Mullins Farrier Podcast

Farriers from the pleasure horse and race horse worlds rarely find themselves in the same place to have a chat. In this episode, I speak with Gavin Moody AWCF of the legendary Racehorse community of Newmarket in England. Gavin explains his philosophies of shoeing thoroughbred race horses and dispels many of the myths and misconceptions that exist about that industry. We also cover Gavin's journey through the higher level exams, what compelled him to do them, and how it has benefitted him and the horses he shoes everyday. Join me for a wide ranging and thoughtful conversation with this incredible farrier!   To support the podcast and access full length episodes, please click the link below:   mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

Tune in to our latest episode featuring a panel discussion from last year's AFA Convention  with multi-farrier practice owners sharing what it takes to run a thriving, sustainable business. From training apprentices and setting high standards, to pay structures, legal logistics, and how to handle mistakes - nothing was off the table. Hear from: - Kayla & Lyle Shepherd (Tennessee) - Lee Olsen (Texas) - Jason Critton (Colorado) Whether you're a solo farrier or dreaming of scaling up, this conversation is packed with real talk, hard-won advice, and a reminder that mentorship and community matter more than ever.

Special Bonus Episode! For over 30 years now Heartland Horseshoeing School has been producing high calibre farriers and educating seasoned ones. I managed to get Kelly, Chris, and Cody to sit still for a brief period during the weekend anniversary celebration to discuss the past, present and future of their incredible school. From its humble beginnings, to Cody's childhood working alongside his folks, to what it takes to become a successful Heartlander, we cover a lot of ground in this episode. I hope you enjoy it… As much as I did. Subcribe here for more full length episodes: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

From a South Dakota ranch to a successful haul-in practice in Texas, Lee Olsen shares the journey that shaped him into the farrier he is today. In this episode, we dive into his roots, work ethic, mentorship, business evolution, and the importance of balance in life and work. Lee also opens up about the farriers who've inspired him, his unique four-year apprenticeship program, and why giving back to the farrier community matters more than ever. For access to full episodes, subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

In this episode I sit down with Jason Critton CJF TE AWCF at the 2024 AFA Convention and we discuss all things horseshoeing. Many know Jason because of his very successful multi-farrier practice in Colorado but that is just the tip of the iceberg. His challenge oriented personality lead him to successfully pursue his AWCF and we discuss the intense regime of practice and studying he held himself to in preparation for the exam. We also discuss: his journey from Engineering student to full fledged farrier, work life balance, his methods for shoeing horses on fibre footing, stories of the mentors who helped him on his way, and many other topics. Be prepared to be inspired by Jason's contagious enthusiasm for our trade. For access to the full episode subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

Ever wondered what it takes to become a military farrier? In this episode, we're joined by instructors from the Defense Animal Training Regiment at Melton Mowbray - Sergeant Stuart Wyss, W2 Adam Cooper, and Mark Neal - who share their unique paths into the trade. From firefighting dreams to ceremonial roles, their stories highlight the grit, skill, and camaraderie behind one of the most intense farrier training programs out there.   Subscribe for full length epsiodes here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

In this week's episode of the Mullins Farrier Podcast, I sit down with Alex Mercer, a military-trained farrier from Leicestershire, England. Alex shares his journey from the King's Troop to civilian practice, competing internationally, launching his own tool business, and teaching the next generation of farriers. Tune in to hear about his experiences, the evolution of farrier practices, and the incredible support within the farrier community!  Subscribe today for full episodes: www.mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

From apprenticeship to Assiociate, Stephen Britten has built an incredible career as a farrier, working in the UK . In this episode, he shares his journey - from learning under top mentors, to his journey through the US with the Cultural Exchange, to navigating the mental and physical challenges of the trade. We dive into the cultural differences in farriery, the importance of continual learning, and what it takes to run a successful business. Subscribe for full episodes here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

