BHE Farrier Services

12/04/2021

This photo has been floating around Facebook for a while, this is a big reason your farrier wants you to search for lost shoes. I promise it’s not just because we don’t want to make a new one.

11/08/2021

Note to clients I will be attending the AFA convention and will be away until November 14, I will be reachable by phone if you have an emergency and I can put you in contact with another farrier. If it is not an emergency I will be dealing with scheduling etc when I return home.

10/05/2021

This is what a baby’s first trim should look like! Curious but not scared, standing quietly on a loose lead while willingly picking up and holding all four feet.
As a farrier I always appreciate the people who put in the effort to train and prepare for the first trim. Setting them up for success on their first trim sets them up for a lifetime. A good experience will make your farriers life easier for every trim and eventually shoes going forward.

05/28/2021

The Bemer has been an excellent addition to my business so far, it’s great to see the benefits in some of my clients horses. I’ve had good success using it before shoeing on stiff horses, as it helps to loosen them up and make the shoeing more comfortable for both of us.

05/10/2021

I recently purchased the Bemer Equine blanket and will be offering Bemer sessions in addition to my farrier services. Bemer uses a pulsed electromagnetic field to increase circulation in the horses body. It’s benefits include increased suppleness and performance, reduced recovery time after an injury and temporary pain relief. Feel free to contact me with any questions or for more information.

12/24/2020

A very Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

12/15/2020

Over the last few days some of my clients have been wondering how the new covid restrictions will affect barns and arenas, another farrier friend of mine just shared this information and I thought some of you might find it helpful!

12/02/2020

99% of the time when people send me pictures with questions about their horses feet I have to tell them to get better pictures. This is a helpful guide.

10/12/2020

Onion heel modification on a foot with some scarring.

08/23/2020

This weekend I was fortunate enough to get to spend the weekend at a tool making clinic, learning to build and maintain the tools I use to do my job every day.

08/11/2020

BHE Farrier Services is now carrying Biopteq Hoof Solution. This is a great Canadian made, all natural solution for thrush treatment. I now have some in stock if anyone is interested.

06/15/2020

But if a lateral extension on a good old horse today.

06/11/2020

Some every day shoeing from today, since I never seem to remember to post on this page.

05/09/2020

This is an excellently written post that I think we can all appreciate. The majority of the horses in my clientele are barefoot and do well, but for the ones who aren’t, or can’t be, shoes can be a lifesaver.

WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD…

I’m gonna go there. Straight to the root of this whole notion of ‘no foot, no horse’. Now, if you’re in the camp where you shoe ‘em all, all the time, nothing I say here will change your mind. If you’re in the band of barefoot trimmers, nothing I say here will change your mind. But for what it’s worth, I’m going to tell you my side of the story.

I’ve showed up to work on the lone barefoot horse. She did her job and at the end of the day, I unsaddled with all the riders and we went for a beer. There were no comments made, because my mare had as much foot under her after eight hours’ hard riding, as she did at the start of the day.

I’ve also showed up to ride a barefoot horse, who, at the end of the day, was plumb out of foot. The ground was gravelly sand that, with every step, wore some of his hoof wall away. By day’s end, I was on a sore horse. I received a few legit comments from folks who were forced to put new iron on, every four weeks. They’d literally ride right through the toes of their shoes ‘til nothing was left. My horses weren’t going barefoot because it was a hill I was prepared to die on... I tend to be a little cheap, is all.

The flip side of this scenario is when I've hauled in to certain places, where people say hurtful things about my shod horse. They don’t ask if I’m trying to deal with an issue, or if I’m riding on sheer ice, or rocks or gravel roads. They just let it be known that if I loved my horses, if I knew any better, they would be barefoot. Naturally.

Thing is, my horses aren’t always living natural lives.

