Farrier Focus Podcast

In this episode, we talk with horse owner and journalist Colleen Archer and her farrier, Adam Ellens, CF of Ontario, Canada about how they work together to help serve the horse's best interests. Colleen and Adam share insights about setting up proper expectations and how farriers can better communicate with the horse owners and veterinarians help achieve results for the horses they work with on a daily basis. This informative interview will give you valuable insights about how to see things from the other's perspective.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares insights on more foot diseases and conditions of the lower legs of the horse. He shares experiences from his extensive career of what works best when treating complicated cases. This is from a talk that Dr. Butler gave at a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, Certified Journeyman Farrier Nate Allen talks about foot shapes and the relationship of anatomy to trimming the horse's foot. He shares important insights about studies that have been done and the importance of understanding where structures are in the hoof capsule before you start trimming. This talk was given at a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier, Charlie Comstock, of Deerfield, Missouri. He has been shoeing horses for more than 46 years. He started shoeing on July 5, 1972 and turned 18 when he was in shoeing school. In this interview, he shares his beginnings, how he got into tool making and many stories throughout his lengthy career. Charlie is well known by many farriers as a living legend in the farrier business and it is an honor to learn from him.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler speaks to a group of horse owners and veterinarians about changes that have happened in the farrier industry and how farriers and horse owners can work better together today.

In this episode, from a talk given several years ago by Certified Journeyman Farrier, Tom Parris, shares his keys to running a sustainable and profitable business. While the numbers may have changed slightly in the years since the talk was given, we invite you to carefully consider the principles he shares that will help you reduce your expenses and increase your profitability. Tom also shares insights about running a multi-farrier practice. We did a previous interview with him about how he runs his multi-farrier practice and invite you to listen or re-listen to this episode as a way to better understand what he covers here.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier, Roy Verocay, who is the owner of WorldWideFarrierSupply.com. He is also an importer and distributor of GluShu USA. He is originally from Uruguay, and currently lives in Port Orange, Florida.  Roy got his start as a farrier in 2000 and shares numerous experiences on learning farriery from Bucky Hatfield as well as the very best techniques he has found for working with glue on shoes.  

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler continues his explanation of the sensitive structure's of the horse's foot to help farriers and veterinarians better understand the anatomy behind what they do in their work each day.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares the importance of understanding the anatomy of the horse's foot. He compares the work that mechanics do for an automobile with what a farrier does when shoeing a horse. This episode shares Dr. Butler's thoughts on the importance of studying and mastering anatomy as farriers. This may be a great review of the structures of the horse's foot or a great start to learning the foot anatomy that will benefit you each day of your farrier career.

In this episode, we talk with German farrier Jürgen Gotthardt who lives between Frankfurt and Cologne, Germany. He has been a farrier since 1982. Jürgen shares his story of how he got started, his unique gait analysis system, and numerous lessons he has learned in the trenches working with horses and gaining certifications from mentors around the world.  

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler talks to a group of farrier and veterinarians about how to balance high tech horseshoeing solutions with traditional techniques. Dr. Butler begins by sharing numerous experiences from his beginnings in horseshoeing as well as lessons he has learned over the years from teaching farriers and veterinarians. This episode is sponsored by Life Data Labs, Inc. (https://lifedatalabs.com) and by Butler Professional Farrier School. You can apply to attend upcoming classes by going to: http://butlerprofessionalfarrierschool.com

In this episode, we talk with Certified Farrier Jim LaClaire from Pensacola, Florida. He has been shoeing horses for 40 years since he started in 1979. Jim shares how he got started shoeing horses while serving for twenty years in the Navy and shares numerous lessons he learned from early mentors, experiences from shoeing horses on naval bases around the world and his perspective on the importance of continuing education. He also shares experiences from being a part of the Equine Locomotor Research Course at the Royal Veterinary College, London, England this past year, some lessons on working on therapeutic cases, and what it takes to develop better relationships with veterinarians.