In this episode, Certified Journeyman Farrier Paeden Underwood shares his journey from ranch horses in Nevada to building a successful farriery business in Portland, Oregon. Paeden dives into the lessons he's learned along the way - from seeking mentorship and mastering hoof anatomy to balancing confidence with humility. He also touches on the challenges of managing client expectations, running a financially sustainable business, and making time for family. Plus, he gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming podcast Stoic and Steel, where he'll highlight extraordinary stories from everyday people. Subscribe for full epidsodes here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

From apprentice to expert. In this episode of the Mullins Farrier Podcast, we sit down with Marc Jerram, a highly qualified farrier from the UK, to dive into his incredible career journey. Marc shares his experiences working around the world, his research on limb loading and gait analysis, and his approach to therapeutic farriery. Plus, he offers valuable insights into shoeing techniques and discusses his book designed for both farriers and horse owners. Tune in for a masterclass in farriery - Subscribe to the Premium feed for access to full episodes: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

In this week's episode, Christian Roy shares his incredible path from Quebec welder to professional farrier. Starting with his own horses in 1989, he honed his craft through mentorship, competition, and hands-on experience to build a thriving career. Despite challenges, Chris continues to give back - mentoring apprentices, judging competitions, and staying deeply involved in the industry. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, expertise, and the evolution of a true craftsman! Subscribe to the Premium feed for access to full episodes: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

In this special episode, Katie Panos, a certified journeyman farrier from Brooklyn, Connecticut, shares her journey from being a burnt-out lab researcher to a passionate farrier. Katie speaks to the supportive community she has found within the American Farrier's Association (AFA) as well as her involvement in the AFA research committee, where she's helping to make incredible things happen. Tune in to hear her full story!   subscribe for more full length episodes: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

In this week's episode, I sit down with Kelvin Lymer of Worcestershire, England. Involved with horses as a child, Kelvin expressed interest to his farrier at the age of 11, sparking a lifelong career which included being the Team Farrier for the British Endurance Team. From competition and collaboration to innovation using 3D printers - tune in to discover how he's transforming traditional methods with cutting-edge technology.   Subscribe to the Premium feed for access to full episodes: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/

In this episode of the Mullins Farrier Podcast, I sit down with Paige Poss, the Master Horse Digit Dissector from Tucson, Arizona. Paige shares her incredible journey—from her early days trimming and learning from horses in need to becoming a sought-after educator and collaborator in the world of hoof care. Discover how challenges with her own laminitic horse sparked a passion for deeper learning, leading to impactful collaborations like her work with Jenny Edwards. Paige shares invaluable insights, opening up about teaching and balancing work with passion. Subscribe to the Premium feed for access to full episodes: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

This week, Danny Elliott, a skilled farrier from North Yorkshire and the man behind the Silverback Chap Company shares his career journey. Danny talks about how his sister's connection to horses and subsequent loss of interest shaped his path, the challenges he faced during his apprenticeship, and what it takes to build a reputation in the farrier community. He also discusses the balance between work and personal life, the story behind his Silverback Chap Company, and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning. Tune in to hear Danny's thoughtful insights and experiences in the farrier world. click the link below to subscribe for whole episodes mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

From growing up with horses in Danville, Illinois, to earning numerous farrier certifications including CJF, TE and AWCF, Steve Sermersheim shares his journey of dedication, mentorship, and lifelong learning.    When his brother left horseshoeing, Steve stepped in, taking a crash course in the craft, and never looked back. From competitions and clinics to teaching and mentoring the next generation of farriers, Steve's story highlights the power of continuous learning and giving back to the community.

Meet Stuart Muir, a dedicated farrier at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, originally from New Zealand, who has traveled the world refining his craft. From sport horses to therapeutic cases, Stuart shares his journey of growth, mentorship, and the challenges of working on high-performance horses. We dive into his transition to the U.S. with just two suitcases, the evolution of the farrier industry, and his passion for elevating hoof care through innovation and collaboration. This conversation is packed with insights, heartfelt stories, and a genuine appreciation for the art of farriery. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Tune in to hear about Stuart's remarkable experiences and his thoughts on the future of the profession. Subscribe to the premium feed for full episodes: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

