 2018), a mule named Wallace the Great made headlines by being the first mule to win a British Dressage competition. Earlier this month, the British Dressage Board revised the rule book to allow mules to compete in British Dressage. Mules have been allowed to compete in dressage in the United States […]
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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