Farrier Focus Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Doug Butler on how farriers deal with fads and specific criteria you can use to evaluate the numerous fads and doodads that enter the marketplace each year. We also discuss an article Dr. Butler wrote 21 years ago entitled "In Defense of Tradition and Common Sense." He shares stories, experiences, and insights that will help you deal with the fads you encounter in your shoeing work and that clients may ask you to do for their horses.

In this episode, we’re privileged to talk with Loet van der Linden, the founder of Delta Horseshoe Company. He is a manufacturer and supplier of a wide variety of farrier tools and has been involved in the farrier industry for more than 34 years. In our discussion, he covers a wide variety of topics including how shoes and nails are made, the history of the manufacturing of horseshoes and many tips that will be helpful to you in your farrier business.

In today's episode, we talk to Jim Masterson of world-renowned Masterson Method®. Jim, an equine massage therapist for USEF Endurance Teams from 2006 to 2014, teaches a unique method of equine bodywork to therapists and horse owners. When he first became interested in equine massage in 1997, Jim recognized that the horse exhibits certain neurological responses to touch as it releases tension in the body. Using those responses to guide his work, he developed a system in which the horse participates in the process by showing the practitioner where tension has accumulated, precisely how much pressure is needed to release it, and when it has been released. Together with a cadre of instructors worldwide, he offers courses in North America, Europe, the UK, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. His goal? For every horse to experience the Bladder Meridian Technique at least once. You can learn more about the Masterson Method on YouTube and at Jim's website: mastersonmethod.com Also, check out the trailer for a do

In this episode, we interview Certified Journeyman Farrier Blane Chapman of Lubbock, Texas. Blane shares experiences from his more than thirty plus years as a farrier. You'll get a lot of insight into what it takes to be a great farrier by listening to Blane's background and his advice and experiences.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares horseshoeing teaching techniques he has learned over a lifetime of teaching and helping farriers progress from one skill level to another. Don't miss the essential techniques that will help you better teach apprentices and your clients from a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, we talk about the etymology (study of the origin of words) of common horseshoeing terms. By learning the root words, prefixes and suffixes, learning horseshoeing theory and anatomy become easier. We discuss the common Latin, Greek and German words that make up our common horseshoeing terminology. We review the basic hoof structures and discuss how they get their names. If you have a question that you would like answered on a future Farrier Focus Podcast, email us at farrierfocuspodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

In this interview, farrier educator Jacob Butler, CJF, AWCF shares his insights about how farriers can learn and master anatomy and the sequential skill development required to get good at this craft. Jacob shares his journey of deciding to become a farrier, his educational experiences, what it was like being an apprentice to his father and how he developed his passion and mastery of anatomy. You'll gain valuable insights about how farriers learn and memorable stories from his 21 plus years of shoeing as well as what he has learned about assessing and educating new farrier students.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Doug Butler about how he got into horseshoeing, stories from his career, and thoughts about the profession of farriery.

In this episode, we talk with farrier legend Jim Smith of New Hampshire who talks about his experiences as he has shod horses over the past 47 years all over the upper east coast. He shares valuable insights about what it takes to master the craft of farriery, how to prepare for certification, and lessons he has learned over a lifetime of shoeing. His stories, his insights, and his experiences will help you be a better farrier.