 Welcome, everyone.  I ran into today's guest at the International this year while cheering on her husband Steven and the rest of the English team as they competed their way to the top. While most, if not all, of the farrier world is likely to know the world champion and top toolmaker, Steven Beane, they may not be familiar with his wife, and fellow Canadian, Kathrine who is a mover and shaker in the farrier world in her own right.  Since taking over the daunting task of organizing and running the Masters Cup competition in her home province of Quebec, it has become one of, if not the largest, competitions in Canada, drawing competitors from all over North America and across the pond.  We also discussed Kathrine's start in the farrier world, accumulating many mentors along the way, her present, living in England with her new beau, and her future plans with Beanie Tools and life in general. I appreciate that Kathrine took the time to do this. It was a deeply honest and insightful chat. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.  Here is a link to sign up for the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information.

Today's episode comes out on the eve of the AFA convention, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is a PSA of sorts and will be available to paid and unpaid members of the podcast. I've had this thought for years that people don't appreciate or aren't aware of how much goes on behind the scenes of their associations to make these important entities run as smoothly and efficiently as they do. The two women in this interview play one of the most important roles in that system, but ironically they are so effective at their jobs that we barely think of them. I separately asked both Martha of the American Farriers Association and Holly of the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association a few years ago to do an interview to help their members understand what it is they do and who they are. They both politely brushed me off, but to be fair, I asked them in the midst of their busiest time of year during their respective conventions. Eventually though, they made me a counter offer, an interview with both of them together. It was a brilliant idea.  So, as FOCUS was winding down this year, we sat down amidst all of the controlled chaos of the event teardown and had this chat. All of the competition's shoes were in the same room as us, so you will hear them clinking away as Jed Hallam and his team of scorekeepers inventoried and put them away. Thanks to my hosts at the BFBA, I had the opportunity to do so many fantastic interviews at FOCUS this year. You will hear those in the coming months. My face hurt the most from laughing at this one though. The bond between Martha and Holly is clearly strong and reflective of the bond between the AFA and the BFBA, which has benefited all of their respective members and the trade as a whole. So, if you're at convention this year and see either of these two incredible women, please thank them for all that they do for us or call or email them to do the same, just not in the week leading up to Convention or Focus. They're a bit busy then. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information. If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com

For this episode, I've come to realize that after years of interviewing fellow farriers, I struggle at interviewing the suppliers in our business. I think it's because I don't know enough of the background of that world to ask the right questions. Due to these struggles, this interview ended up being a shorter format than my typical long form. But in the end, I hope I was able to do Steve and his company justice in telling his story about a brand we are all familiar with in the farrier world. You will hear the familiar tinging of anvils in the background as we recorded this down at Vern Powell's Puerto Vallarta clinic in Mexico last year. I hope to see him again this year on the same trip. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Here is a link to sign up for the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information. If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com

