Mark Humphrey Farrier, AWCF

09/11/2024

14/10/2024

14/08/2024

When your farrier asks for annual radiographs, it’s not because we want you to spend money, or because we aren’t very good… we ask you to do so because sometimes there’s problems lurking that we couldn’t ever be aware of, and rather than be reactive. We are trying to be proactive for you and your animal.
This horse is a prime example… horse is and has been sound for several years, when these radiographs were taken, the amount of ossification of the collateral cartilages as mind boggling!
It also gave us a shoeing prescription that should keep this horse going than it would have without the radiographs…
We all work as a team and preventative maintenance is wayyy cheaper than chasing a problem after it’s occurred!
Signed- your farrier

05/08/2024

Why does your farrier require you to stay on a schedule if you stay with him? Is he just wanting more money? Is he just taking advantage of you? Absolutely not. It’s all about keeping the horse’s foot as consistent as possible. Too many people think “oh, they don’t look bad so they don’t need done.” When in reality, if they do look good inbetween cycles, and they still look good when they are due next…that’s a compliment to the job the farrier has done.

For every 1 centimeter of extra toe, it’s an added 50 kilograms of force on the tendons. If you do the conversion, that’s 110lbs of extra tension!!!!! Think about the pain a horse has with toes that are 4-5” long. Or, on a horse that’s only done once or twice a year. So, when a farrier requires or asks that their clients stay on a schedule, it’s for the benefit of the horse. It’s our job as farriers to do what we can to keep our client horses both sound and comfortable.

03/01/2024

Shared from another page who shared it themselves.

A customer asked me how much it cost to do a small weld job.

Me: $200-400
Client: So expensive for this job?
Me: How much do you think it would cost you?
Client: $200 maximum... That's a pretty simple job.
Me: For $200 I invite you to do it yourself.
Client: I don't know how to.
Me: $200 I'll teach you how and save you $200-400 you'll get the knowledge as well.
Me: But to get started: you need tools: A welder, grinder, chop saw, drill press, welding hood, gloves etc...
Client: But I don't have all of the equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.
Me: Well then for another $100 more I'll rent all my tools to you so you can do it?
Client: Okay.
Me: How's Tuesday work for you?
Client: I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
Me: Im sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.

Client: You know, I've been thinking. I'd rather pay you the $200 If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more money and time to do it myself and get tools ECT

When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go
- punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations

No one can denigrate other people's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.

PS: (I did not write this dialogue, ) but am sharing it to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs and other small business owners that's it.
I have no clue what's appropriate for a welder. I'm in the landscaping business only in Central, Texas. But I appreciate this guy explaining this well to the client before hand. Texas Morgans LLC

30/10/2023

24/08/2023

14/08/2023

Loan opportunity.
Very special ex event horse who still has lots to give someone. Schooled to AM dressage and happy jumping 1.20m.
Not a novice ride, but has mellowed into a venerable gentleman.
This is a loan not a lease, but he is required to stay at current location with contributions towards his up keep.
Please message me for details.

10/07/2023

Safety first!

10/07/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159636088697741&id=539502740&sfnsn=scwspmo

Safety first!

10/07/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159636088697741&id=539502740&post_id=539502740_10159636088697741&from_close_friend=1¬if_id=1688944206458107¬if_t=close_friend_activity&ref=notif&sfnsn=scwspmo

Safety first!

14/06/2023

Great idea. Everyone should have access to one of these kits

14/06/2023

https://www.theshoekit.co.uk/

Trust the experts at The Shoe Kit for effective Horse Shoe Removal.

15/05/2023

07/03/2023

Harrys Work Journal,

Today we were presented with a horse who had quite substantial sinking of the sole on the right fore.
Although the initial cause is undiagnosed, the age and weight of the horse could play a large factor in the sinkage. Additionally, the overall confirmation may also have a part to play, being broken back, flat footed and partially base wide.

We made a plan alongside a vet which we discussed the best plan of action and agreed on clogs.

Clogs are an extremely affective way to help stabilise and support the hoof capsule. The shape and design also aid in the absorption of concussion as-well as being able to manipulate the mechanics of how the foot/limb moves by reducing the lever arm which has been proven to reduce the reactive forces and pain. Clogs are considered our go to for laminitic horses as the provide a gold standard of capsular support and stability.

For this case radiographs and assessments of foot balance were addressed first so we can try and achieve the most we can with our trim ensuring the best proportions and symmetry possible.

The idea for a clog in this case is so we can use it in conjunction with dental impression material to give digital support which in time allows the hoof capsule to re establish itself to what is considered normal perimeters for this equine.

For the left fore there was a similar thought process, as in many cases when a horse has a over compromised foot or problem it can make the horse bare more weight on the other limb/foot which in turn can cause another problem such as supporting limb laminitis.

Supporting limb laminitis is quite common if the other foot doesn’t have the same amount of support as the compromised foot as in most cases all the weight will now be shifted onto the good foot overloading it completely which then causes things like ischemia and dysfunctions of the cells which provide a essential role to the mechanics of laminae.

By H Handley

13/08/2022

A seedy toe horse. Photos from first and second visit.

13/08/2022

Something we made but thankfully didn't need to use.

13/08/2022

Some hoofcasts applied for structural support, with equine dental impression. Great for a horse lacking in hoof wall strength 💪