Was great to jump on with another guest from across the pond, Toby Pedley! Toby comes from a multi-generational farrier family and from an early age he grew up watching his dad shoe horses so he grew quite an interest in the trade and started learning as early as 11 years old. Granted, there's rules and regulations over in England so he couldn't actually shoe any horses until he was licensed but was immersed in the trade with his mentor Gary Harlow who lived just down the road. Since then, it has been a goal of Toby's to earn a spot on the England Farrier Team and this year he qualified, earning his spot on the team! This was a fun conversation with Toby and hope you enjoy it too.

Thanks to Steven Beane for getting us set up with a mic over in the UK and help show your support by checking out his tool line at www.beanietools.co.uk if you're across the world or www.wellshod.com if you're in the US!

Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com

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Farrier training and education in the United States can be a touchy subject amongst people in our trade. Whether or not 6-8 weeks is long enough for someone to be able to successfully learn all the skills needed to become a successful farrier or if attending a school that has a large amount of students at that time if you're going to be able to get enough attention from the instructor to learn the valuable skills needed. This episode isn't about dogging on the current farrier schools we have in the US. This episode is about the farrier school that Brian Strelow has developed to be more hands on and attentive from the instructor to give you the best possible options of becoming a successful farrier. Brian developed a 6 month curriculum for two students at a time to attend where they can gain so much exposure and education in that amount of time without feeling left out or possibly missed. The biggest thing i learned someone can gain from his school is the amount of exposure one will get by enrolling in Brian's school. Check out wis website- www.straydogforge.com to find out more details about how to enroll or if you know someone who is thinking about attending a farrier school.Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.comOur Proud Sponsors of the Showwww.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off your first month's order!www.well-shod.com use code BRAINS for a surprise product in your order!www.worldchampionshipblacksmiths.com use code BRAINS for 10% off in their online store! (not including membership/contest entry fees)www.yukonforge.com use code BRAINS for 10% off your order!

This was a great conversation we had with Brian Buckner! We learned a lot from him how even when life can dang near cripple you... literally! That through faith, dedication, community and hard work you can pick yourself up and still accomplish and achieve life long goals you've set out for yourself. There's a bunch of inspiring moments Brian shared with us that I think people will like to hear and apply to their lives. There's also a big part of joining the AFA that helped Brian become the successful farrier that he is today that resonated with me when he told us his story. Coming together with a group of like minded individuals is a great way to achieve things in life that you set out for yourself.Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.comOur Proud Sponsors of the Showwww.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off your first month's order!www.well-shod.com use code BRAINS for a surprise product in your order!www.worldchampionshipblacksmiths.com use code BRAINS for 10% off in their online store! (not including membership/contest entry fees)www.yukonforge.com use code BRAINS for 10% off your order!

While we were at Well-Shod for the WCB Winter Clinic, we were fortunate to sit down with someone who knows a lot of history about competing at Calgary when it was held at the Stampede grounds, Marshall Illes! There were some stories i was surprised to hear in this episode.

Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com

Our Proud Sponsors of the Show

www.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off your first month's order!

www.well-shod.com use code BRAINS for a surprise product in your order!

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www.yukonforge.com use code BRAINS for 10% off your order!

First episode for the new year of 2026! We were at Riley's shop last week and discussed what we have done over the past year with Troy Wood. Troy was Reserve World Champion in 2025 but also wrapped up and won the 2025 National Championship this winter in Ft Worth, Texas hosted by the World Championship Blacksmiths. Jam packed year with Troy and myself qualifying for the 2026 WCB Team along with teammates Stan Mullen and Mason Mileski. We talk a little about what that dynamic is going to be like in this episode. And we announce what Riley and Gavine's demo is going to be at the Winter Clinic this week on thursday! Looking forward to seeing you all there and meeting some new folks at the WCB Winter Clinic hosted at Well-Shod in Amarillo, Texas!

Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com

Our Proud Sponsors of the Show

www.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off your first month's order!

www.well-shod.com use code BRAINS for a surprise product in your order!

www.worldchampionshipblacksmiths.com use code BRAINS for 10% off in their online store! (not including membership/contest entry fees)

www.yukonforge.com use code BRAINS for 10% off your order!

