Farrier Focus Podcast

In today's episode we talk to Dr. Doug Butler and Dr. Courtney Diehl, DVM to address a question about clogs vs. heartbar shoes. Later, we talk to Leslee Connell Schwartz, daughter of famous horseman, Ed Connell. Ed Connell wrote the books, Hackamore Reinsman, Reinsman of the West – Bridles and Bits, and Vaquero Style Horsemanship. These books are well known among true horsemen and women all over t...

In today's special episode, we speak to Martha Crawford Cantarini, a living legend in not only the horse industry, but the film industry as well. Martha has had a long career with horses and worked as a stunt woman in Hollywood movies such as Yellow Sky, Interrupted Melody, The Big Country, The Law and Jake Wade, Love Me Tender, My Friend Flicka and many, many others. She didn't just do horse stun...

In today's special episode, we commemorate the landmark address that Burney Chapman and George Platt, DVM, gave in Dallas, Texas at the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) meeting in Dallas, Texas 35 years ago today! The 1984 meeting was significant because it was the first time a farrier had ever presented at the AAEP. The presentation given by Burney Chapman who was a Certified J...

In this episode, farrier Michael Joshua shares his philosophy of the horseshoeing business. He started shoeing horses in 1987 and did so until a tragic accident changed the course of his life. He became an investor and returned later to the farrier business. You'll get tremendous insight out of his story and lessons he's learned throughout his career in this episode from a talk given at a past Far...

In today's episode we talk to Cliff Carroll of Larkspur, Colorado. Cliff Carroll is well known today for his anvils and forges that he manufactures and sells at his shop in Larkspur. Cliff shod horses for many years in Canada, Florida and Colorado. He certified with the Journeyman's Union on the race track in Florida where he shod race horses for many years. He worked on several high caliber horse...

In this episode, we talk to Camilla Clawson of St. George, Utah. Camilla works at Intermountain Live Well Center as an Exercise Physiologist. She graduated with a degree in Human Performance management in 2004. She has been a personal trainer and a group fitness instructor as well. She specializes in how to make people feel better through proper balance, breathing, posture and exercise.  Camilla g...

In this episode, Jake Butler, AWCF of Butler Professional Farrier School, gives a presentation at the Farrier Focus Conference in 2006 at Centaur Forge in Burlington, Wisconsin.  Jake discusses how to improve the bottom line of your business by better communicating with your customers, attracting new customers and managing your clientele through good record keeping.   If you would like to contact...

In this episode, Certified Journeyman Farrier, Bill O'Neill of Marengo, Illinois, gives a presentation at the Farrier Focus Conference in 2006 at Centaur Forge in Burlington, Wisconsin.  Bill discusses some helpful business tips to make your shoeing business profitable including: how to communicate with clients, veterinarians and other horse professionals; time management; tool maintenance; ongoin...

In this episode, we talk with farrier legend Bob Marshall about how he developed his skills as a farrier and became a world champion in competition. Bob shares some of his favorite memories about being a farrier, some funny things that have happened to him over the years, and lessons that farriers can learn from to use in their businesses. You'll love Bob's ability to tell a great story and the si...

In today's episode, we talk to Certified Journeyman Farrier, Ted Shanks of Hawaii. He lives on the island of Kauai. Ted is originally from East Tennessee. He is a traditionally trained blacksmith. He is a member of the Artist-Blacksmiths' Association of North America (ABANA) as well as a Certified Journeyman Farrier and Tester for the American Farriers Association.  Ted now lives in Hawaii where h...

In today's episode we talk to internationally acclaimed farrier and teacher, Alan Bailey of England. Alan Bailey began shoeing in 1963. He comes from a long line of farriers and blacksmiths. In 1978, he went to teach at the Hereford College. There, Alan became well-known for his teaching method; especially of anatomy and physiology. He is responsible for raising the standard of excellence in the f...

In this talk given at a Farrier Focus Conference in 2005 in Indiana, Jake Butler discusses how he uses the book, Principles of Horseshoeing 3rd edition to teach. He also gives tips on how individuals can study the book on their own to maximize their learning. At the time, Jake Butler was teaching Farrier Science at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, NM. If you would like to contact us with...

