A farrier’s relationship with a barn needs ongoing management. However, to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship that lasts for a long time, your first contact is critical.
As a farrier, you don't have to like Blake Primm. You don't have to like how he and other Tennessee Walker farriers shoe their clients' horses with padded packages. But if you are a horseshoer, you should be concerned about how the government investigated hoof-care practices in his case.
Several years ago, Dave Ferguson decided he no longer wanted to dedicate an expensive pickup truck 100% to shoeing work. As a result, the Cambridge, Md., shoer switched to a shoeing trailer that he could unhook when he wanted to use the truck for other purposes.
On a fall Southern California day in 2009, Pat Barrett set out to do what he had done thousands of times over more than 45 years — trim horses' hooves.
A California farrier with 45 years of experience was hired to trim a horse’s hooves. While working in an outdoor corral, the horse knocked him down and his head hit a rock. He died from his injuries and his estate sued the horse owner, who also owned the property. The trial court dismissed the case and the California Court of Appeals agreed.
It’s not the farrier’s job to train the horse, but sometimes it’s necessary, especially when the client is a novice horse owner. Farriers want to work with the horse safely and improve its tolerance of foot handling.
Before purchasing a horse, it is common for buyers to contact a veterinarian for advice on the animal prior to the sale. Wise buyers also will seek the expertise of a farrier during the evaluation. After all, farriers are the ultimate experts on the hooves and these days it is increasingly important for owners to understand the hoof health in relation to the rest of the horse.
Keep it simple. It’s a popular adage, particularly among farriers. Ironically enough, keeping it simple isn’t really simple at all. Simplicity is the result of organization, tough choices and hard work. Yet, once it’s achieved, the rewards are plentiful.
A video is making the rounds on social media and getting a fair amount of attention in the equine community. Yet, it’s deserving of greater consideration among farriers. Although it’s not an easy video to watch, it’s a must-see for those who work around horses day-in and day-out.
In this episode, Mark Ellis, a Wisconsin farrier who learned the ropes with Renchin, recalls Red’s relationships with area veterinarians, his legacy and the second career as American Farriers Journal’s technical editor.
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Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.