In this episode, we talk with farrier and knife maker Neal Baggett of Bishop, Georgia. Neal shares his story about how he got started as a farrier and his transition into being a knife maker. He shares tips on selecting a knife, how to best sharpen knives and tips about horseshoeing and the process of knife making as well as numerous stories from his career.

In this episode, we talk with operations manager Josh Garner of GE Forge and Tool. He shares his memories of the history of GE Forge and Tool when his grandparents purchased and ran the business.

He also shares insights into how tools are made, how long new tools take to go from an idea to production, and memorable stories about the innovations GE Forge and Tool has made with nippers and other farrier products over the years. This interview gives a behind the scenes look at tools and how they are manufactured and what goes into putting GE's innovations onto the market.

In this episode, we talk with horse owner and journalist Colleen Archer and her farrier, Adam Ellens, CF of Ontario, Canada about how they work together to help serve the horse's best interests.

Colleen and Adam share insights about setting up proper expectations and how farriers can better communicate with the horse owners and veterinarians help achieve results for the horses they work with on a daily basis. This informative interview will give you valuable insights about how to see things from the other's perspective.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares insights on more foot diseases and conditions of the lower legs of the horse. He shares experiences from his extensive career of what works best when treating complicated cases. This is from a talk that Dr. Butler gave at a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares insights on more foot diseases and conditions of the lower legs of the horse. He shares experiences from his extensive career of what works best when treating complicated cases. This is from a talk that Dr. Butler gave at a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, Certified Journeyman Farrier Nate Allen talks about foot shapes and the relationship of anatomy to trimming the horse's foot. He shares important insights about studies that have been done and the importance of understanding where structures are in the hoof capsule before you start trimming. This talk was given at a previous Farrier Focus conference.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier, Charlie Comstock, of Deerfield, Missouri. He has been shoeing horses for more than 46 years. He started shoeing on July 5, 1972 and turned 18 when he was in shoeing school.

In this interview, he shares his beginnings, how he got into tool making and many stories throughout his lengthy career. Charlie is well known by many farriers as a living legend in the farrier business and it is an honor to learn from him.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler speaks to a group of horse owners and veterinarians about changes that have happened in the farrier industry and how farriers and horse owners can work better together today.

In this episode, from a talk given several years ago by Certified Journeyman Farrier, Tom Parris, shares his keys to running a sustainable and profitable business. While the numbers may have changed slightly in the years since the talk was given, we invite you to carefully consider the principles he shares that will help you reduce your expenses and increase your profitability.

Tom also shares insights about running a multi-farrier practice. We did a previous interview with him about how he runs his multi-farrier practice and invite you to listen or re-listen to this episode as a way to better understand what he covers here.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler continues his explanation of the sensitive structure's of the horse's foot to help farriers and veterinarians better understand the anatomy behind what they do in their work each day.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Butler shares the importance of understanding the anatomy of the horse's foot. He compares the work that mechanics do for an automobile with what a farrier does when shoeing a horse.

This episode shares Dr. Butler's thoughts on the importance of studying and mastering anatomy as farriers. This may be a great review of the structures of the horse's foot or a great start to learning the foot anatomy that will benefit you each day of your farrier career.

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://lifedatalabs.com) and by Butler Professional Farrier School. You can apply to attend upcoming classes by going to: http://butlerprofessionalfarrierschool.com

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier, Austin Edens, from Dripping Springs, Texas. He is widely known as one of the most successful and consistent international farrier competitors in history (including being World Champion) and a popular judge. Austin’s farrier work today is centered on a sport horse client list and challenging veterinary collaborations.

He has been shoeing horses since 1995 and has been working as a farrier, clinician, toolmaker, and contest judge for more than 23 years.

Austin shares his story about how he got his start, memorable experiences from his career, contests he won, advice for farriers about competing, his practice schedule, and what his daily schedule looks like today. You'll learn a tremendous amount from Austin about what it takes to succeed as a competitor and farrier today.

In this episode, we talk with Dani Rueter of Paulina, Iowa. She has been shoeing horses for eight years.

Dani talks about her beginnings as a farrier, her experiences at Butler Professional Farrier School, business lessons she has learned, and her thoughts about what it takes to succeed in the farrier profession.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier Shane Allen of Ocala, Florida who has been shoeing horses for 35 years. He started shoeing horses in 1982 while studying at Northwest Missouri State University under Dr. Doug Butler.