Most of my horses go barefoot, most of the time. If I’m riding a horse who is gimpy, who has a history of wanting and liking his shoes, who is going to be working on ground that will leave him with less hoof wall at the end of the day than when he began it… he will be shod. My need to fit in with any particular group of people does not trump what my horse is trying to say.

Can we acclimate our barefoot horses to tread upon any ground? Often, yes, if that’s what’s important to us. It’s maybe not so important to me. My horses go eight months of the year barefoot, so if they're tender when I want to ride come summer, I figure they've had their chance to toughen up.

I've little desire to buckle up any brand of horse boot, just to see him through without shoes. To me, rubber boots are no more natural than a set of plates. I’ve been forced to use them on one horse whose heel bulbs eventually rubbed raw with them, due to the miles we made through calving season. In trying to make him comfortable, I still ended up making him sore.

No matter what, though, I will not shame you into thinking as I do. I believe every single one of us is trying to do what's best for the horse.

The fervour of the barefoot versus shoeing argument grows old… although, looking back, it’s not an old argument. Years ago, people were more worried about whether their horses were going well, or whether they had enough to eat. We didn’t fight about bitting, shoeing, helmets and other things that seem to keep us busy now. Maybe not having the internet helped.

In the end, I’ll keep on listening to my hoof care professional. We’ll both listen to my horses. They have a pretty good way of saying whether they need to go barefoot, or whether they could use shoes. We’ll pay attention to their angles and whether or not they have healthy frogs, bars, soles and supportive heels.

For about four years, I hauled one of my horses to a barefoot trimmer who came very highly recommended. It was important to me to do my very best to make this horse’s life easier. Miracles were promised. He had issues going in and you know, four years later, he was still the exact same horse. I’ll never know whether my extra care had any effect on his quality of life but I think it made me feel better. I don’t believe it solved all his problems, however. The horse just had unfortunate feet.

I’ve learned that it can be hard, in certain circles, to sell a horse who likes his shoes.

Even in a world where a safe, well-trained horse is hard to find, there are many people who won’t look at a shod horse. I’ll explain the whys and still, people will reluctantly buy such horses and then, put them barefoot when they get home. Six months later, I’m invariably asked to take my nice horse back because ‘he can’t go sound’.

I have a horse right now who will probably be with me ‘til his dying day. He’s big. He’s got small feet. They’ve not got contracted heels, he just requires a larger base of support. The issue should not be whether or not he needs front shoes with pads but why his sire and dam were bred, in the first place.

Truth is, we’ve got away from breeding horses for structurally-sound conformation, which includes correct feet. We’re in an era where it’s more important to mate popular bloodlines with ‘10 movement’ or ‘lots of cow’. We’re engaged in competitive sport that is so far from natural living that we need to help our horses with the appropriate footwear, whether it’s shoes with borium, threaded studs, or rear sliders. To do any less and compete, would actually jeopardize the welfare of both horse and rider.

So, my horses are neither kept shod, nor barefoot trimmed. They are maintained to the best of my ability, so that they may be comfortable and safe, doing whatever it is that I require of them. Shod or barefoot, nobody wants to ride a sore horse.

***

📷 ‘Shoeing’ by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, R.A., 1844.

04/14/2020

Here is a neat slow motion video of hot fitting a shoe that a client took for me. Hot fitting allows me to set clips into the wall of the foot and ensure good contact of the shoe to the foot.

04/04/2020

Just some Saturday morning shoeing.

03/25/2020

Although it doesn’t look like it today, spring is coming. And with spring comes green grass and a higher risk of founder.
Excess green grass or feeds that are high in sugars and proteins are one of the main causes of founder, so keep an eye on your horses once the grass starts to grow.
Horses that have foundered will often stand with their front feet out in front with their weight shifted back into the hind end.
If you notice signs of founder it’s best to involve your vet and farrier immediately!

Photo credit Gregory’s Textbook of Farriery

03/20/2020

With all the changes going on with the Covid-19 virus, I’m still business as usual but here a few notes:
In order to maintain social distancing, if you’re able to have your horses tied or in stalls please do so and keep a safe distance.

