by Ralph Casey

when it comes to all breeds and types of Horses

 

 

What do all of the new names or techniques really mean?

What is best for your horse ?

 

Balanced, natural, natural balanced, mustang roll, rolled toe, natural angle, strausser trim, ramey trim, etc. With the word natural in almost every thing we do or eat these days, it is being portrayed as a cure all for human and equine ailments. Of course natural foods with no preservatives or pesticides applied would be better to eat. But when it comes to trimming a horse, does it mean just one way, their way, my way or leave it barefoot and unattended all together. Let it run free and natural in a five acre lot. Many owners see natural as "leave him alone and he will be fine." Well, if people ran barefoot all the time, you bet their toenails would continue grow, calluses would develop, fungus would occur, sores, stone bruises, etc.  Well….same with the horse. Those four hooves are not made of concrete! These small living and growing feet carry the entire weight of a 1,200 pound or more body. Think! Think! Think!

 

Every horse owner should realize this, and some often realize too late after a problem has arisen.  Thus the reasons for hoof care, trimming and shoeing, yes shoeing, should be a high priority when purchasing and maintaining a horse. A horseshoer known these days as farriers, preferably certified, is just the person to seek out the right information and services.  Yes, a Certified Professional Farrier who has worked extensively with all types of horses is more knowledgeable than someone who just trims. Your neighbor can just trim, your dad or granddad maybe just trimmed - but it is 2009 when horses are more confined and petted more than in the 1920's.  Most of the trimmers are biased and offer only one way, their way. Someone who is a farrier by trade will be more knowledgeable than even the veterinarian. A working farrier handles more horses on a daily basis than any other equine professional in the equine world. Fact !

 

Trimming on a regular schedule is the first priority!!! and more exclamation points !!!!!  It does not mean once a year either. Every 8-10 weeks for non active horses or 6-8 weeks for active horses would be ideal.  The environment, moisture and dryness has a lot to do with your success rate.  Saving money by not trimming (or shoeing) is not a luxury for many horses that need shoes when ridden.  You can pay for routine maintenance now . . .  or spend more money in an emergency when it is sore and in pain. Is that the natural thing to do?

 

We receive comments from owners and farriers, good and bad, negative and ugly as well as worthy, here at the school. We find that when an owner, who is frustrated over not finding the right farrier, attends a trim class or short shoeing course, suddenly the light is turned on! Oh that's why my horse acts like that, now I know how hard it is to handle a horse and work under it at the same time. Most comments are, now I know what corrective really means. These owners enjoy it so much they continue their studies to shoe for a living.  In my opinion, a person either loves it or hates it. If so, there are plenty of other occupations.  Injuries alone force many farriers out of work. It is not when, but how bad is it going to be.

 

Our goal here is to help educate in a very friendly, non biased manner.  Beginning education about the anatomy of horse, the lower limb and hoof, using your tools and what tools are easier for you personally, and safety while handling the horse while you are under it is our main priority. The horses you are trimming are owned by our customers who, like you, want the right trim for their horse, not a fad. They depend on us to make that decision and we are pleased to say that we are successful at explaining and satisfying. A person can read all the books offered on the internet and watch other farriers all day long, but until you get under, and have hands-on experience, with lots of horses, then your trimming knowledge if very limited. Hey, the same goes for shoeing also.

 

There are lots of equine educational courses being offered in every state of the US and that is a good thing. This keeps the industry thriving. Owners depend on professionals to know their job and we all want horses to remain a mainstream recreation. No matter what training or knowledge you learn, it is worthy, just try to get it ALL before you advise others.

 

Our two, five or ten day trim course is just that. A short course for horse owners to help them maintain their own horses or trim between farrier visits. We feel that this valuable educational experience should be respected as highly as your riding lessons, your pink halter and natural ergonomic saddle and blanket and natural fitting bridle and bit, your natural treats. (I just had to throw that in)

 

Now when it comes to barefoot verses shoeing and the political views surrounding it, this is a very important time in history. It is important for farriers to understand that the legal actions that may take place will make or break their incomes. With the United States in a financial dilemma and more government dipping their hands into the "small business mans" business, it is on the table (or under the table) to license farriers. Will this include the Trimmers also, or are the Barefoot Advocators out to ban shoeing all together? We hear different stories and of course that is the way the farrier industry has operated since 1977, a small number trying to monopolize the minds of the working farrier. Like most Americans, we want to keep the money we make and there is no doubt that we work hard for it. 

 

Our school is celebrating 20 years in business in 2009. I am proud that my son, Link Casey, is my right hand man and will take over our family business when I retire. I have a lot of friends in this business and have visited 48 states in the last 20 years to promote the message of the BWFA and the FNRC and now I can do it by television and the internet.  There is no reason why a horse owner should not have the access to knowledge these days.

 

The doors of the Farriers' National Research Center & School opened in 2000 here in Georgia to offer continuing education for the working farrier and horse and hoof care knowledge for the horse owning public.  With an overwhelming response, we have actually documented our cases for 15 years. Our case studies are of before and after effects of techniques, shoes styles, products, and opinions. With the modern use of the Treadmill and Infrared Thermal Imaging we have gained a better understanding of the barefoot trend. There will always be barefoot horses, and farriers love to just trim when needed, but we are finding out what happens on the inside of the hoof even better than before.  To date, we are the only facility in the United States to have a real "Farrier Research Center" where owners and farriers work together. We strive to get the word out. We would welcome anyone with a theory to join us in our studies.  We continue to be on the front line of modern technology to better this age old trade.

 Ralph Casey, Certified Master Farrier and Master Educator

Casey & Son Horseshoeing School & Clinic

President, Farriers' National Research Center & School, Inc.

President, Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association, Inc.

Show Creator & Host of Horseshoe'n Time television show

DVD available "The Grammar School of Trimming and Shoeing Horses"

 

The Farriers’ National Research Center & School

14013 East Hwy 136

LaFayette, GA 30728

(706)397-8047

email: farrierhdq@aol.com

Catch us on Horseshoe'n Time on  Dish Network Channel 9411

Sundays mornings and Monday nights. You can also watch us on

Youtube.com and Horsetv.com

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