Brandi is an eleven-year-old Pitbull and the loyal assistant to New Jersey farrier Scott Previte during his days on the road. Since she was a puppy, Brandi has been doling out love and affection to everyone she meets. She’s a MagnaWave enthusiast, and ice cream will suffice if there’s no hoof chips around to snack on.
The Dog of the Year contest is meant to both have a little fun and honor the important bond between farriers and their dogs. Photos of Brandi and 11 other top dogs are featured monthly in a 2025 calendar, downloadable for free here.
1. What is the story behind your dog’s name?
Well my first dog many years ago was given to me by another farrier Bob Pethick. We toasted the dog to a shot of Jack Daniel’s and Jack became the name. All family dogs since then have been named after someone’s favorite drink. My daughter chose Brandi.
2. When and where did you get the dog?
Brandi was rescued as a puppy by my daughter. When Brandi was three, we went through a devastating family tragedy at which time Brandi moved in with me and quickly became a beloved farrier dog.
3. When you’re working, does the dog come into the barn or stay in the truck? Does it vary among barns and specific horses?
Brandi is the barn favorite at every account. Seems as if it is her job to show everyone love and happiness. She’s always looking for a friend and being the perfect spokesdog for how Pitbulls really are.
4. Do you have liability insurance concerns with taking your dog on the road?
Liability is always a concern. Most barns are accepting of us bringing our canine companions. I personally bring two, and my assistants each have one of their own. We take the necessary precautions, and our dogs naturally pick up the vibe at every account.
5. Does your dog help you clean up by eating those extra-nutritious hoof scraps at the stops where you work?
The scrap-eating comes in phases. I let it go a little, but I will stop her if I see obsessive eating — guaranteed I’m gonna see it again in two days.
Food Motivated
New Jersey farrier Scott Previte favors a good egg sandwich and some coffee in the mornings, but Brandi doesn't like to pick favorites. According to Previte, she loves all food but is particularly enthusiastic about stopping for ice cream on the road. Image Courtesy of Facebook.
6. What’s the craziest thing your dog has ever done while on the road with you?
She chases down one of my clients, so he will MagnaWave her.
7. If you could have dinner with anybody in the hoof-care world, who would it be and why?
Good question. I’d have to say it would be interesting to get together with the group I graduated shoeing school with back in 1982. This was Bruce Daniel’s last class that he ran at his school. Of course, I would love to have Bruce at the table for dinner. Unfortunately I have not kept in contact with anyone from that class but could be an interesting conversation as to everyone’s experiences and journey in this industry.
8. How long have you been shoeing and how did you get started?
Graduated shoeing school in 1982 from Bruce Daniel’s South Jersey School of Horseshoeing. I attended shoeing school after graduating high school. Prior to that, I fell in love with the idea of becoming a farrier when I saw the farrier at work at the barn I grew up working on. He and a few other farriers let me watch and pull some shoes.
9. What type of shoeing or trimming do you specialize in?
No single specialty as long as they have four hooves. Primarily pleasure horses, hunters, jumpers and dressage horses.
10. Do you normally have another person in the barn when trimming and shoeing? (your dog doesn’t count)
Yes. I take apprentices and assistants with me.
11. What brand, model and year was your first farrier truck and how many miles and years did you drive it?
My first set up was a 1975 bed off of a Chevy pickup truck pulled by my 1982 Toyota 3/4 ton pickup. I later turned the Toyota into the shoeing rig. Ran that to 175,000 miles then in 1990 bought a 1985 Chevy box van off of John Blombach when he upgraded his rig.
12. What has been the major key to your success as a farrier over the years?
Being fortunate to have been exposed to several top farriers when I got started and getting great advice and guidance.
13. What one piece of advice would you have for someone just graduating from farrier school?
Work for as many other farriers as you can. Learn from each the good & the bad and develop yourself. Also, do not ride the highs too high or the lows too low in your journey.
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