Shane shares his story about how he got started, lessons he has learned as a farrier, the differences between feet in Florida and Pennsylvania, how he ran his farrier business in several states for years, his thoughts on balance in life and with horses, and numerous lessons and experiences from his career.

In this episode, we’re privileged to talk with farrier Steindor Thorisson, who lives in Sweden, but is originally from Iceland. He shares observations about Icelandic horses, their gait and observations about the farrier business in Iceland and Sweden. He also shares how he got his start, his schooling at Butler Professional Farrier School and the commitment it takes to master this craft.

He shares business lessons and his thoughts about the future of licensing in the farrier business, based on what he has already seen happen in Sweden. You'll get a unique perspective on the farrier business in Iceland and Sweden from this interview with a very skilled and talented farrier.

In this episode, we talk with farrier Wayne Preece, FWCF of the Midlands of England. He has been shoeing horses for more than thirty-three years.

Wayne shares lessons he learned from teaching at Hereford College and some of the biggest mistakes he has seen beginning farriers and competitors make from his years of teaching and judging competitions.

He also shares numerous lessons from his years of experience of being a farrier in the United Kingdom and why horsemanship is such a vital skill for farriers to develop.

Today marks a special milestone in that this is the 100th Episode released of the Farrier Focus Podcast. To celebrate this historic moment, Dr. Doug Butler, Jacob Butler, Peter Butler and I reflect on lessons that have been learned and some of our favorite insights and stories that have been shared as we have talked with farriers from around the world. 

This episode shares some lessons that you may want to go back and listen to again (or for the first time) that can help you be a better farrier. In addition, the founders and instructors at Butler Professional Farrier School share their insights on how farriers can learn the skills of anatomy. Thank you so much for listening to the Farrier Focus Podcast over the past 100 episodes! We really appreciate it. If you have feedback or would like to recommend a topic or guest, please email jacob@dougbutler.com. 

In this episode, we talk with Robert Shepherd from the north Birmingham, Alabama area. He has been a blacksmith, tool maker, welder and farrier since 1987.

Robert shares how he got his start, his experiences studying under Dr. Doug Butler at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri and lessons he has learned about making tools and Damascus knives.

In this episode, Dr. Butler talks to a group of farriers about turning points in his career and his observations on great achievements in the farrier business.

He shares numerous stories and historical insights into how numerous products and techniques have been developed that give a greater understanding to what farriers do everyday. You'll learn many tips on what it takes to master this craft and the historical importance of the most valuable tools and techniques that have been developed over the past fifty plus years.

In this episode, Certified Journeyman Farrier Rollie Gallego of Waialua, Hawaii shares his thoughts and observations on what it takes to balance your life and your farrier business.

You'll learn a lot from Rollie on what it takes to achieve balance from his experiences he shared at a Farrier Focus conference several years ago.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Farrier Neil Miller of Brighton, Colorado. He has been shoeing horses since 1975 and specializes in shoeing reiners, and jumpers.

Neil shares memorable stories from his career including how he got his start, lessons he has learned from training twenty apprentices, how to be more efficient with your shoeing rig and under the horse, how he got into competing and running a horseshoeing contest, as well as many practical and business tips that can help you run your business better.  

In this episode, we talk with farrier and veterinarian Emilio Ezcurra of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has been shoeing horses for more than twenty-five years. Emilio shares his story of how he got started as a veterinarian and his quest to become a farrier including his travels to the United States to study with Danny Ward, Dr. Doug Butler, and many others. 

Emilio shares insights about the farrier business in Argentina along with many of his most memorable experiences as a farrier. He also shares his thoughts about why farriers should visit Argentina and his perspective on what it takes to become a great farrier.

In this episode, we’re privileged to talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier and AWCF John Schmidt of Shelbyville, Tennessee. He has been shoeing horses for more than 33 years.

He talks about Tennessee walking horses, unique aspects of the breed, and some of the controversy that has arisen in recent years around them. He also shares lessons from his career and some of his most memorable experiences.

In this episode, we talk with Guy Karsh who lives about 25 minutes outside of Jerusalem in Israel. He has been shoeing horses for 25 years. He shares experiences from becoming a farrier, learning from his father and other mentors, the importance of continuing education for farriers, and memorable experiences he has had while shoeing horses in Israel.

This is a fascinating discussion about how the farrier business works in another country that you can learn a lot from and apply in your farrier business.