Today's guest has played a large role in helping a group of super keen Mexican farriers to better themselves and pursue the AFA exam.  I met Ellie-May Buckland on my first trip to England. She introduced herself and said, I hear you're joining us in Puerto Vallarta this year. I was indeed and got to spend a lot of time getting to know her on that trip.  I tried multiple times to get her to do an interview, but to no avail. But ask anyone with a restraining order on me, and they'll tell you I am persistent. Last December in Mexico, we finally had that conversation.  Ellie-May drops so many tidbits of wisdom during this chat. We talked a lot about setting client boundaries and adhering to them. As well as maintaining a healthy work-life balance. So typical, it's the seemingly quiet folks who have all the best advice to share once you get them talking.  I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information. If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome, everyone.  Well, I'm about at the midpoint of my English farrier tour, had a great time at Focus and The International, and got a lot of fantastic interviews done. Stay tuned for those. As it goes at that type of event, I had a lot of fun and interesting conversations with fellow farriers, both on and off the mic. My esteemed tour guide, Danny Bennett, took me with him to Hereford College and I got to spend some time with the students in the Forge and the classroom. It's hard not to be envious of the facility and the program that they get to attend there.  As an added bonus, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, was visiting the college at the same time and I got to meet and converse with him on his tour of the Forge.  It doesn't get more British than that.  For those who haven't heard Danny's episode with me on the Lockdown Farriery podcast, I'm sticking around England for a little longer to attempt the associate exam of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. I've been prepping for it for a few years now. But this year, I've been focusing a lot of effort on it. With multiple trips down to the Heartland to get lots of help from Chris and Cody, and then attending a Jonathan Nunn clinic down there as well. I was also fortunate enough to get Danny to fly over to Canada for some of his tutelage as well. I can't emphasize enough how much going through the process of pursuing certification and higher level exams has done for me. It's the challenge, the learning, the progress, and it's the people.  I have had so many people offer me help, insights, and tools in big ways and small.  The Farrier family is a real thing, and they go out of their way to help you out when you show some effort and keenness to learn. Thank you to everyone who has helped me out on this journey. There are way too many of you to name, but all of your help has been appreciated. All of this is a great segue into my conversation with today's guest, an examiner for the AFA, David Sierra. David and I met on Vern Powell's Puerto  Vallarta trip, where many of the farriers down there in Mexico were taking their AFA exams. Ask anyone about David Sierra in the farrier world, and they all have nothing but kind words and praise. After finally getting to meet him myself, I understand why. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information. If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome everyone. Before we start today, I wanted to have a discussion about mental health.  Just this summer in Ontario, we had two farriers take their own lives. Over the relatively brief time that I've been a farrier, this has occurred far too many times.  I know from discussions I've had with many of my friends and peers that it does seem to be getting tougher out there.  My friend Mike Mehak wrote a very well worded Facebook post about how it's the people, not the horses, who make this job so tough.  These are Mike's words. The people are what cause us to put a tremendous amount of stress upon ourselves. The people are the ones who have unrealistic expectations, who assign blame, who bring on guilt. I couldn't agree more. I have experienced a great deal more of this in my own practice this year, and while I am extremely fortunate to have a full book of fantastic clients, unfortunately, it's the minority of squeaky wheels who have made themselves stand out.  This time of year with show season peaking, and horses breaking, the tensions are high. For farriers and vets, it feels like we are constantly being bombarded from all sides. Mike's post offers a solution that he has come up with and that is social engagement - going to clinics, courses, certifications. He says it's not just the learning that he's there for, it's the camaraderie and conversation. There truly is something about being able to converse about our shared experiences that thwarts the feelings of isolation. As someone who has struggled personally with mental health issues for most of my life, the loss of any of my peers really hits close to home. There is nothing wrong with seeking professional help. I myself have used a therapist for many years. Sometimes you need more than a fellow farrier's ear. Sometimes you need to call in the pros. The people who've been trained to listen and to help you come up with solutions.  You'd be surprised how many of your peers have already gone this route. Now, I'd like to ask you all to do me a favour.  We can all think of someone, a farrier or vet, who has seemed a little distant lately, someone you suspect has been having a difficult time.  