Bill van Houten C.J.F Farrier Services

12/26/2019

Umm hmm

11/23/2019

11/23/2019

A video showcasing the farrier profession.

05/11/2019

Not sure who wrote this but it's spot on.

FROM A FARRIERS WIFE: let me tell you what you do not see -

You do not see the mornings that begin at 6 a.m. and the nights that end at 11 p.m. You do not see your farrier performing his juggling act while he shoes, returns voicemails and text messages, and answers "emergency calls" for pulled shoes on Friday nights when he'd rather be at home with his family. On Sunday mornings when he'd rather be in church.

You do not see the checks written to the shoeing supply house, the receipts for the fuel that gets him from your place to the next one, or the maintenance bills that keep his shoeing rig running down the road.

You do not see the books he studies, the workshops he attends or teaches, or the seriousness with which he takes the art and skill of his profession. You do not hear him making late night calls to the vet and to other horseshoers that he respects as they put their heads together to come up with the best solution to make the horse comfortable enough to stay on his feet - to stay alive.

My friend, you do not see the burn marks on his hands and arms from the hours he spends in the forge learning to make your shoes; always preparing to help you the next time your horse comes up lame, is diagnosed with navicular, or founders for the umpteenth time (even though he's warned you to pull that pony off the pasture). He must be prepared for anything you throw at him, and he takes this responsibility to his heart.

You do not see the bumps, bruises, scuffs and injuries that he collects on a daily basis from young, naughty, impatient and flighty horses. He doesn't complain about them. He just keeps on keepin' on. They are part of the job, and he accepts this without complaint, just as he accepts your ingratitude.

So, my friend, I implore you - the next time you think about opening your mouth to insult your farrier, spend a day in his shoes!

04/06/2019

What a great breakdown Derrick

How to deal with under run and crushed heels, from a professional farrier. This article gives a different approach to solving a common problem.

03/17/2019

This is spot on. Thank you for making this.

A video showcasing the farrier profession.

09/03/2018

The most beautiful music ever.

Gara di mascalcia a Bairo, ottobre 2012. Il M.llo Vincenzo Blasio alla forgia.

09/02/2018

So true. Having my daughter change my perspective on this issue.

We must accept the fact when we trim and shoe that working with horses is dangerous. A 300-pound pony can cripple someone. A 1,000-pound horse can kill.