Farrier Focus Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Butler explains the evolution of the six stages of farrier education and how you can use lessons from his life to learn faster and more efficiently as you master the craft.   If you would like to contact us with questions relating to your business, specific cases, general horse hoof care questions, or suggestions for future podcasts, please email us at farrierfocuspodcast@gmail.com. We might even feature your email in a future episode!

In today's episode, we we talk to acclaimed horseman, clinician and author, Martin Black of Bruneau, Idaho. He is famous for his many educational books and DVDS on Vaquero-style horsemanship. This includes the Western Horseman Book, Cow-Horse Confidence. Recently, he also co-authored a book with Dr. Steve Peters, Evidence-Based Horsemanship. He has worked on ranches in Idaho, Nevada and California. He has worked with some of the top horsemen and bridlemen, Paul Black, Charlie and Bill Van Norman, Ray Hunt, Gene Lewis, Melvin Jones, Tom Dorrance, and Tom Marvel. In this episode, he talks about the importance of horsemanship in all aspects of interacting with horses; including trimming and shoeing. He shares his philosophies in communicating with horses to get the most out of the horse/horseman relationship. Martin has helped everyone from recreational riders to top horse-trainers in cutting, reining and racing, cowboys, cow-horse competitors, ropers, show-jumpers, and eventers. You can find out more about Mart

In this episode, we interview farrier legend Don Jones who has been shoeing horses for more than fifty-three years. He was a former farrier school instructor for more than eight years and also founded NC Tool. He started his career as a barber and married the daughter of a blacksmith (whose family had been shoeing for six generations). You'll get a lot of valuable advice and insights from this expert blacksmith and farrier.

Today our guest is Dr. Adam Pendleton. He is the seventh person to achieve the designation of Veterinarian and Certified Jouneyman Farrier. Dr. Pendleton began his shoeing career at a young age. He became a Certified Farrier at age 15 and Certified Journeyman Farrier at age 19. Dr. Pendleton graduated from Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. He opened his vet practice in 2014 called Handforged Vet. He specializes in athletic horse medicine, podiatry and lameness issues. His practice also includes general field ambulatory services and surgeries such as dentistry, lameness and gait analysis, pre-purchase exams, acupuncture and complimentary medicine. In this episode, we talk about his experiences as a farrier and as a veterinarian and the unique perspective he has to treat horses from different vantage points.  You can check out his website at handforgedvet.com.   If you would like to contact us with questions relating to your business, specific cases, general horse hoof care questio

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler explains how drawing helps you learn to see so you can do a more efficient shoeing job. He talks about the mind shifts successful farriers make and outlines exercises that can help you be more efficient in your work. He also discusses balance and which dimension is easiest and most difficult for farriers to learn. He also shares stories and experiences about how he learned to see better and the path he took to better understand balance. By understanding the principles outlined here, you will be a better farrier.

In today's episode we talk to Dr. Maarten Oosterlinck from Belgium. Dr. Oosterlinck graduated from Ghent University in 2004 and has gained extensive experience in equine orthopaedics and surgery at the department of surgery and anaesthesiology. He is a member of the faculty of veterinary medicine of Ghent University. Dr. Oosterlinck earned his PhD on the use of pressure plate analysis for the objective evaluation of equine locomotion in 2011. He went on to perform a residency and in 2014, he passed the qualifying exam of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. In 2018, he became diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. In this episode, Dr. Oosterlinck talks about several of the research projects that he has been involved in, including: pressure plate gait analysis, lameness, canker, and the split toe shoe. Dr. Oosterlinck has published on a variety of equine orthopaedic and surgical topics in peer-reviewed journals, and he lectures regularly at international cou

In this episode, Dr. Robert Eustace details his treatment methods for laminitis and other serious foot diseases from a talk that was given at a previous Farrier Focus Conference.

