Among hundreds of attendees at the 2023 International Hoof-Care Summit, Dallas Risser was lucky enough to have his name drawn to spend a “ride-along” trimming, shoeing and forging day with veteran Vermont farrier Mike Wildenstein.
The Oakland, Md., farrier works mainly with backyard horses, trail horses, roping horses and barrel horses. Shoeing full-time for 14 years, his work includes regular visits to five boarding facilities.
Great Learning Experience
Risser later sent the American Farriers Journal staff a thank you note for organizing this special Summit-sponsored learning opportunity, along with a brief run-down of the time spent with International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member Wildenstein.
“Mike arrived on a Tuesday evening, had dinner with us and spent the night at our place,” says Risser. “This was great because it allowed me to pick his brain on several farrier topics, such as the importance of conformation and how he evaluates each horse before trimming and shoeing.”
After continuing their hoof-care conversation over breakfast the next day, they drove to a nearby barn where Risser had two horses to shoe and two others to trim.
“Mike coached me intently through all four horses,” says Risser. “Mike shared his trimming technique, which was a whole new concept for me in learning how to balance the foot and was much different than what I was doing. He also showed me numerous ways to make my work easier and better. And I appreciated the fact he was there to help me and not to criticize my work.”
Hands-On Learning
After lunch, they headed to Risser’s shop where Wildenstein offered valuable ideas on forging and shoemaking.
“When it comes to forging, I have very limited skills,” adds Risser. “Mike spent a considerable amount of time showing me tips, tricks and basic shoemaking skills.”
After the shop work, they had dinner and later talked about many aspects of the farrier business based on Wildenstein’s years of experience as the horseshoeing instructor at Cornell University and his continued work as a farrier. He spent a second night at the house before leaving the next morning.
Risser took an extraordinary approach to launching his farrier career.
“During my senior year in high school, I took an Illinois State University textbook course dealing with farrier work,” he says. “I talked the high school staff into letting me take this shoeing course in place of a foreign language requirement and later continued my education by riding with area farriers.”
He broke into the business on a part-time basis and has been shoeing full-time since 2009.
Priceless Work Day
Risser says the day was a fantastic learning experience and he felt honored to spend time with Wildenstein.
“Thanks again for giving me the chance at this great learning experience at last winter’s International Hoof-Care Summit,” says Risser. “Mike had a lot to offer and is very knowledgeable about the farrier business, but was still humble enough to sweep the floor with the horses we worked on.”
“The time spent with Mike was priceless. It was worth much more than $1,000 to me. And I hope to be able to spend another day with Mike sometime in the future.”
Your Chance
A day with Mike Wildenstein is valued at $1,600! Want your chance at winning?
When you register for the upcoming 22nd annual International Hoof-Care Summit by Dec. 31, 2024, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for the chance to have International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer Mike Wildenstein spend a day working alongside YOU with YOUR clients!
The 2025 Summit will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, Jan. 21-24, 2025, and offers dozens of hours of solid solutions to your most critical challenges from expert farriers, equine vets and hoof researchers. Plus, get a first look at 2025’s newest and best products at the world's largest hoof-care Trade Show. And profit from unlimited “face-to-face” hallway networking time with the giants of the footcare profession.
Come see for yourself why past attendees say they take home an average of $4,576 in ready-to-use ideas!
Join us this January for non-stop hoof-care learning and be sure to save your seat by Dec. 31 for your chance to win this career-changing experience with Wildenstein!
