It seems all anyone is talking about is Coronavirus these days. It has had an enormous impact on every industry including ours. Many major horse events have been cancelled. The Kentucky Derby has been postponed until September and for the first time in 75 years the race will not be held on the first Saturday […]
This week is the 35th anniversary of the landmark AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) meeting where Burney Chapman, CJF and Dr. George Platt, DVM presented their research on effectively treating laminitis and founder. Much of what they presented then is still what competent farriers today are using to save afflicted horses. There has been […]
Farriers and veterinarians alike have (or should have) the horse’s welfare in mind. We do our best to make horses comfortable and would never purposefully harm a horse. We want the horse to be safe. We want the horse to be healthy. We do not want the horse to hurt! It would be nice if […]
Distance riding competitions have become popular in the United States and all over the world in recent years. Distance riding competitions consist of both endurance and competitive trail riding. These competitions showcase a horse’s ability to cover large distances without becoming too fatigued. Speed, horsemanship and the condition of the horse are all factors that […]
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 […]
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 […]
Horseshoes can (and should) be modified to be more beneficial to each individual horse. Horseshoe clips are among the most versatile and useful modifications to help horses in different circumstances. Clips are the triangular tab of metal that sticks up on the foot surface of a shoe to be seated into the hoof wall. The […]
Horses are unpredictable. They have minds of their own. There are so many ways horses can hurt you. They can react quickly and may jump, run, kick, strike, fall on and/or bite a person without warning. (As you gain experience, you will recognize changes in equine behavior that could become dangerous.) Workman’s Compensation insurance for […]
As the winter months set in, many horse owners have the question: is my horse warm enough? Do I need to blanket my horse? Understanding anatomy and physiology can help horse owners understand when a horse may or may not need a blanket. Some horse owners unwisely use the rule that when they feel cold, […]
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 […]
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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