From the category archives:

Farrier training

Foal Hoof Care

June 3, 2010 0 comments

Assess the foal’s limbs soon after birth. Most mild limb deformities can be helped by stall rest that limits exercise. Many problems are due to lack of cartilage and bone maturity and will improve with time if the affected areas are not stressed. If there is more than a 5- degree deviation in the limb, [...]

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Learning to Learn – An Important Skill for Equine Professionals

April 29, 2010 0 comments

Learning to learn applies to every phase of life.
Recently I became aware, through an article titled “Divided Attention” by David Glenn published February 28, 2010, in The Chronicle of Higher Education, that many students today are having greater difficulty learning and applying what they’re being taught due to inattention and the illusion of competence that [...]

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New Farrier and Horse Owner Resources

March 9, 2010 0 comments

“Share a little March Gladness…”
We’d be “glad” if you would check out each of our newly designed websites …
www.dougbutler.com – for horseshoeing books and training DVDs
www.butlerprofessionalfarrierschool.com – learn about our facility, staff, curriculum, class schedules, admission requirements, tuition
www.butlerhorseshoeingschools.com – sign up today to receive weekly blogs on humane horse foot care for owners, farriers, and [...]

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Celebrating “March Gladness” at Doug Butler Enterprises

March 2, 2010 0 comments

March is a special month for many reasons – from basketball teams and their March Madness to the glories of Springtime, such as new baby calves on our neighbors’ ranches, early flowers popping their heads up through the lingering snow, and pastures and yards turning green to announce the long winter is over. Yes, Spring [...]

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FAQ #14 By looking at the outside of the horse’s foot, how can you tell what position the P3 bone is inside the hoof, if it’s out of normality or – if so – at what degree? How can you analyze how to trim and what to do in relation to a rotated or tilted bone?

February 20, 2010 1 comment

The best way to tell the position of the Distal Phalanx, or P3, is to have a lateral/medial radiograph of the hoof.  Usually, the foot will have to be placed on a block to get the x-ray beam parallel to the base of the bone.
Without an x-ray, you can look at the slope of the [...]

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Horse Owner and Farrier Expectations

February 5, 2010 0 comments

What should horse owners expect from their farrier?
You, the horse owner, have a right to expect a well-trained and experienced professional to care for your valuable horse(s). Unfortunately, some farriers short-change their education by not acquiring a firm foundation of basic knowledge about their craft. Even those who make the sacrifice to attend a school [...]

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7 Farrier Fundamentals

January 29, 2010 0 comments

It’s important to have a memorized sequence of performing farrier skills so  nothing is left out.  This is the sequence we teach at Butler Professional Farrier School.  The image in the mind guides the craftsman’s hands.  This sequence must be practiced until it becomes a habit.
1. ASSESSMENT
Consider horse, shoe wear, and conditions
2. TRIMMING
Consider position of [...]

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7 Farrier Tips to Increase Value in Customer Relationships

December 30, 2009 2 comments

Here are seven guidelines and important questions to consider in establishing and maintaining good farrier-client relationships.
1.  Be on time for your shoeing appointments.  It is easier to build a good long-term relationship when the first impression is favorable.  If you wish to be successful, you must advertise success.  Are you making a good impression?
2.  Build [...]

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FAQ #10 Do I have to read all the pages in The Principles of Horseshoeing (P3) before coming to your school?

December 15, 2009 0 comments

Answer: You are not required to read all the pages before you arrive.
You’ll find after enrolling and completing the application process that a copy of P3 will be sent to you, and you are at liberty to use your copy to read and study as you wish. There is a homework assignment [...]

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