Farrier Focus Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Dani Rueter of Paulina, Iowa. She has been shoeing horses for eight years. Dani talks about her beginnings as a farrier, her experiences at Butler Professional Farrier School, business lessons she has learned, and her thoughts about what it takes to succeed in the farrier profession.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier Shane Allen of Ocala, Florida who has been shoeing horses for 35 years. He started shoeing horses in 1982 while studying at Northwest Missouri State University under Dr. Doug Butler. Shane shares his story about how he got started, lessons he has learned as a farrier, the differences between feet in Florida and Pennsylvania, how he ran his farrier business in several states for years, his thoughts on balance in life and with horses, and numerous lessons and experiences from his career.

In this episode, we talk with Scottish farrier Jim Ferrie. He is a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers and is also an appointed Examiner and Approved Judge of the Company. He was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame in 2003 in recognition of distinguished accomplishments, achievements and contribution in advancing the farrier industry. He started shoeing in 1969. Jim, and his brother Allan, shoe all types of horses and also both lecture and give forging demonstrations worldwide. We cover his start as a farrier, how he and his brother started their own shoeing supply business, and lessons he has learned over five decades of shoeing horses. Jim also shares important observations about what it takes to learn the skills of farriery and be a top level competitor. He also shares some of his most memorable experiences as a competitor, examiner, and judge.    

In this episode, we’re privileged to talk with farrier legend Gunner Gatski of San Diego, California. He has been shoeing horses for 55 years. Gunner shares his story of how he got started as a farrier in the army, memorable stories from his career including "The Horse with the Golden Shoes", "The Polish Chicken" and numerous other funny stories and memorable experiences. Gunner shares the origin of the Gunner Hammer and highlights from his life and career as well as his predictions and beliefs about the future of farriery.

In this episode, we’re privileged to talk with farrier Steindor Thorisson, who lives in Sweden, but is originally from Iceland. He shares observations about Icelandic horses, their gait and observations about the farrier business in Iceland and Sweden. He also shares how he got his start, his schooling at Butler Professional Farrier School and the commitment it takes to master this craft. He shares business lessons and his thoughts about the future of licensing in the farrier business, based on what he has already seen happen in Sweden. You'll get a unique perspective on the farrier business in Iceland and Sweden from this interview with a very skilled and talented farrier.

In this episode, we're privileged to talk with Steven Beane, FWCF of North Yorkshire, England. Steven is a five-time World Champion Blacksmith, three-time European Champion and three-time British National Champion. He has been selected for the English farrier team 16 consecutive years and is a renowned judge and clinician.  Steven talks about how he got his start as a farrier, his practice regimen, and why he is so good as a competitor. He shares tips for farriers who want to be better in competitions and the sacrifices and price someone must pay to be at the top. He shares numerous lessons from his time on the British farrier team, his thoughts on the value of certification, lessons on learning to see shapes, how he got into making tools and his thoughts about the future of farriery. This is an extremely insightful look into mind of an incredible champion and what it takes to achieve excellence and remain at the top.

In this episode, we talk with farrier Wayne Preece, FWCF of the Midlands of England. He has been shoeing horses for more than thirty-three years. Wayne shares lessons he learned from teaching at Hereford College and some of the biggest mistakes he has seen beginning farriers and competitors make from his years of teaching and judging competitions. He also shares numerous lessons from his years of experience of being a farrier in the United Kingdom and why horsemanship is such a vital skill for farriers to develop.

Today marks a special milestone in that this is the 100th Episode released of the Farrier Focus Podcast. To celebrate this historic moment, Dr. Doug Butler, Jacob Butler, Peter Butler and I reflect on lessons that have been learned and some of our favorite insights and stories that have been shared as we have talked with farriers from around the world.  This episode shares some lessons that you may want to go back and listen to again (or for the first time) that can help you be a better farrier. In addition, the founders and instructors at Butler Professional Farrier School share their insights on how farriers can learn the skills of anatomy. Thank you so much for listening to the Farrier Focus Podcast over the past 100 episodes! We really appreciate it. If you have feedback or would like to recommend a topic or guest, please email jacob@dougbutler.com. 

In this episode, we talk with Eli Atiya, a farrier from Golan Heights, Israel. He has been shoeing horses for 6 years since he graduated from Butler Professional Farrier School. Eli shares lessons he learned in school, the value of a professional education, the importance of continually learning and some of his most memorable experiences. You'll learn a lot about how Eli has built his business, tips he uses to be more efficient and the keys that have been most important for him in building a profitable business.  

