Farrier Focus Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Allie Hayes of HorseScience.com about how she got started as a farrier, her interest in horse anatomy, and how she began processing horse feet and limbs to help farriers, veterinarians and horse owners see what is really happening inside the foot structures of the horse.

She shares some of the lessons she has learned from studying, processing, and teaching anatomy through these invaluable resources. She also details some of the trial and error experiences she has had in learning how to best process these models to showcase anatomy in the best ways. Learn more and get a hoof model for your practice by going to www.HorseScience.com.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier and AWCF, Gerard Laverty. He is the instructor of the Farrier Program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia. He has been shoeing horses for more than 40 years in several different countries.

In this episode, we talk with Walter Varcoe about his work as a farrier and his interest in equine skeletons.

Walter was a professional rider and equine manager for the New York State Department of Corrections as well as their only farrier until his retirement in July 2006. In addition to his normal duties Walter also served as their equine instructor, teaching inmates the proper care of horses as well as teaching many of the inmates the art of farrier work. This not only allowed the animals to receive better care, but taught a valuable skill that those men could use throughout their lives.

During his tenure, Walter also ran the commercial composting operation at the Otisville Correctional Facility where the first horse to become a skeleton was processed. A patrol horse on duty had been kicked by another horse and had it's leg broken. Unfortunately the injury was so devastating that the patrol horse had to be euthanized. It was from this incident that the first skeleton came to be. With the help of his crew the carcass was placed in a static aerated compost pile and allowed to compost for several months and over the following winter the first skeleton mount was built. That first mount still proudly stands today at the Otisville C.F. Horse Barn office, teaching others the value of equine skeletal anatomy. Later, another mount was crafted by Walter for the New York City Police Mounted Unit and it stands at their Remount Training Facility in the Bronx, NY.

After his retirement from the Corrections Department Walter began a full-time career as a farrier. At the prompting of many of his NYPD friends Walter began doing small educational seminars using his skeletal displays. Those seminars were well received and Walter began to get more requests for speaking engagements and for the purchase of his unique articulated mounts.

The demand for his expertise and his skeletal mounts has grown rapidly and has taken Walter all over the country as he lectures about equine anatomy. By using his unique mounts Walter can let participants lay their hands what others can only diagram in books or on posters. From schools to barns these mounts are being used to help people care for their horses better than ever. Walter continues to put what he has learned from these skeletons into daily use as he maintains his farrier business for select clients. You'll get a lot of insight from this episode about horse anatomy and from Walter's experiences as a farrier that can help you in your daily work.

In this episode, we talk with Certified Journeyman Farrier, Jim Quick of Niwot, Colorado who has been shoeing horses for more than 27 years.

Jim shares his start as a farrier, his education at Colorado State University including studying with Dr. Doug Butler in Colorado, his beginnings into competitive shoeing, and lessons he has learned through numerous mentors he has had over the years.

He shares insights into what it takes to be the best at this craft in terms of time and practice and his perspective now that he has had the opportunity to judge as well as compete. Jim shares numerous stories and lessons from his career that farriers can learn from especially when it comes to insurance for your shop and business.

He also shares his experiences of working with and observing horses in Mongolia when he was there fifteen years ago. You'll get a lot out of this interview with a farrier educator who is deeply interested in the process of learning and what it takes to master the skills of farriery.

He has been shoeing horses for more than thirty years and shares lessons he has learned throughout his career, his insights into how farriers learn, and the best methods he has found work when teaching anatomy and the skills of farriery. He also shares insights on how he recovered from a serious injury and his thoughts about the future of the farrier business.

You'll get a lot out of this episode about how farriers learn, mistakes farriers should avoid when shoeing, and some hilarious and inspiring stories from Bob's career as a farrier and educator.

You'll gain some great insights from Bryan's experience on how to relate better to horse owners, the importance of farrier/client communication, and some of his most memorable experiences.

Dan talks about lessons he has learned through the years, insights into the history of tools and manufacturing, how he developed the specialty of working and shoeing with aluminum, some of his most memorable experiences, and his views on licensing and certification.

Todd shares valuable lessons from injuries he has received as a farrier, how he learned to balance work and his family, and his thoughts on how to succeed long-term in the farrier business. There are lots of valuable insights and experiences to learn from here regardless of how long you have been working as a farrier.