In today's episode, we talk to farrier legend, Shayne Carter. Shayne is Certified Journeyman Farrier and a Master Bladesmith. In 1984, Shayne was the first American to win the World Champion Blacksmith Competition (WCBC) held in conjunction with the Calgary Stampede. Shayne is still the youngest participant to win the WCBC title at age 23. Over the years, Shayne has been very active in competitions. Winning spots on the American Farriers Team in 1986,1988,1990,1993, 1997, and 1998.  Shayne travels all over the world teaching clinics to other farriers horsehoeing skills, blacksmithing, and knife and tool making. He is an exceptional blacksmith. In 1998, Shayne received the Jim Linzy Outstanding Clinician Award. In 2000, Shayne was voted "Farrier Industry Legend". This was awarded to the top 25 most influential contributors to the farrier industry. In 2003 Shayne was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame. Recently, Shayne passed his test to become a Master Bladesmith with the American Blade

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Ann Swinker, PhD about her experiences in the horse industry as an academic researcher, state extension horse specialist and professor of equine science. She has also been involved in breeding, training, marketing, importing and showing horses.  In this interview, Dr. Swinker talks several topics of interest inlcluding: horse nutrition, importance of getting feed analyzed, environmental stewardship, selenium toxicity and deficiency in horses, laminitis, micro-chipping horses and other research projects that she has been involved in.  Dr. Swinker holds a Masters degree in Animal Science from Penn State and a PhD in Agricultural Sciences from West Virginia University. She has served as the Extension Horse Specialist at Colorado State University and a professor of Equine Science. She most recently has been the Extension Horse Specialist and Associate Professor of Equine Sciences at Penn State University. At Penn State she was involved in the development of a number of major progra

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler continues his discussion on balance by discussing functional balance and how it relates to geometric balance which was discussed in a previous Farrier Focus podcast episode. This discussion from a previous seminar can be used in conjunction with studying Chapter 38 of The Principles of Horseshoeing III.

In this episode, taken from a talk that Dr. Doug Butler gave at Farrier Focus Conference at Centaur Forge in Burlington Wisconsin, Dr. Butler talks about different types of anvils. He discusses: use and location, height and position, anvil stands, and stance and safety.  The anvil is one of the most important tools a farrier has to ensure accurate fitting and proper modification of shoes. Dr. Butler talks about the most important factors to consider when deciding what type of anvil to get when starting out.   If you would like to contact us with questions relating to your business, specific cases, general horse hoof care questions, or suggestions for future podcasts, please email us at farrierfocuspodcast@gmail.com. We might even feature your email in a future episode!

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler talks about the basic fundamental skill of farriery of geometric balance. You'll get a lot out of this discussion that Dr. Butler conducted as part of a teleseminar with his son Jacob Butler. You may want to use Chapter 9 of The Principles of Horseshoeing III as a further resource for better understanding and applying this topic in your daily work.

In this episode, we talk with farrier Steve Kraus, who is the head farrier at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Steve is an American Farriers Association Certified Journeyman Farrier and has shod many types and breeds of show and performance horses for more than 55 years. In addition, he has worked for Mustad Hoofcare since 1976 as their farrier consultant, representing the organization across the country at farrier and horse owner clinics and events, as well as testing and developing horse nails, horseshoes, farrier tools, and the hoof care products that Mustad produces and markets. Since 1968, Kraus has also been the farrier for all the equine programs in the Cornell University Athletic department, which includes the Cornell Polo Team, Equestrian Team, and Physical Education Riding Program. You'll enjoy this insightful interview with Steve about how he got started as a farrier, some of his most memorable stories, and advice for farriers based on the experiences he has had throughout the

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler discusses the seven stages of applied learning in horseshoeing and how you can use these to better assess and teach those who are students, apprentices, or horseshoeing clients. You'll get a lot of insight about teaching from this discussion that Dr. Butler led in a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, I share ten questions that reveal what it takes to raise your farrier business to the next level. I hope these stories, ideas, and questions help you evaluate where you are at in the growth of your farrier business and what it will take to grow your business to the next level.