In this episode, we talk with Jack Millman, of Worthington, Massachusetts. He is a Certified Journeyman Farrier, has a Diploma from the Worshipful Company of Farriers, and holds the APF designation from the Professional Farriers Association. He began shoeing horses in 1976 and has been shoeing now for more than 42 years. Jack shares his story about how he left the advertising industry, studied horseshoeing in Oregon, and numerous stories from his early mentors. He also shares lessons from his time as a certification examiner for the AFA, his philosophy on shoeing, lessons from growing and sustaining a great business, and his tips for farriers getting started today. In this episode, you'll hear great advice from a farrier who has been in the trenches for many years and has an enthusiasm and passion for sharing what he has learned with others.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier, Austin Edens, from Dripping Springs, Texas. He is widely known as one of the most successful and consistent international farrier competitors in history (including being World Champion) and a popular judge. Austin’s farrier work today is centered on a sport horse client list and challenging veterinary collaborations. He has been shoeing horses since 1995 and has been working as a farrier, clinician, toolmaker, and contest judge for more than 23 years. Austin shares his story about how he got his start, memorable experiences from his career, contests he won, advice for farriers about competing, his practice schedule, and what his daily schedule looks like today. You'll learn a tremendous amount from Austin about what it takes to succeed as a competitor and farrier today.

In this episode, we interview Canadian farrier Paul Thibodeau of Port Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada. He attended Eastern School of Farriery in Martinsville, Virginia with Danny Ward. Paul shares his story about how he got started, lessons he has learned over 35+ years of shoeing horses, and memorable stories from his career of shoeing all over Nova Scotia.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier, Chris Madrid, of Stanley, New Mexico (which is 40 miles east of Albuquerque). He studied horseshoeing for two years at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, New Mexico with Nate Allen and Jacob Butler. He has been shoeing horses for more than 14 years. Chris tells his story about how he got started as a farrier, his lessons from competitions and getting the journeyman certification, as well as numerous stories and lessons from his career. He also shares what it takes to get over a tough loss, and the story behind his nickname of "Money". You'll learn a lot from this dedicated craftsman, champion, toolmaker, and farrier about what it takes to succeed today as a farrier.

In this episode, we’re privileged to talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier Jennifer DePollo Horn of Northern Michigan. She has been shoeing horses for more than 26 years. In addition to her career as a horseshoer she is also a highly creative artist-blacksmith. She has been an active member of the Executive Board of the Michigan Horseshoers Association for many years. Next year will be the 50th year for the MHA and it’s annual contest and clinic. In this episode, Jennifer shares how she got her start, lessons she has learned from competitions, and how she got into being a creative artist and blacksmith.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier Scott Davidson of Nine Mile Falls, Washington (just outside of Spokane, Washington) and Tucscon, Arizona. He has been shoeing horses since 1971 for more than 47 years. Scott shares how he got his start by studying under Scott Simpson, his experiences on the North American Horseshoeing Team in 1986 and 1989, and numerous experiences and lessons he has learned throughout his career.

In this episode, we talk with Brent Chidsey of Cynthiana, Kentucky. He is the founder of Stone Well Bodies & Equipment and Bay Horse Innovations.  Brent is a manufacturer and supplier of a wide variety of farrier rigs and has been involved in the farrier industry for more than 28 years. In this wide ranging interview, he tells his story about how he got started shoeing horses and making rigs for farriers. In particular, Brent shares insights into how farriers should think about their rig and the important questions to ask to improve efficiency on the job. You'll get a lot of stories behind the history of horseshoeing rigs and the numerous innovations that have been added over the years.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares seven strategies to help you prosper in your farrier business. He uses the acronym of PROSPER to go through seven specific areas of your business that you must consider and pay attention to in order to grow a more successful and prosperous business. This was given at a talk at a previous Farrier Focus conference several years ago.