Esco Buff (Webster, N.Y.)
My lifelong journey with horses began when I was just 16 months old. My great Aunt Doris lifted me onto her horse Dusty at The Devon Horse Show in 1990. My face sparked radiance and I had found home. Now fast forward. 24 years after my aunt won her Devon blue ribbon I carried on a family tradition and won my first blue ribbon in the Dixon Oval with my mare Serendipity.
A few short months after my Devon win, I had an instinct that something just wasn’t right. In September of 2014, I began working with Dr. Esco Buff for both of my horses, Rosstar Superboy and Serendipity. Over the past 20 years owning horses I have worked with lots of professionals. Very few have made lasting impressions, however Dr. Esco Buff, is someone who has done just that. Esco diagnosed Serendipity with LLD, which as an owner, trainer and rider I knew, but everyone I was looking to for answers told me no such thing existed.
After competing as a junior and amateur, in December of 2015 I began my journey as a professional equestrian. In my experience, horses begin at the ground and go up, no matter what breed, type, or discipline they belong to. Horse’s feet are an extremely important part of their anatomy, bearing all of their weight. A whole horse approach is important for proper balance and longevity. In my opinion, working with horses takes a lot of patience, and it is a business where you are constantly learning. When you stop learning or lose the desire to learn, it usually does not produce a good end result for any party involved. Continuing education of the sport is an essential component. I call experiencing new horse shows, services, current trends, disciplines, “professional development.” With my degree in Education, learning is a life-long thing for me. I am always looking to improve and learn something new. I don’t want to have tunnel vision on one discipline either. I have already competed in more disciplines than most care to experience with horses. Several of those disciplines have been accomplished with one horse, Rosstar Superboy.
Esco has exceeded my expectations with my horses. He is very patient and kind to them. Superboy is twenty-seven years old and Esco moves his stands to accommodate all 13.3 hands of him, and make him as comfortable as possible during the visit. He is very patient with Serendipity when she is having a mare moment. He gives the horses short breaks if they need them. Esco is dependable, reliable, flexible, fair and most importantly, honest.
Esco sets a great example by attending “professional development” and it is evident. He always has suggestions and techniques that he is able to share at appointments. Esco, a great speaker, frequently gives lectures to the farrier community. He has talked professionally with my vets and chiropractors as part of my team. His professional development doesn’t just revolve around his work; he has broadened his horizons in the business to make his work the best it can be, and he has certainly broadened my knowledge.
After the initial shoeing with Esco I noticed a change for the better in both of my horses. They are moving in a balanced manner and as a rider I can feel that. They have become much freer in their shoulders. Their daily dispositions have also changed. Serendipity’s attitude when Esco arrives is much different than what it has been in the past. I believe that she truly understands that Esco is there to help her, not hurt her. When my horses are happy and healthy, I am happy, and together we are able to perform to the best of our ability.
I have to stop and remind myself often that I am extremely privileged to be able to work with horses every day. Not everyone gets to work with horses and not everyone can afford to do this. Having the dedication and desire is what allows us horse lovers to continue.
Thank you Esco, and all of the wonderful farriers out there for constantly accommodating your schedules and sacrificing time away from your families. As a professional, owner and rider, I highly respect you and thank you for your service to the industry.
— Nina, Superboy and Serendipity Shaffer (Coatesville, Penn.)