Please reach out to these people and ask how they're doing, but not in the surface stuff niceties way. Really ask them.  We're all in this together and we can be a source of support for each other.  When I say take care of yourselves and each other out there, this is exactly what I'm talking about.  All this said, there is an event coming up soon that many of your peers will be at, The BFBA Focus 2024 and the Stoneleigh International.  There will be tons of vendors, lectures, demos, and a world class competition all in one place and all in one weekend at the end of September,  Go to https://www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk/event/bfba-focus-2024/ to register. I met today's guest at that very event last year, and we sat down and had a chat. As you will hear, no dust settles on Jim, and resting on laurels is just not his style.  We discuss his time competing for the Welsh team during the record breaking streak at Stoneleigh, his multi farrier practice, and, of course, his world renowned tool and farrier supply business. The theme of independence runs strongly through Jim's entire story, and I bet you'll be as inspired as I was by the end of it.  It was a genuine pleasure getting to know this man.  I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information. If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome everyone! A little shopkeeping before we start.  The BFBA's Focus and the Stoneleigh International are coming up at the end of this month. If you haven't already heard my most recent episode on the 2022 Focus and International, give that one a listen and it'll give you a pretty good idea as to what you can expect over there. Both are truly world class events and definitely worth attending. This will be my third year in a row heading out there and I find myself just as excited now as I was on the first trip. Go to www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk  for more details. I hope to see you there. Just a reminder that my friend Brandon Paulson, with his passion project Shod With Love, will be hosting an upcoming event. Shod With Love is a foundation dedicated to assisting individuals pursuing an education in hoof care. They aim to generate funding through events and donations to provide financial aid for farrier schools and certifications.  Shod With Love's first event will be a clinic and contest this October 11th and 12th with the legendary Mike Poe. Enjoy the crisp fall weather and beautiful foliage in the upper valley of New Hampshire while learning and competing amongst your peers. Visit www.shodwithlove.com  for more details. Now I should say that I first met Brandon Paulson in the Heartland during his journey to achieve his certified farrier certification with the AFA. Brandon is just one of the many cool people that I have met through doing that journey myself and that certification process exists due to the mostly unrecognized efforts and sacrifices of many folks like the gentleman you're about to hear. Craig Stark is the Chairman of the Certification Committee of the AFA and I got to spend some quality time with Craig and his wife, Emily down in Mexico during Vern Powell's Puerto Vallarta clinic. We bonded pretty quickly over conversations about mountain biking and certification and I had a great time getting to know them both. As the clinic was drawing to a close, Craig and I found a somewhat quiet corner and had this chat. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information. If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome, everyone.  We are less than a month away from the BFBA's Focus Convention and the International at Stoneleigh. It's not too late to pre order your tickets online, and I highly recommend doing so after bearing witness to the record long queues last year for people who waited to purchase theirs at the event.  I've been told that protocols have been put in place to help shorten those queues. But it's still quicker to use the online option.  As I'm sure you've already heard by now, the podcast has moved to a subscription based platform, but this episode will be released in its entirety for everyone.  The following is a compilation of all the audio I collected on my first visit to the to the 2022 Focus and Stoneleigh International. It was an incredible experience, to say the least. So much so, that I am returning for my third trip this year. My goal of this episode is to give you some insight as to what the experience is like. As well as some background on what goes on behind the scenes to make everything happen. You'll hear many interviews with core members of the BFBA who work diligently year round to ensure that both events go off without a hitch.  I was so impressed by what I saw that I am a paid member of this organization myself.  I would encourage you to do the same. There are many benefits to being a member of the BFBA, and now one of those exclusive benefits is having access to two free months of the paid feed of the podcast, which roughly equals to four free episodes when you sign up for the BFBA.  Now, admittedly the audio format makes it difficult to give you an idea of what the full experience of the Stoneleigh International and Focus are all about,  but I'm going to give it the Boy Scouts try.  I hope you enjoy these conversations. As much as I did.  Get Your Tickets Here: https://webcollect.org.uk/bfba/event/bfba-focus-2024  BFBA Memberships: https://www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk/membership/  Here is a link to sign up for the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information. If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com

