Each one of us needs to face the fact that we are not going to live forever. We don’t know when our number will be up. Are you prepared for this eventuality? Are you at peace with yourself and your God? Have you conveyed your feelings of affection to those that are close to you? […]
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 […]
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 […]
With Spring upon us, remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Use these tips to help minimize the risk of injury or other problems to your horse’s well-being during this new season. Check and repair pasture fences before weather gets nice enough to turn out your horses. Deer, as well as […]
Farriers perform a valuable service for people who care about their horses. It’s important to be trustworthy and do the job correctly. Part of being your own boss means that you must take responsibility to recognize and fix mistakes. No one else will be your overseer. This can be a two-edged sword. Unfortunately, some farriers […]
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 […]
What should horse owners expect from their farrier? You, the horse owner, have a right to expect a well-trained and experienced professional to care for your valuable horse(s).Unfortunately, some farriers short-change their education by not acquiring a firm foundation of basic knowledge about their craft. Even those who make the sacrifice to attend a school […]
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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