Email transfers are the best option for payment to reduce hand to hand contact but you may also leave a cheque or cash in the barn and I’ll leave a receipt for you.

If you have been out of the country or in contact with someone who has, please respect the 14 day quarantine period and either reschedule your appointment or make arrangements to have your horses caught and ready without having to make contact.

I will be taking precautions to sanitize my hands between appointments and reducing contact as much as possible.

If you have any concerns please call or text and we can work through them. The care of your horse is still important to me, and their feet won’t stop growing just because we are experiencing a pandemic.

02/28/2020

Putting the word out to all of my clients and friends. A good friend of mine had some tack stolen out of his barn last night. This is all custom made and unique tack that can’t be missed. Spade bit with romal rein, custom made Steve Mason saddle and a single rig saddle. Please keep your eyes open and if you see any of these pieces please let me know so I can put you in touch with him!

02/06/2020

Just a reminder that I’m headed to Barrhead for a clinic and contest this afternoon. I will be back to work Monday morning.

01/23/2020

It’s always exciting getting things in the mail, but especially when it’s the results of months of hard work and practice. It’s official now, I’m an AFA certified farrier. Next step is Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF)

01/09/2020

BHE Farrier Services is always accepting new clients in the High River/Okotoks area. I offer trimming, hot shoeing, and therapeutic shoeing. I am a Oklahoma Horseshoeing School graduate and certified through the American Farriers Association. Send me a message or call 403-415-4789.

01/05/2020

This spring I will be testing with the American Farriers Association to get my Journeyman certification. It is a three part test which involves shoeing, forging and written skills.

01/02/2020

First pair of shoes in 2020, back to work today after a fantastic holiday season!

12/31/2019

Wishing all my clients, friends and family a very Happy New Year and all the best in 2020!

12/30/2019

This is very true, there is no excuse for a horse that doesn’t stand if the owner is doing their job between appointments.

“BUT HE’S JUST A BABY”: Over the years, I’ve listened to people make all sorts of excuses for their young horse kicking, sitting back, nipping or just not standing for the farrier. One of my favorites is, “But he’s just a baby!“ when the c**t or filly is coming on TWO years old. This picture is a perfect example of a yearling stud c**t that actually STANDS for the farrier. This c**t has had his feet picked up and desensitized on a routine schedule since 4 months old. I can trim him by myself with no sedation or handler. “But he’s just a baby” is no excuse for not standing for the farrier if the owner has done his or her job before the farrier goes to trim their young c**t or filly.

12/24/2019

Merry Christmas to all of my friends and customers! Have a joyful holiday season!

12/24/2019

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all of my clients and friends. Have a happy and safe holiday season!

12/21/2019

BHE Farrier Services got a face lift this week! It feels great to upgrade from the old black truck to a nice shiny newer model!

12/10/2019

This is a mare that I work on who foundered early in the year and has been in heartbars since. I made her a new set of shoes today.

12/02/2019

Just a note to all clients: I will be taking some time off over the holidays this year. I won't be working from Dec 24-Jan 1 in order to enjoy the holiday season with my family and friends. Please be sure to get in touch if you need me before then. I will still be available for emergencies at my regular phone number or through Facebook.
Have a great December everybody!

11/17/2019

Here’s a bit of a sneak peek into what happens when I’m not working on your horses. This weekend I have been attending an online Farrier Business Success academy through the AFA. There is so much more that goes into this than just nailing shoes on feet!

11/12/2019

Over the weekend I attended and competed at the 40th annual Olds Classic Horseshoeing Contest. In honour of the anniversary they held a round table discussion with some of the pioneers of continuing education and competition in Alberta. There was over 400 years of horseshoeing experience between the panel. It was a great weekend and a great contest. I was able to pull out a win in the shoeing class and as always I learned a ton!