Farrier Focus Podcast

In this episode, we interview Dr. Doug Butler about the assessment and treatment of navicular syndrome. You'll learn what causes navicular syndrome and what the farrier can do to ease a horse's pain who has this condition. In Dr. Butler's trademark style, he shares case studies, examples, and insights that will be helpful to you in your daily work.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler discusses the seven stages of applied learning in horseshoeing and how you can use these to better assess and teach those who are students, apprentices, or horseshoeing clients. You'll get a lot of insight about teaching from this discussion that Dr. Butler led in a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler talks to a group of farrier and veterinarians about how to balance high tech horseshoeing solutions with traditional techniques. Dr. Butler begins by sharing numerous experiences from his beginnings in horseshoeing as well as lessons he has learned over the years from teaching farriers and veterinarians. This episode is sponsored by Life Data Labs, Inc. ( https://l...

In this episode, taken from a talk that Dr. Doug Butler gave at Farrier Focus Conference at Centaur Forge in Burlington Wisconsin, Dr. Butler talks about different types of anvils. He discusses: use and location, height and position, anvil stands, and stance and safety.  The anvil is one of the most important tools a farrier has to ensure accurate fitting and proper modification of shoes. Dr. Butl...

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares seven strategies to help you prosper in your farrier business. He uses the acronym of PROSPER to go through seven specific areas of your business that you must consider and pay attention to in order to grow a more successful and prosperous business. This was given at a talk at a previous Farrier Focus conference several years ago.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares insights to a group of farriers and veterinarians how to look and see conformation deformities and what can be done to help horses that have these different conditions. Dr. Butler shares numerous experiences and techniques on observation that will help you better assess the horses you work with on a daily basis.

In this episode, we talk about the etymology (study of the origin of words) of common horseshoeing terms. By learning the root words, prefixes and suffixes, learning horseshoeing theory and anatomy become easier. We discuss the common Latin, Greek and German words that make up our common horseshoeing terminology. We review the basic hoof structures and discuss how they get their names. If you have...

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler discusses a seven point system you can use to discuss cases and work with veterinarians. This discussion of applying advanced anatomy to therapeutic shoeing will give you valuable insights through sound principles and stories about how to take on specific foot diseases as a farrier. You'll get a lot out of this discussion from a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler continues his discussion on balance by discussing functional balance and how it relates to geometric balance which was discussed in a previous Farrier Focus podcast episode. This discussion from a previous seminar can be used in conjunction with studying Chapter 38 of The Principles of Horseshoeing III.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares his observations about the early history of horse training. Many of the misconceptions that exist in the minds of horse owners about horse training have arisen in recent years. Dr. Butler talks about how to effectively train and work with horses and key horsemanship skills that all farriers must develop. You'll get a lot out of this discussion on the nature...

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler talks about the basic fundamental skill of farriery of geometric balance. You'll get a lot out of this discussion that Dr. Butler conducted as part of a teleseminar with his son Jacob Butler. You may want to use Chapter 9 of The Principles of Horseshoeing III as a further resource for better understanding and applying this topic in your daily work.

In this episode, Dr. Butler shares lessons he has learned over a lifetime of working with horses and tips that can help you be a better farrier.

In this episode, you'll hear a discussion that Dr. Doug Butler had with a group of farriers and veterinarians on eight specific foot diseases including abscesses, white line disease, keratoma, canker (and the rare coronitis), quittor, pedal osteitis, osteomyelitis, and low ringbone. These correspond to pictures and additional information that can be found in Chapter 39 of The Principles of Horsesh...

In this episode, Dr. Frank Gravlee of Life Data Labs and Dr. Doug Butler discuss the treatment of founder. You'll get a lot of great insights from this informative discussion from a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares insights of how to recognize and treat club feet in horses. He shares techniques, stories, and strategies you can use to deal with this condition. You'll gain valuable insight from his experiences, his mistakes, and his successes that will help you more successfully deal with this condition in the horses you encounter that have a club foot.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler explains how drawing helps you learn to see so you can do a more efficient shoeing job. He talks about the mind shifts successful farriers make and outlines exercises that can help you be more efficient in your work. He also discusses balance and which dimension is easiest and most difficult for farriers to learn. He also shares stories and experiences about how he...

In this talk given at a Farrier Focus Conference in 2005 in Indiana, Dr. Doug Butler discusses Cushings disease and some principles for treating the laminitis and founder that often follow. Cushings disease is a hormonal imbalance caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland in the brain that causes a horse to produce too much ACTH (Adreno Cortico Tropic Hormone) which regulates cortisol levels in the...

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler explains laminitis and how a farrier can recognize its symptoms, diagnose, and treat it. He also explains how farriers and veterinarians should work together to explain the treatment and care to horse owners. In this episode, you'll hear valuable tips, stories, and techniques that will help you treat this condition. You'll also learn how to classify laminitis cases...

In this episode, we're privileged to talk with Steven Beane, FWCF of North Yorkshire, England. Steven is a five-time World Champion Blacksmith, three-time European Champion and three-time British National Champion. He has been selected for the English farrier team 16 consecutive years and is a renowned judge and clinician.  Steven talks about how he got his start as a farrier, his practice regimen...

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler talks about the criteria a farrier should use when selecting which therapeutic shoe option should be utilized for different foot conditions. You'll get a lot out of this episode from a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler discusses what it takes to build a farrier business that consistently produces six figures plus each year. He discusses highlights from his book Six Figure Shoeing and shares stories and insights into what makes farriers successful in their business.  This episode shares valuable insights on the mindset, business systems and skills necessary for farriers to succeed...

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares ways you can increase your value and double your income as a farrier. This is from a talk Dr. Butler gave several years ago at a Farrier Focus conference. We hope you will consider the questions and ideas he shares here to improve your skills and increase your value so you can double your income in the next twelve months.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler talks about how to diagnose and treat abscesses and what a farrier can do when working with a veterinarian to help the horse heal properly. This informative interview includes lessons, stories, and practical principles you can use in your daily work.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares principles for shoeing gaited horses. He shares numerous lessons he has learned throughout the years of shoeing these horses and specific applications when dealing with club feet and quarter cracks. You'll get a lot of insight from this talk given at a previous Farrier Focus conference based on Dr. Butler's failures and successes with these horses over the y...

In this episode, we talk with Scottish farrier Jim Ferrie. He is a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers and is also an appointed Examiner and Approved Judge of the Company. He was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame in 2003 in recognition of distinguished accomplishments, achievements and contribution in advancing the farrier industry. He started shoeing in 1969. Jim,...