Basis of My Practice

The basis of my practice is simply... Keep It Simple. Over many years of attending conferences, seminars, and clinics I have had the occasion to make the acquaintance of many senior and successful farriers from around the world. Additionally, I had the opportunity to be mentored by a European farrier whose training was through the Guild Apprentice System before WWII. He worked in the commercial farrier shops in Munich before serving as a farrier in the German cavalry before immigrating to the US. A common thought all these farriers shared was "Don't do too much to the foot." The farrier's job is to let the horse develop a strong, resilient foot and then protect it and allow it function naturally with minimal interference. The shoe is only to protect the horse from the excessive demands we put on it. The horse should be sound barefooted under "normal" conditions. The shoe should only protect this condition. "Therapeutic" or "Corrective" measures should only be temporary means of additional support or protection until the hoof can rebuild itself. In a few extreme cases longer term or some permanent care may be required.

I seldom use trick or gimmick shoes or pads. An intimate knowledge of the anatomy and mechanics of the horse allows me to make subtle modifications to the ground surface of the shoe to minimize its impact on the horse's natural way of going and the function of the hoof. This knowledge and experience allows me to understand how the horse is telling me it needs to be shod. Modern technology like the Ontrack System, provide a closer, more detailed look at what the horse is saying. This is just another tool to help make the best horseshoeing decisions.

The farrier practices horseshoeing, not hoof shoeing. The condition of the horse, its work, and the surface it works on are all factors to be considered in shoeing. The ultimate purpose of horseshoeing is the safe enjoyment of the riding experience for the horse and rider. A comfortable horse is a safe horse. It will be willing to do its best at whatever is asked of it. The comfortable horse is more willing to work longer and stronger at performance or pleasure. A horse that is confident on its feet will run faster, jump higher, turn quicker, and come back fresher. A well shod horse suffers fewer injuries and loses fewer shoes. My clients have found that an intimate knowledge of the horse and mastery of the basis tenets of farriery produce optimum results. They have kindly shared their thoughts on my practice in the "Client Comments" section.