Sadly, we lost John Marino this year on March 18, 2019. He was 84 years old. We had the opportunity to interview him for the Farrier Focus Podcast in June of 2018. Today, we are re-airing this podcast (June 19, 2018) to commemorate this great man.  In this episode, John shares his early experiences of how he became a farrier after getting out of the Air Force, his early studies at the University of Arizona's Farrier School (where he studied under Donald Canfield), how he opened Across the Anvil Farrier Supply (which he operated until he sold it in 1991). He also discusses his contributions to the anvil industry by introducing a line of farrier anvils with wider faces and turning cams and the impact those anvils have had throughout the industry. John also recounts numerous experiences with his Wednesday night forging classes at his shop and the farrier school he opened with Grant Moon in 1988 (Texas School of Farrier Science). John holds the Certified Master Farrier designation in the BWFA of which he is a cha

In today's episode we talk to Dr. Doug Butler and Dr. Courtney Diehl, DVM to address a question about clogs vs. heartbar shoes. Later, we talk to Leslee Connell Schwartz, daughter of famous horseman, Ed Connell. Ed Connell wrote the books, Hackamore Reinsman, Reinsman of the West – Bridles and Bits, and Vaquero Style Horsemanship. These books are well known among true horsemen and women all over the world. Ed was also a major contributor to Western Horseman for years.  Leslee tells some great stories about the life of Ed Connell and some of the history of his books and training techniques. You can purchase Ed Connell's books at: https://martinblack.net/product-category/dvds/books   If you would like to contact us with questions relating to your business, specific cases, general horse hoof care questions, or suggestions for future podcasts, please email us at farrierfocuspodcast@gmail.com. We might even feature your email in a future episode!  

In today's special episode, we speak to Martha Crawford Cantarini, a living legend in not only the horse industry, but the film industry as well. Martha has had a long career with horses and worked as a stunt woman in Hollywood movies such as Yellow Sky, Interrupted Melody, The Big Country, The Law and Jake Wade, Love Me Tender, My Friend Flicka and many, many others. She didn’t just do horse stunts either. She did all kinds of stunt work in movies and even starred in a few such as The Killer is Loose – a Budd Boetticher film. Martha has worked with such stars as Gregory Peck, Charleton Heston, Elvis Presley, Richard Widmark, Robert Taylor and Clark Gable. She has doubled for Eleanor Parker, Anne Baxter, Shirley Maclaine, Debra Paget, Claudette Colbert, Jean Simmons and Patricia Owens just to name few! Martha has always said of all the stars she has worked with, her favorites were her four-legged co-stars. We talk with her about her experiences in stunt work and in working with some of the best horses and hor

In today's special episode, we commemorate the landmark address that Burney Chapman and George Platt, DVM, gave in Dallas, Texas at the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) meeting in Dallas, Texas 35 years ago today! The 1984 meeting was significant because it was the first time a farrier had ever presented at the AAEP. The presentation given by Burney Chapman who was a Certified Journeyman Farrier and George Platt who was a veterinarian is often cited as being a critical turning point in how equine professionals treated laminitis and founder. It is often noted that Burney Chapman and George Platt “re-introduced” the use of the heart-bar shoe to treat laminitis and founder at this meeting Dr. Doug Butler weighs in on the profound effect on the 35th anniversary of that significant meeting. We also talk about some of his memories of both of these great men as he was fortunate enough to call both of them close friends. Sadly, both of these pioneers of laminitis treatment have passed away. Today w

In this episode, farrier Michael Joshua shares his philosophy of the horseshoeing business. He started shoeing horses in 1987 and did so until a tragic accident changed the course of his life. He became an investor and returned later to the farrier business. You'll get tremendous insight out of his story and lessons he's learned throughout his career in this episode from a talk given at a past Farrier Focus conference.