In this episode we talk to Gary Huston of Hertfordshire, England. He is a Farrier, Blacksmith, welder and general fabricator. He started out in 1978 with a four year Farriery apprenticeship, qualifying in 82 with his Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. He worked with his boss for nine years before going solo. In 2006, Gary started a YouTube channel showcasing his many talents and intere...

In this episode, Dr. Courtney Diehl, DVM explains some of the most common equine infectious diseases that horses are usually vaccinated for including: Equine Infectious Anemia, Eastern, Western and Venezuelan Encephalitis, and West Nile. Recently, there have been some confirmed cases of these diseases in horses in the United States. Learn more about what these and other diseases can do to horses a...

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler gives advice on how to successfully market yourself in your business. He gives the secrets to set yourself apart from the competition in order to grow your business. By applying the techniques and strategies he outlines, farriers will be able to attract more customers and increase their bottom line. If you would like to contact us with questions relating to your bu...

In this episode, we talk to farrier legend, Ada Gates-Patton of Southern California. Ada shares her experiences in beginning her farrier career in 1971 to becoming the first woman to ever become a licensed racetrack farrier and member of the International Union of Journeyman Shoers in the United States and Canada. She shares some of her experiences in working on the most famous race horses in the...

In this episode, we talk to Tab Pigg, CJF of Azle, Texas. He started shoeing horses in 1983. He has been very involved in the Texas Professional Farriers Association and became the president in 2000. He has served as a tester for AFA certification and participated in several clinics and contests. For the last several years, Tab has been the Technical Specialist for Vettec. He travels around the co...

In this interview, we talk about how Dave Duckett, FWCF began his career in horseshoeing and discuss the things he has learned along the way. He discusses his championships, how he mastered the skills of farriery, principles of his research regarding Duckett's dot and what he has learned from teaching farriers all over the world.

In this episode, we talk to Wes Earls of Brawley, California. He started shoeing horses full-time in 1970 where he learned from his father who owned and operated a Horseshoeing School there in Southern California. Wes shares many of his experiences, including how he got started, shoeing the horses for the Border Control and many other memorable stories from his career.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier John Sligh of Talkeetna, Alaska, which is about three hours north of Anchorage). He started shoeing at Guantonomo Bay, Cuba in 1970 while he was in the Marine Corps. He practiced in Ocala, Florida from 1978 until he retired 2017. John shares how he got his start as a farrier, lessons from becoming a Certified Journeyman Farrier, competing,...

In this episode, we talk with Danish farrier, Jan Krogh, of Aabenraa, Denmark. He started shoeing horses in 1980 (nearly forty years ago). Jan talks about how he got started, lessons from his career, and his approach to shoeing horses today. He shares his thoughts and observations about farriery in Denmark and what you can do to be a great farrier.  

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier, Jake Engler of Navasota, Texas (which is just outside of Houston) who has been shoeing horses for more than twenty years.  Jake shares his story about how he got started as a farrier, lessons he learned from certification and competing, and memorable stories from his career.

In this episode, we talk with Michael Wildenstein, CJF, FWCF (Hons) of Sharon, Vermont. Mike is retired from teaching farrier at Cornell Vet School in Ithaca, New York and now offers his services as a referral or consulting farrier, working in a hands-on capacity with a horse's current farrier and/or veterinarian for special problems, or to help farriers improve their skill on their home ground wi...

In this episode, Pete Butler, CJF (one of the instructors at Butler Professional Farrier School) shares lessons he learned about horsemanship growing up and while in Mongolia for a couple of years. He shares differences between how horses are used in Mongolia versus other parts of the world and shares insights about how to learn horsemanship skills from around the world.

In this episode, we talk with Scott Colson of Clinton, Mississippi. He started shoeing horses in 1962 and shares lessons he learned as he got started as well as some of the early history of the formation of the AFA and FIA. Scott also shares his thoughts about managing employees and numerous stories throughout his career about what it takes to succeed in the farrier business. Scott is an incredibl...