In this episode, we talk with Robert Shepherd from the north Birmingham, Alabama area. He has been a blacksmith, tool maker, welder and farrier since 1987. Robert shares how he got his start, his experiences studying under Dr. Doug Butler at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri and lessons he has learned about making tools and Damascus knives.

In this episode, Dr. Butler talks to a group of farriers about turning points in his career and his observations on great achievements in the farrier business. He shares numerous stories and historical insights into how numerous products and techniques have been developed that give a greater understanding to what farriers do everyday. You'll learn many tips on what it takes to master this craft and the historical importance of the most valuable tools and techniques that have been developed over the past fifty plus years.

In this episode, Certified Journeyman Farrier Rollie Gallego of Waialua, Hawaii shares his thoughts and observations on what it takes to balance your life and your farrier business. You'll learn a lot from Rollie on what it takes to achieve balance from his experiences he shared at a Farrier Focus conference several years ago.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Farrier Neil Miller of Brighton, Colorado. He has been shoeing horses since 1975 and specializes in shoeing reiners, and jumpers. Neil shares memorable stories from his career including how he got his start, lessons he has learned from training twenty apprentices, how to be more efficient with your shoeing rig and under the horse, how he got into competing and running a horseshoeing contest, as well as many practical and business tips that can help you run your business better.  

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Robert M. Miller, an equine behaviorist, veterinarian and cartoonist. He is recognized for his system of training newborn foals known as imprint training. Dr. Miller is well known among both veterinarians and cowboy poetry & humor enthusiasts. His cartoons, done under his initials RMM, have been published in veterinary and horse magazines around the world. He has been featured at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame's Cowboy Cartoonist Art Show. After graduation from Colorado State University, Dr. Miller settled in Thousand Oaks, California, where he founded the Conejo Valley Veterinary Clinic.  In 1987, he retired as a renowned veterinarian and expert in ethology (the study of animal behavior). Dr. Miller has visited every continent giving lectures to colleges, conventions for animal groups, horse organizations, breed associations and other clients.   He has received numerous professional awards for his involvement with equine associations, production of videotapes, and lect

In this episode, we talk with Jed Pappas of Stockhoff's Farrier Supply (www.stockhoffsonline.com). Jed talks about how his wife Molly (and her family) purchased Stockhoff's from the Stockhoff family, which started the farrier supply business in 1863 and how they have grown it to four locations today (two stores in Kentucky, New Jersey and Arizona). Jed shares numerous business lessons he has learned from the farrier supply business and how farriers can better run their own businesses. He also shares valuable tips about how you select the best products for your business. You'll get a lot out of this interview on what it takes to run the supply part of your business as well as balancing your family and your business.

In this episode, we talk with farrier legend John Marino of Peaster, Texas. 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 charter member.   He also holds the Certified Journeyman Farrier designation in the AFA and the TPFA (Texas Professional Farrier's Association).  He served as Vice-President of the TPFA for 6 y

In this episode, we talk with Fran Jurga of Gloucester, Massachusetts. She is the founder of Hoofcare Publishing, which was established in 1985 to fulfill a growing global demand for information about the horse's foot that could be accessed by equine professionals, especially farriers and veterinarians, around the world. She is also the creator, publisher and editor of Hoofcare and Lameness Journal and her articles can be read at hoofblog.com. You can find over 1700+ articles there that she has written over the past twelve years.  Fran has won many awards and honors for her work and today offers high-quality reference material for sale and individual consultation services. Fran talks about many of her favorite memories from her career as a journalist (including her start as an editor of the American Farrier's Journal), stories about farriers she has worked with over the years, and her thoughts about the future of farriery.  

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares his insights in how you can learn to enhance your powers of observation and see more so you an properly diagnose and discuss the work you do with your clients and veterinarians. You'll get a lot out of this episode about the importance of seeing more because you have trained yourself to concentrate and see what others may otherwise miss.

In this episode, we talk with farrier and veterinarian Emilio Ezcurra of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has been shoeing horses for more than twenty-five years. Emilio shares his story of how he got started as a veterinarian and his quest to become a farrier including his travels to the United States to study with Danny Ward, Dr. Doug Butler, and many others.  Emilio shares insights about the farrier business in Argentina along with many of his most memorable experiences as a farrier. He also shares his thoughts about why farriers should visit Argentina and his perspective on what it takes to become a great farrier.

In this episode, we’re privileged to talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier and AWCF John Schmidt of Shelbyville, Tennessee. He has been shoeing horses for more than 33 years. He talks about Tennessee walking horses, unique aspects of the breed, and some of the controversy that has arisen in recent years around them. He also shares lessons from his career and some of his most memorable experiences.