In this episode, we talk with farrier legend Doyle Blagg about his horseshoeing career over a 57 year span in Texas. Doyle worked as a farrier to many top Quarter Horse breeders and specialized in cutting horses. He continued on a great tradition of farriers in his family following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. You'll enjoy this episode in which Doyle reminisces on lessons he learned throughout his career.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier Tom Parris of Woodbine, Maryland how to set up and run a multi-farrier practice. Tom has been shoeing horses for more than 53 years and shares a wealth of experience of what it takes to monitor expenses, how to set and raise prices, keys to being more profitable, and numerous experiences from his career that will help you be a better and more successful farrier. If you've been considering starting a multi-farrier practice, you'll get a lot of tips about what common mistakes to avoid and ways to succeed from a master who has been running one of the most successful multi-farrier practices in the United States for the past forty plus years.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Courtney Diehl, an equine veterinarian who published her book Horse Vet, Chronicles of a Mobile Veterinarian in 2014. She has been an equine veterinarian since 2000. She completed a 12 month internship at a private referral practice in Saratoga Springs, NY working primarily with Thoroughbreds. She then owned and operated a solo equine mobile practice in Eagle, CO until 2007, where she partnered with George Platt, DVM. Dr. Platt and Burney Chapman, CJF, were well know for groundbreaking treatment of laminitis using the heart bar shoe. Dr. Diehl went on to complete a Fellowship in Internal Medicine and Critical Care at Hagyard, Davidson, McGee in Lexington, KY in 2007, before returning to Colorado. Dr. Diehl worked closely with Dr. Platt from 2001 until his death in 2011. Diehl and Platt were co-speakers at the AFA annual conference in Portland, OR in 2009. In 2012, Diehl and Cricket McLaren, CF Successfully treated 'the worst laminitis case of their careers,' not only saving t

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler discusses what it takes to build a farrier business that consistently produces six figures plus each year. He discusses highlights from his book Six Figure Shoeing and shares stories and insights into what makes farriers successful in their business.  This episode shares valuable insights on the mindset, business systems and skills necessary for farriers to succeed in today's competitive marketplace.

Today we are honored to have as our guest, Mark Deesing. Mr. Deesing is a custom-design consultant for Grandin Livestock Handling Systems, Inc. in Fort Collins, Colorado. He has designed handling facilities for all types of livestock and poultry, as well as many wildlife species. Mr. Deesing has also worked with Dr. Temple Grandin on many writing projects (including books), research and facility designs. He has a valuable insight into horse behavior and has written extensively on the topic. He knows the importance of horsemanship for farriers, because he trimmed and shod horses for several years before getting into livestock handling systems and research. To check out chapter 7 in Genetics and Behavior of Domestic Animals, by Dr. Temple Grandin and Mark Deesing, you can click here. Mr. Deesing references this chapter several times in the interview.    

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler explains laminitis and how a farrier can recognize its symptoms, diagnose, and treat it. He also explains how farriers and veterinarians should work together to explain the treatment and care to horse owners. In this episode, you'll hear valuable tips, stories, and techniques that will help you treat this condition. You'll also learn how to classify laminitis cases, things you should pay attention to on radiographs, and the best way to discuss treatment options with concerned horse owners.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler discusses a seven point system you can use to discuss cases and work with veterinarians. This discussion of applying advanced anatomy to therapeutic shoeing will give you valuable insights through sound principles and stories about how to take on specific foot diseases as a farrier. You'll get a lot out of this discussion from a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In today's episode, we talk to Dr. Steve Peters, co-author of Evidence Based Horsemanship. Dr. Peters is a Neuroscientist that specializes in brain functioning.He and famous horseman, Martin Black have done a lot of research into understanding the horse's mind. As a horse brain researcher, Dr. Peters has given numerous Equine Brain Science seminars/presentations throughout the U.S. and Canada and performed many horse brain dissections for students. You can check out more about Dr. Peters's work at his website, horsebrainscience.info.  The book and DVD for Evidence Based Horsemanship are available at this website and Martin Black's website, martinblack.net.   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 shares insights of how to recognize and treat club feet in horses. He shares techniques, stories, and strategies you can use to deal with this condition. You'll gain valuable insight from his experiences, his mistakes, and his successes that will help you more successfully deal with this condition in the horses you encounter that have a club foot.

In this episode, Bob Smith of Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School talks about ways you can improve farrier and client communication by understanding how horse owners and horse professionals think. You'll get a lot of insight from this episode from a previous Farrier Focus Conference.

In this episode, Dr. Rachael Shuster, DVM discusses two cases of successful foot therapeutic teamwork. She uses these case studies to talk about how farriers and veterinarians can improve the way they communicate as they work with horses to improve their lives. You'll get a lot out of this episode on how farriers and veterinarians should work together from a previous Farrier Focus conference.