Today's guest is a mover and shaker in the farrier world whose efforts have received a lot of well deserved attention this past year.  She's a brand ambassador for Mustad and recently had a feature article about her in the Equine Living in the Bluegrass magazine. Last year, Meghan traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as one of the clinicians in Vern Powell's crew. It was here that I was finally able to sit down with this ambitious woman to have a chat.  Please excuse the constant construction noises in the background. This was the quietest spot we could find on the resort at the time. As usual, the crew at Canopy River were busy making the resort bigger and better than the year previous. As you will hear, Meghan is the type of person who has found her purpose through helping others, whether it be through her first career as a social worker or her second helping horses. Throughout the interview and the Perto Vallarta trip, it was a great opportunity to get to know Meghan and what she's all about. A devoted mother and a passionate farrier, she somehow achieves the balance with humor and grace. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information. If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com

Today's guest, is another gentleman from across the pond. You probably heard Haydn mentioned before quite fondly by Ben Benson in his episode. Haydn has even been a guest as a panelist from a discussion I recorded at Focus a couple of years back. I've had several folks explain to me the influence that Hayden has had on the farrier trade in the UK. I believe our Tech Bro counterparts in the Silicon Valley would refer to him as a disruptor. He took some traditionally held precepts about shoeing and flipped them on their head.  You'll hear him discuss a few of these in his own words in the following conversation.  Clearly his methodology worked as he eventually went on to be the lead consultant farrier for 20 years to the British Equestrian Federation. He served as the lead farrier for Team GB,  whose results on the world equestrian stage have spoken for themselves. Haydn is one of those folks whose energy is contagious and his passion for what he does is palpable. We covered a lot of ground but I feel like we could have done a whole other interview and maybe we will someday. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. This episode marks the first episode of our new subscription feed. Here is a link to sign up for the monthly subscription and the process is simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/ Our long time supporters at Outwest Design and Fabrication are helping us to provide scholarship subscriptions. If you are a student, apprentice or someone who needs some financial assistance for your subscription, please reach out through the website or Facebook. Visit https://www.mullinsfarrier.com/ for more information. If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com HOOF BALANCE 3 WEBINAR Live Webinar + Video Recording SPEAKERS: Simon Curtis, Matthew Jones, Mark Trussler, David Nicholls TOPIC: Four methods for foot balance DATE: Wednesday 4 September You get a 30% discount on tickets! There is also a limited number of “Early Bird” price tickets available which will give you a double discount when you use the links in this email.  * You must book before the Early Bird end date 21 August to get the double discount * http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/965840564127/?discount=MULLINS

Welcome everyone. I met today's guest at Stoneleigh at the same time I met one of our previous guests, James Todd. As you will hear, James and Mark are great friends, and I was happy we managed to get both of them in for an interview. It was not planned, but I found it interesting that this guest and our last one both had hard learned lessons about listening to your body when it tells you to settle down a bit.  Alan and Mark said that after years of not listening, their bodies made the message clear. Fortunately, with some medical intervention, patience, and next level perseverance, they both have been able to come back to the career they love.   I'm sure by now you've noticed a trend in all of the Stoneleigh episodes where everybody seems to mention this Stephen Hill character. He pops up in Mark's story as well and if you haven't already heard his interview, it was released just a couple episodes ago.  It was great getting to know Mark, and he shares some fantastic stories spanning his long career as a mentor to many. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  This marks our last episode before we move to the subscription model. Here is a link to sign up to the monthly subscription and the process is fairly simple. Once you subscribe you will receive an email that allows you to open the feed in your preferred podcast player. https://mullinsfarrier.supercast.com/  If you have any issues please email mullinsfarrierpodcast@gmail.com 

Welcome, everyone.   I first met today's guest at Spruce Meadows in Alberta. I had just arrived at the beautiful and expansive grounds and could not find a single staff member to direct me to Craig's competition tent. Always friendly and eager to help, Alan immediately stood up, and despite being sore from his recent back surgery, led me to where the competition was being held. We had a couple of great conversations that day, and when we met up again in Cincinnati at the Hoof Care Summit, I convinced Alan to do an interview.  In it, he shares some really hard earned lessons on taking care of your body, as well as the value of chasing certifications, even if you're well into your career when you start the process.  I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.  I have to say I've been blown away by the many messages of support I've received in response to my announcement about the podcast moving to a subscription model. We are still setting up the infrastructure, so by next episode I will be able to tell you how to sign up and we'll have links posted on all the socials.  As I said before, I don't want someone's financial situation to hinder them from having access to our content. So, if you're an apprentice already barely scraping by, or find yourself in a tough financial spot no matter what stage of your career, please reach out on Facebook Messenger and we will get you access.  And as I said before, even after August 12th, all listeners will still have access to the whole catalog of episodes we have published up to that point.  Thanks again to everyone for your support in this big change. Your messages were encouraging and exactly what I needed to hear.

