This week, Danny Elliott, a skilled farrier from North Yorkshire and the man behind the Silverback Chap Company shares his career journey. Danny talks about how his sister's connection to horses and subsequent loss of interest shaped his path, the challenges he faced during his apprenticeship, and what it takes to build a reputation in the farrier community.

He also discusses the balance between work and personal life, the story behind his Silverback Chap Company, and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning.

Tune in to hear Danny’s thoughtful insights and experiences in the farrier world.

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From growing up with horses in Danville, Illinois, to earning numerous farrier certifications including CJF, TE and AWCF, Steve Sermersheim shares his journey of dedication, mentorship, and lifelong learning. 

When his brother left horseshoeing, Steve stepped in, taking a crash course in the craft, and never looked back. From competitions and clinics to teaching and mentoring the next generation of farriers, Steve’s story highlights the power of continuous learning and giving back to the community.

Meet Stuart Muir, a dedicated farrier at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, originally from New Zealand, who has traveled the world refining his craft. From sport horses to therapeutic cases, Stuart shares his journey of growth, mentorship, and the challenges of working on high-performance horses.

We dive into his transition to the U.S. with just two suitcases, the evolution of the farrier industry, and his passion for elevating hoof care through innovation and collaboration.

This conversation is packed with insights, heartfelt stories, and a genuine appreciation for the art of farriery. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Tune in to hear about Stuart’s remarkable experiences and his thoughts on the future of the profession.

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 Welcome, everyone.  I ran into today's guest at the International this year while cheering on her husband Steven and the rest of the English team as they competed their way to the top. While most, if not all, of the farrier world is likely to know the world champion and top toolmaker, Steven Beane, they may not be familiar with his wife, and fellow Canadian, Kathrine who is a mover and shaker in the farrier world in her own right. 

Since taking over the daunting task of organizing and running the Masters Cup competition in her home province of Quebec, it has become one of, if not the largest, competitions in Canada, drawing competitors from all over North America and across the pond.  We also discussed Kathrine's start in the farrier world, accumulating many mentors along the way, her present, living in England with her new beau, and her future plans with Beanie Tools and life in general.

I appreciate that Kathrine took the time to do this. It was a deeply honest and insightful chat. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. 

Here is a link to sign up for the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information.

Today's episode comes out on the eve of the AFA convention, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is a PSA of sorts and will be available to paid and unpaid members of the podcast. I've had this thought for years that people don't appreciate or aren't aware of how much goes on behind the scenes of their associations to make these important entities run as smoothly and efficiently as they do. The two women in this interview play one of the most important roles in that system, but ironically they are so effective at their jobs that we barely think of them. I separately asked both Martha of the American Farriers Association and Holly of the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association a few years ago to do an interview to help their members understand what it is they do and who they are. They both politely brushed me off, but to be fair, I asked them in the midst of their busiest time of year during their respective conventions. Eventually though, they made me a counter offer, an interview with both of them together. It was a brilliant idea.  So, as FOCUS was winding down this year, we sat down amidst all of the controlled chaos of the event teardown and had this chat. All of the competition's shoes were in the same room as us, so you will hear them clinking away as Jed Hallam and his team of scorekeepers inventoried and put them away. Thanks to my hosts at the BFBA, I had the opportunity to do so many fantastic interviews at FOCUS this year. You will hear those in the coming months. My face hurt the most from laughing at this one though. The bond between Martha and Holly is clearly strong and reflective of the bond between the AFA and the BFBA, which has benefited all of their respective members and the trade as a whole. So, if you're at convention this year and see either of these two incredible women, please thank them for all that they do for us or call or email them to do the same, just not in the week leading up to Convention or Focus. They're a bit busy then. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information.

If you have any issues please email [email protected]

For this episode, I've come to realize that after years of interviewing fellow farriers, I struggle at interviewing the suppliers in our business.

I think it's because I don't know enough of the background of that world to ask the right questions. Due to these struggles, this interview ended up being a shorter format than my typical long form. But in the end, I hope I was able to do Steve and his company justice in telling his story about a brand we are all familiar with in the farrier world.

You will hear the familiar tinging of anvils in the background as we recorded this down at Vern Powell's Puerto Vallarta clinic in Mexico last year. I hope to see him again this year on the same trip. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

Here is a link to sign up for the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information.

If you have any issues please email [email protected]

Today's guest has played a large role in helping a group of super keen Mexican farriers to better themselves and pursue the AFA exam.  I met Ellie-May Buckland on my first trip to England. She introduced herself and said, I hear you're joining us in Puerto Vallarta this year. I was indeed and got to spend a lot of time getting to know her on that trip.  I tried multiple times to get her to do an interview, but to no avail. But ask anyone with a restraining order on me, and they'll tell you I am persistent. Last December in Mexico, we finally had that conversation.  Ellie-May drops so many tidbits of wisdom during this chat. We talked a lot about setting client boundaries and adhering to them. As well as maintaining a healthy work-life balance. So typical, it's the seemingly quiet folks who have all the best advice to share once you get them talking.  I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. 

Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information.

If you have any issues please email [email protected]

Welcome, everyone.  Well, I'm about at the midpoint of my English farrier tour, had a great time at Focus and The International, and got a lot of fantastic interviews done. Stay tuned for those. As it goes at that type of event, I had a lot of fun and interesting conversations with fellow farriers, both on and off the mic.

My esteemed tour guide, Danny Bennett, took me with him to Hereford College and I got to spend some time with the students in the Forge and the classroom. It's hard not to be envious of the facility and the program that they get to attend there.  As an added bonus, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, was visiting the college at the same time and I got to meet and converse with him on his tour of the Forge.  It doesn't get more British than that. 

