First, I want to set the record straight, I did not create anything that I do. I was taught and taught well by many different people that had major influences on me and my techniques along the way.
I did discover that as I acquired influences from my mentors I also started to have the same beliefs, philosophies and even the same actions of the people that influenced me – I am sure that you have experienced the same thing at times in your life.
Well, this whole lifetime situation of being a farrier started with being given a two-week trial period by my wife when I decided to start to make my entire living within the horse industry. You see I have been married to a great woman for over forty years now, but she had somewhat of a misconception of making a living in the horse business, not to mention the farrier trade. Anyway, I went to her and explained that I felt that I needed to start a horseshoeing business and the answer that I got was that I could try it for two weeks and see how it turned out. Needless to say that two-week trail period has lasted close to 45 years and whenever I started to become discouraged I always reminded myself that I am always on that two-week trial and constantly had to prove myself and my beliefs. Having that two-week trial in the back of my mind made me push a little harder, look for answers that others had overlooked and always look for new ways to help horses.
At the start of my trial period I remember my wife asking me “How much are we going to make with this business?” and it was the foremost question in her mind since she was the rock of the relationship and we had three small children at the time. So how did I answer her – well I said “I don’t know, but I am going to help five horses a day”. To which she answered “How mush are we going to make? I need to know to be able to run this house.” Again I said “I don’t know, but I am going to help five horses a day.” It was at that point I was given the two-week trial that has lasted for over thirty years.
I tell you all of that since it became the basis of my business – helping horses to be comfortable. It was the basis then and it continues to be the same basis today. Keeping that in mind is what pushed me to stay current and also try methods and techniques that were not normally associated with the farrier trade. Some worked and a whole lot more did not. I also worked hand-in-hand with veterinarians that were leg specialists and more importantly were leaders within their profession and I was always learning from them then filing away that information for use in the future.
That desire to expand my knowledge took me on a thirty year plus journey from Montana, across eleven western states and into western Canada until I settled in California. Along the way I learned pathological and corrective farrier skills at the University of Montana, Bozeman campus, from Scott Simpson. Scott Simpson was one of the founders of the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) and is an inductee into the AFA Farrier Hall of Fame. Scott also help to create the testing process use by the AFA for certification of its members at their various levels of competency. In addition, he also was involved in the total revamping of the apprenticeship programs for the countries of England and Australia. I also received insight from Gene Overnick, creator of the Equine Digit Support System (correction program for foundered horses) as well as the creator of the Natural Balance shoe that has become a nationally accepted program. I was also schooled in equine anatomy and physiology by noted veterinary leg specialists Drs. Richard Scott, Bob Clark and Dean Essex, just to name a few.
While I was in Canada. I was licensed to shoe Thoroughbred (running) horses at the tracks in British Columbia and all across Canada for Standardbred (trotters and pacers) horses. In Canada I did meet and was mentored by Bob Marshall, Sr. (noted multi-generational farrier from England and father of noted clinician Bob Marshall, Jr.). I also received additional training that taught me to correctly work with hunter/jumper and dressage horses from Kevin White, who was the farrier for the Canadian Olympic Equestrian Team. In time I did become the back-up farrier for Kevin White for the Canadian Equestrian Team that were based in that area of British Columbia. I have received additional training from farriers from the countries of Ireland, Russia and Holland as well.
Upon returning to the United States, I was licensed by the California State Racing Commission to work on all racetracks throughout California. I was also recommended for a staff position by Dr. Wheat, who was a major contributor to the establishment of the equine department at the University of California, Davis campus and the position that I held was that of relief supervisor for the farrier staff assigned to UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
My career has given me extensive experience in all facets of the horse industry. I have worked on back-yard pleasure horses to horses that have competed and won both national and international titles. That experience includes cutting horses, reiners, endurance, 3-day eventers and dressage competitors, it also includes driving horses as well as halter and gaited horses. Now having such a varied background allowed me to improve the comfort and performance of thousands of grateful horses.
My beliefs are based on developing a relationship between a human and a horse that leads to mental soundness as well as physical soundness. You cannot separate physical well being from mental well being. I have witnessed countless times where animals were punished for behavioral problems that were really problems of lameness, ill fitting equipment and poor communication on the part of the rider or failure to understand the horse’s attempt to communicate their discomfort.
If you are looking for a quality farrier, chose them as any other specialist that you would allow to do work for you. You need to chose an auto mechanic for quality of work and based the references that you receive from friends and family. The same goes for a doctor or dentist. You talk to people and you and your friends judge their work and the results that everyone sees.
