RHL Farrier Service

11/03/2021

Starting to accept new clients.

10/24/2019

Keratoma occurs between the inner hoof wall and bone, usually at the toe. Literally, keratoma means a tumor (-oma) in the hoof wall (keratin). It is rare.

07/16/2019

Before and after. Weak tendons. No heels. Used glue on shoes therapeutic.

07/23/2018

06/06/2017

Essential Horsemanship is one of the 4 DVDs that compliment or make our book Essential Principles of Horseshoeing come to life. The DVD reviews horse, terms, points, and regions, helps you become more efficient at recognizing horse color and discusses the nature of horses and how to learn and review horse handling positions. Horsemanship is important skill to have and to maintain as farriers. This DVD and others can be ordered on our website at www.dougbutler.com

05/25/2017

Butler Professional Farrier School's curriculum is organized and thought out, having planned what and how we will teach the different farrier skills. We value our student's time and want to provide every available opportunity for learning. These books (Essential Principles of Horseshoeing, Six Figure Shoeing and The Principles of Horseshoeing (P3), are used and included within the cost of tuition. Our students get a jump start learning before they arrive by receiving 2 of these texts in combination with our online portion that can be done at home before coming to school. For more information message, email [email protected] or call (308)665-1510.

05/16/2017

This is a model illustrating how a bone can remodel and deteriorate when infected as founder advances. These bones are from 2 different horses but of similar size and weight. The bones on the left illustrate closer to normal. And the bones on the right are from a foundered horse. The yellow line shows the actual length of what a bone would be for this size of horse compared to red line that shows bone is half gone from a foundered horse. These bones are cast allowing them to be replicated from the actual bones. A normal tip of the P3 forms a sharp point when viewed laterally. The tip of the distal phalanx bone of a foundered horse will remodel and even be absorbed over an extended period of time. This is model that is available on our website at www.dougbutler.com under study aids.

05/15/2017

This time of year, as the grass is beginning to spring up, horse owners have to be careful to limit their horse's feed intake while grazing. Some horses are easier keepers than others. This can help prevent laminitis. Horses are herbivores and are designed to graze grass for the majority of the 24-hour day. However, when they have been eating dry feed or kept off pasture for the winter, horses may need to make a gradual switch. This transition could be done over a few days as the grazing time slowly increases. Pasture grass may be 70% moisture and only 30% dry matter. To get the amount of dry matter needed for body maintenance, a horse may eat three times as many pounds of grass as it would of hay (about 90% dry matter).

05/06/2017

There are many names for a lead, stud or lip chain. It can be an effective restraint for horses but has to be used properly. There are many methods for using a lip chain. The chain can be applied over the nose, placed in the mouth, or put under the lip on the gums above the teeth. Some will place it over the nose or under when leading a horse that may need to be reminded of who is walking who. When by yourself, a lip chain can be useful putting the chain in the mouth like a bit to keep the horse occupied while the farrier completes their work.
When the chain is placed under the lip applying light pressure, evidence suggests that this activates an acupressure point under the lip which produces a calming effect. I have seen this work on some horses. However what works on one horse may not work on another. The lip chain should be used with judgement and self-control. Pressure should be applied when the horse misbehaves and relaxed when the horse stands. We suggest presenting the options to the owner and allowing them to decide how to move forward with their horse so that all remain safe.

10/20/2016

Today a customer brought cookies as we worked on her horse. This is a way to express appreciation for time spent and just to say thank you! Client appreciation goes both ways as farriers and horse owners show respect for one another. Expectations and responsibilities should be discussed and agreed upon. Customer relationships develop over time. This is one of the 7 skill areas that successful farriers work towards. We are grateful for great customers.

10/19/2016

Some horses are notorious for pulling their horseshoes. It can be very frustrating to farriers and horse owners. Sometimes horses will paw the fence arguing with another horse or while waiting impatiently to be fed and catch a shoe. This horse waited until he was able to get freed. That doesn't always happen as a horse struggles to get loose and injuries themselves worse. Often clips can be applied or shoes fit a little shorter/tighter to prevent a horse from getting caught or injuring themselves. Barnyard maintenance is important to prevent pulled shoes and injuries from loose fence or machinery. Not everything can be prevented but can make it safer.