Shoeing the Horses at Fort Robinson

June 9, 2011 0 comments

Last month we shod the horses and mules at Fort Robinson State Park for the first time this season. We have been shoeing them for the last three years. They have draft horse teams, mule teams, and saddle horses used for the stage coach, tour wagons, and short and long trail rides in the Soldier [...]

Share
Read full article →

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 [...]

Share
Read full article →

Horseshoes Bring Luck to the Royal Wedding

May 3, 2011 3 comments

The royal wedding in England has captured the attention and imagination of the world. As I watched, Adam Smith’s statement in The Wealth of Nations came to mind, “The chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches….” In spite of the occurrence of other significant world events, “the story book event” took precedence. [...]

Share
Read full article →

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, [...]

Share
Read full article →

What goals have you set as a farrier or veterinarian for 2011?

January 11, 2011 0 comments

January brings a renewed hope for personal and family progress in the new year.  Starting with New Year’s resolutions, this is the time of year when people tend to set goals and make commitments.   Using this traditional time of the year to evaluate the past and plan for the future are worthwhile, healthy pursuits. However, [...]

Share
Read full article →

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 [...]

Share
Read full article →

Driving and Clinching Horseshoe Nails

September 28, 2010 0 comments

Driving horseshoe nails accurately, consistently and safely is a difficult task for the beginner. Some persons have abandoned horseshoeing altogether and become barefoot advocates because of their lack of confidence and skill in this area. It’s sort of like throwing out the baby with the bath. There are times when nothing but nailing on shoes [...]

Share
Read full article →

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 [...]

Share
Read full article →

Farrier Certification – To Certify or Not to Certify – That is the Question

September 14, 2010 5 comments

What value is farrier certification? If the horse owning public doesn’t know what it is, how difficult it is to do the accurate work necessary to obtain it, and the value it has for their horse(s) – it has little value. If it becomes nothing more than a fraternity initiation which includes hazing, it has [...]

Share
Read full article →

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 [...]

Share
Read full article →