Mullins Farrier Podcast

From a difficult childhood in Brazil to becoming a leading jockey, winning the Queen's Plate, battling addiction and anxiety, and ultimately finding recovery, Eurico Da Silva shares a deeply personal story in this episode. Now a sports psychology coach and author of Racing for Freedom, Eurico opens up about trauma, mental health, performance mindset, and the importance of focusing on what you can control. He also talks about his work with retired thoroughbreds at The Long Run and how horses continue to play a major role in helping people heal. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For more information on Tom Smith's program Forgesmart go to: forgesmart.co.uk Eurico's book Racing for Freedom can be found on Amazon For more information on his coaching and the program Eurico runs at Long Run Stables: eec.horse To hear this episode in its entirety and support the podcast: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

In this episode of Farrier Phone a Friend, Andrew DeVisser, CJF, joins for a wide-ranging conversation covering busy summer schedules, lessons from The Toyota Way, and the new trailer forge, the Fletcher Forge and Tool FFT-200.

They get into forge efficiency, burner design, firebrick durability, vehicle choices, working with veterinarians and X-rays, rising material costs, crushed heels, pads and frog support, and the benefits of having a helper in the field.

Lots of practical ideas, problem-solving, and farrier talk packed into this one.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

For access to the full length episode, subscribe here:

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Marc-Antony Lussier CJF, sat down with Brian at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany to talk about all things farriery. He was there cheering on his partner, the accomplished Dressage Rider Camille Bergeron, as she rode for Canada. They discuss his journey to the CJF and his strategies for overcoming the more challenging components of the exam. They also talk about some difficult cases he has worked on at home while getting immediate objective rider feedback from Camille. Marc-Antony's keenness to learn and improve has taken him far in this trade in a relatively short period of time. And that journey is only beginning. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. To purchase tickets for this year's BFBA Focus: www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk To subscribe for full length episodes: www.mullinsfarrier.supercast.com`

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Hillegas, CJF, a farrier from New Windsor, Maryland, whose nearly 40-year career has been shaped by a commitment to never stop learning.

Matt shares how pursuing his AFA certification after decades of shoeing challenged long-held beliefs and opened the door to becoming a tester and board member. We also talk about shoeing hunters, jumpers, and equitation horses, how small changes can make a big difference in performance, and why slowing down has made him a better farrier.

Matt shares many tidbits of wisdom he has accrued over the years as well as his philosophies on teaching and learning new concepts.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

In this episode, I sit down with Brendan Paulson, CF, to talk about building a stronger future for the farrier industry through his nonprofit, Shod with Love. Created to help farriers access continuing education, certification, and the tools they need to succeed, Brendan shares the inspiration behind the organization and his vision for giving back to the trade.

We also dive into his own path into farriery, the value of certification, running a practice in New Hampshire, handling difficult horses, pricing, travel, and the everyday realities of life under horses. Whether you're just getting started or have been shoeing for years, there's plenty to take away from this conversation.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

For more information on clinics and ways to support Shod With Love go to:

www.shodwithlove.org

For access to this episode in its entirety, please subscribe here:

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In this episode, Brian does a deeper dive into the topic of burnout. Referencing the episode he did on the topic back in the first season, he delivers a more informative account of it's three defined symptoms and six causes according to the research of Christina Maslach. He also relates these symptoms and causes to the farrier trade and offers some advice to mitigate it's effects. In the midst of a busy show season, this is information he hopes will help some of his peers.

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Farrier Major Paul Jones, AWCF, joins the podcast to share his remarkable journey through 24 years in the British Army. Raised in a military family, Paul discusses his deployment to Afghanistan, the devastating IED attack that changed the course of his career, and how his lifelong connection to horses led him into farriery.

Four weeks from retirement from the military and serving at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray, Paul gives an inside look at Army farrier training, exam preparation, and the unique challenges of shoeing both ceremonial and sport horses. With retirement on the horizon and a new chapter ahead in teaching and business ownership, Paul reflects on a career built on service, adaptability, and a passion for the trade.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

For access to the whole episode and many others, please subscribe here:

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This week, I'm joined by Heidi Stoer, CJF, from Midland, Ontario. Known to many as "Bam Bam," Heidi shares her journey from growing up around horses to building a successful farrier business.

We talk about her experience at Heartland Horseshoeing School, the challenges of building a client base, lessons learned working with difficult horses, and the importance of horsemanship and client relationships. Heidi also dives into her AFA certification journey, the persistence it took to earn her CJF, and the study methods, mentors, and resources that helped her along the way.

Whether you're working toward certification yourself or simply enjoy hearing how others have built their careers in the trade, Heidi's story is full of valuable insight, determination, and practical advice.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Abbie Robinson Wyss CMF shares her remarkable journey from joining the British Army in 2014 to becoming the first qualified female farrier in the Army in 2024.

In this episode, Abbie talks about life in King's Troop, the challenges of Army farrier training, balancing ceremonial duties with horsemanship, and the pressure of qualifying through a demanding apprenticeship program. She also discusses her current pursuit of the AWCF and the unforgettable experience of meeting the late Queen and handmaking shoes for the funeral horses.

This conversation offers a unique look at military farriery, dedication to the craft, and the opportunities that come from pushing yourself to the next level.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Subscibe here to hear the full episode and if you do before July 1, 2026, you'll be entered into a draw for a Tyler Joos rounding hammer:

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In this week's episode, Mark Aikens shares a career shaped by education, travel, and resilience. From a non-horsey upbringing and early days in Irish racing yards to earning his farriery qualifications and later a BSc in Farriery Science, Mark reflects on how continued learning has influenced every stage of his work.

He also discusses shoeing endurance horses, international teaching in places like India and Romania, and how a serious shoeing accident led him to develop a "plan B" through tool rebuilding.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

For access to the full length episode, please subscribe here:

mullinsfarrier.supercast.com