For those who haven't heard Danny's episode with me on the Lockdown Farriery podcast, I'm sticking around England for a little longer to attempt the associate exam of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. I've been prepping for it for a few years now. But this year, I've been focusing a lot of effort on it. With multiple trips down to the Heartland to get lots of help from Chris and Cody, and then attending a Jonathan Nunn clinic down there as well. I was also fortunate enough to get Danny to fly over to Canada for some of his tutelage as well. I can't emphasize enough how much going through the process of pursuing certification and higher level exams has done for me. It's the challenge, the learning, the progress, and it's the people.  I have had so many people offer me help, insights, and tools in big ways and small.  The Farrier family is a real thing, and they go out of their way to help you out when you show some effort and keenness to learn.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me out on this journey. There are way too many of you to name, but all of your help has been appreciated. All of this is a great segue into my conversation with today's guest, an examiner for the AFA, David Sierra. David and I met on Vern Powell's Puerto  Vallarta trip, where many of the farriers down there in Mexico were taking their AFA exams.

Ask anyone about David Sierra in the farrier world, and they all have nothing but kind words and praise. After finally getting to meet him myself, I understand why. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information.

If you have any issues please email [email protected]

Welcome everyone. Before we start today, I wanted to have a discussion about mental health.  Just this summer in Ontario, we had two farriers take their own lives. Over the relatively brief time that I've been a farrier, this has occurred far too many times.  I know from discussions I've had with many of my friends and peers that it does seem to be getting tougher out there.  My friend Mike Mehak wrote a very well worded Facebook post about how it's the people, not the horses, who make this job so tough.  These are Mike's words. The people are what cause us to put a tremendous amount of stress upon ourselves. The people are the ones who have unrealistic expectations, who assign blame, who bring on guilt. I couldn't agree more. I have experienced a great deal more of this in my own practice this year, and while I am extremely fortunate to have a full book of fantastic clients, unfortunately, it's the minority of squeaky wheels who have made themselves stand out.  This time of year with show season peaking, and horses breaking, the tensions are high. For farriers and vets, it feels like we are constantly being bombarded from all sides. Mike's post offers a solution that he has come up with and that is social engagement - going to clinics, courses, certifications. He says it's not just the learning that he's there for, it's the camaraderie and conversation. There truly is something about being able to converse about our shared experiences that thwarts the feelings of isolation. As someone who has struggled personally with mental health issues for most of my life, the loss of any of my peers really hits close to home. There is nothing wrong with seeking professional help. I myself have used a therapist for many years. Sometimes you need more than a fellow farrier's ear. Sometimes you need to call in the pros. The people who've been trained to listen and to help you come up with solutions.  You'd be surprised how many of your peers have already gone this route. Now, I'd like to ask you all to do me a favour.  We can all think of someone, a farrier or vet, who has seemed a little distant lately, someone you suspect has been having a difficult time.  Please reach out to these people and ask how they're doing, but not in the surface stuff niceties way. Really ask them.  We're all in this together and we can be a source of support for each other.  When I say take care of yourselves and each other out there, this is exactly what I'm talking about.  All this said, there is an event coming up soon that many of your peers will be at, The BFBA Focus 2024 and the Stoneleigh International.  There will be tons of vendors, lectures, demos, and a world class competition all in one place and all in one weekend at the end of September,  Go to https://www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk/event/bfba-focus-2024/ to register.

I met today's guest at that very event last year, and we sat down and had a chat. As you will hear, no dust settles on Jim, and resting on laurels is just not his style.  We discuss his time competing for the Welsh team during the record breaking streak at Stoneleigh, his multi farrier practice, and, of course, his world renowned tool and farrier supply business. The theme of independence runs strongly through Jim's entire story, and I bet you'll be as inspired as I was by the end of it.  It was a genuine pleasure getting to know this man.  I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information.

If you have any issues please email [email protected]

Welcome everyone! A little shopkeeping before we start.  The BFBA's Focus and the Stoneleigh International are coming up at the end of this month. If you haven't already heard my most recent episode on the 2022 Focus and International, give that one a listen and it'll give you a pretty good idea as to what you can expect over there.

Both are truly world class events and definitely worth attending. This will be my third year in a row heading out there and I find myself just as excited now as I was on the first trip. Go to www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk  for more details. I hope to see you there.

Just a reminder that my friend Brandon Paulson, with his passion project Shod With Love, will be hosting an upcoming event. Shod With Love is a foundation dedicated to assisting individuals pursuing an education in hoof care. They aim to generate funding through events and donations to provide financial aid for farrier schools and certifications.  Shod With Love's first event will be a clinic and contest this October 11th and 12th with the legendary Mike Poe. Enjoy the crisp fall weather and beautiful foliage in the upper valley of New Hampshire while learning and competing amongst your peers. Visit www.shodwithlove.com  for more details. Now I should say that I first met Brandon Paulson in the Heartland during his journey to achieve his certified farrier certification with the AFA. Brandon is just one of the many cool people that I have met through doing that journey myself and that certification process exists due to the mostly unrecognized efforts and sacrifices of many folks like the gentleman you're about to hear. Craig Stark is the Chairman of the Certification Committee of the AFA and I got to spend some quality time with Craig and his wife, Emily down in Mexico during Vern Powell's Puerto Vallarta clinic. We bonded pretty quickly over conversations about mountain biking and certification and I had a great time getting to know them both. As the clinic was drawing to a close, Craig and I found a somewhat quiet corner and had this chat.

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

Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information.

If you have any issues please email [email protected]