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Best Business Practices

Farrier School is a Better Value Than College

September 29, 2011 0 comments

If you want to work with horses and the people who value them, farrier school may be the best opportunity for you. Becoming a farrier is a great career opportunity that is often overlooked in today’s horse industry. Farriers work for affluent people who have discretionary income and have the “horse habit.” There are only [...]

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The Talent Code

August 30, 2011 1 comment

I believe one of the main reasons we hear so much criticism of the lack of farrier skills today is due to a lack of long-term commitment to skill mastery. It seems that many people only want to put in the minimum effort needed to graduate from a farrier school or to make a living. [...]

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Real Balance by Marsha Butler

August 3, 2011 0 comments

One of the most rewarding benefits to me in conducting closing interviews when our students are completing their farrier classes is to hear them say, “I understand Balance now – I never realized it was so important”!  And it is important both to horses and to people. During our Farrier Focus® Conferences, we emphasized the [...]

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Major Challenges Confronting Today’s Farrier

May 20, 2011 2 comments

It’s important to realize that our present situation is a result of our past activities and decisions regarding the challenges that confront us. Many people tend to focus on the past instead of the future. They think about what could have been or should have been. Because they spend their present in the past, they [...]

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Happiness is Starting Your Own Business

March 22, 2011 0 comments

A recent Gallop poll reported by CNN and USA Today revealed that 61% of currently employed Americans, if given the choice, would rather own their own business, rather than work for someone else. Only 38% said they would rather work for someone else. Yet, at the moment, only 10% of adults are self-employed. Why? Unfortunately, [...]

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Doug Butler Farrier Clinic in the Holy Land

December 21, 2010 10 comments

I was invited by Guy Karsh, a former student, to go to Israel to do a clinic for farriers and equine veterinarians. My wife and I traveled there and gave a two and a half day program the last part of November. There were 30 farriers, 27 vets and 33 horse owners in attendance at [...]

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Punching Nail Holes in Horseshoes

September 21, 2010 0 comments

Punching a horseshoe nail hole that is clean so the nail fits tight and is safe for the horse is an art that must be perfected to be useful and practical. The hole must be positioned over the outside of the white line to be safe. The hole should have pitch to match the angle [...]

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How to Choose and Use a Farrier’s Anvil

August 31, 2010 0 comments

The anvil is one of the most important tools used by the farrier. Chances are you will only choose your anvil once. Its choice should be a matter of study as it will affect your work as much as any other tool.  Its use and location should determine your selection.  Types, Makes, and Weights of [...]

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The Future of the Hoof Care Industry – a Mixture of Good News and Bad News

August 23, 2010 3 comments

The future will bring the foot care industry a combination of good news and bad news. The good news is that farrier communication will be better and easier. Publications, the internet, conventions, summits, sponsored clinics and general sharing of knowledge make learning faster and easier. The bad news is that unsound ideas will be spread [...]

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Farrier Competency for Horse Owners by Doug Butler

June 15, 2010 0 comments

I’m often asked how I would define farrier competency. “What should a competent farrier look like?” “How will I know one when I see one?” In the British Isles, they would call such a person “a qualified farrier.” The way a person starts out is generally the way he or she ends up. Attitude is [...]

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