Our first "across the pond" episode! This week's guest is none other than the now 6-time World Champ, Steven Beane. It was great to hear how Steven got into this trade and learn about the ambition he has had since a young age. Carving his own spot in history as one of the most decorated farriers in our industry. In this episode you'll hear how Steven prepped himself to win his first world championship up until his most recent, the 6th title, this past September at Spruce Meadows in 2025. Something i thought to be incredible is amongst all the competing Steven has done throughout the years, he maintains a full book of horses regularly and told us that number is 800 horses! Unbelievable. Thanks to Steven for getting us set up with a mic over in the UK and help show your support by checking out his tool line at www.beanietools.co.uk if you're across the world or www.wellshod.com if you're in the US!

Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com

Our Proud Sponsors of the Show

www.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off your first month's order!

www.well-shod.com use code BRAINS for a surprise product in your order!

www.worldchampionshipblacksmiths.com use code BRAINS for 10% off in their online store! (not including membership/contest entry fees)

www.yukonforge.com use code BRAINS for 10% off your order!

Travis Koons is back! Our first episode with Travis wasn't long enough so we wanted him back to continue sharing more of what Master Koonzagi has to offer! We talked a little bit about what Travis has been up to since we last spoke to him and also the business side of shoeing, shoeing horses with concave and the many benefits and side effects flat wide shoeing affects a horse's limb/hoof, and vet to farrier communications how we can be more professional as a whole amongst each other. So buckle up and enjoy this great conversation we had with Travis Koons!

Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com

Our Proud Sponsors of the Show

www.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off your first month's order!

www.well-shod.com use code BRAINS for a surprise product in your order!

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www.yukonforge.com use code BRAINS for 10% off your order!

We've had a month to reflect on what has happened in the past 30 days ish.. And I was able to compete at 3 different contests in that time, the Blacksmith World Championships at Spruce Meadows, Farriers of Washington State Fall Conference, and the Virginia State Fair World Championship Blacksmiths competition. We talked about what happened at those contests, the highs and the lows, and what was learned through those events. Riley had guest, Andrew Neilson, out to his place for an elk hunt and was able to go hunt rams in Texas as well. All in all it was a busy month and we broke down what happened as to why we haven't had a podcast out for you in a hot minute. Also, let us know who you think would be a great line-up for our 100th episode! And we've also got a cool deal that we'll post about in the near future about a "forging kit giveaway" by purchasing a Forging Brains T-shirt. So stay tuned for details about that soon.

Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com

Our Proud Sponsors of the Show

www.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off your first month's order!

www.well-shod.com use code BRAINS for a surprise product in your order!

www.worldchampionshipblacksmiths.com use code BRAINS for 10% off in their online store! (not including membership/contest entry fees)

www.yukonforge.com use code BRAINS for 10% off your order!

Another solo pod with Riley and myself! This time we're chatting about my journey to Spruce Meadows this year so far. The trials and tribulations of practice, what all the classes are at Spruce, how I have been preparing myself, and what are some of my goals for this year. We'll try and do a recap episode after Spruce to talk about how the week went for me and others as well.

Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com

Our Proud Sponsors of the Show

www.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off your first month's order!

www.well-shod.com use code BRAINS for a surprise product in your order!

www.worldchampionshipblacksmiths.com use code BRAINS for 10% off in their online store! (not including membership/contest entry fees)

www.yukonforge.com use code BRAINS for 10% off your order!

We've got a special guest this week with Jennifer Horn. You'll hear in this episode that Jennifer had the determination from day 1 to become a successful farrier and blacksmith. She managed to build a successful business, become a Certified Journeyman Farrier and compete at farrier contests while raising a family and managing a horse farm. A lot of people have seen the great works of art she has created as a blacksmith and is always generous to donate elaborate pieces to associations auctions to help raise funds. In the northern part of Michigan she has figured out a way to manage a farrier business and operate a blacksmith shop, which I Imagine isn't very easy to do. We enjoyed talking with Jennifer on this episode and hope you enjoy the listen!

Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com

Our Proud Sponsors of the Show

www.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off your first month's order!

www.well-shod.com use code BRAINS for a surprise product in your order!

www.worldchampionshipblacksmiths.com use code BRAINS for 10% off in their online store! (not including membership/contest entry fees)

www.yukonforge.com use code BRAINS for 10% off your order!