Welcome everyone. Stephen Hill FWCF came highly recommended by many farriers in England while I was there for Stoneleigh. Thanks to an introduction from Jamie Hughes, I was able to sit down with him and do this interview.  You will notice this common theme from many of the interviews that I did there,  wherein the guests and I go into deep detail about certain shoeing concepts. While Stephen alludes to the fact that audio probably isn't the best platform for describing some of these three dimensional concepts, he and many of the other guests are so articulate in describing what they're talking about that it's pretty easy for us to see in our minds what it is they're describing. This is one you're going to want to pause and rewind several times to gather all the information that Stephen shares here.  I know I have.  This was a lot of fun, and I learned a ton. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  The show is sponsored by OutWest Designs and Fabrication your choice for Farrier rigs https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079094490534  Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast

I have run into today's guest several times over the years and unfortunately, our exchanges have always been brief.  I was looking forward to getting to know Steffi better at Vern Powell's Puerto Vallarta clinic in Mexico, but I missed one trip and she missed the other. We finally connected at last year's Stoneleigh for long enough to be able to sit down and do this interview. As you will hear, Steffi started her shoeing career with very little knowledge and very few tools. Through her ability to network, she found herself a world full of mentors once she set her sights on the certification process through the AFA.  It is incredible to hear how much she sacrificed, and how much grit and determination carried her through that process, so that she was eventually able to achieve her CF.  She's an inspiration and a force to be reckoned with.  I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  The show is sponsored by OutWest Designs and Fabrication your choice for Farrier rigs https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079094490534 Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast  

I met these two characters a couple of years back at my very first Stoneleigh.  They played a very key role in all aspects of the competition and Focus.  They helped set it up, run it, and tear it down and they stayed until the very last case had been packed up.  As you will hear, Sam has a family background in theater production. So he is the reason we could all see underneath that giant canopy. He set up all the lights and ran all the audio for the announcements.  Every morning before we arrived, Jamie Hughes was there ahead of us, and had all the fires lit and ready to go for the competition that day.  Last year, Danny was busy with his duties as the chief steward, so he put Jamie in charge of helping me to retrieve and schedule guests, as well as just overall keeping me watered and fed. Over the past couple of years it has been fun to get to know these two characters. Whenever they work together, the banter is unending and always comical.  So, I thought, let's put them together and do an interview.  I will say the cutting room floor was covered when we were done editing this one.  We just took out a few parts to protect the identities of those involved in the stories of their debauchery. Fear not though, we still left a lot in.  Please excuse the occasional cuss word here and there if you're sensitive to that.  Overall though, we covered the gamut of horseshoeing, from silly to serious. It is always a pleasure to run into these two gentlemen, and I look forward to next year.  I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. The show is sponsored by OutWest Designs and Fabrication your choice for Farrier rigs https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079094490534 Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast

Welcome everyone. As you will hear, I met Jim Hayter a few times by this point through my travels across the pond to Stoneleigh, as well as at the World Championships in Calgary. Each time he was accompanied by his son, George.  As will become quite clear during the interview, Jim is quite proud of his son and all that he has accomplished. When you speak to George, the endearing thing is, that streak runs both ways.  While I haven't had an opportunity to sit down and interview George, I foresee that happening the next time our paths cross. While Jim was quite busy with his duties as the judge for the apprentice teams, he still managed to whittle off a little bit of time for us to sit down and have this chat.  It was a genuine pleasure to get to know this man a bit better. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. The show is sponsored by OutWest Designs and Fabrication your choice for Farrier rigs https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079094490534 Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast  

I was introduced to this gentleman under the big competition marquee at Stoneleigh. I had just run into one of my friends, Ellie-May Buckland, whose interview is also in the pipeline, and she said, you should meet James. He would make a great interview.  So she made the introduction and without hesitation, James agreed to sit down and have a chat. As you will hear, James's career spans many decades and he lived through the various disruptive changes in the world that threatened the trade of farriery. He also has some interesting insights into the various ways that horses were brought back into popularity. We covered a lot of ground, and it was great to hear his stories.  I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. The show is sponsored by OutWest Designs and Fabrication your choice for Farrier Rigs https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079094490534  Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Visit our partner's page: https://mullinsfarrier.com/partners/   

I first met Douwe and his wife Naomi on my first trip to Stoneleigh.  He was one of the judges that year and understandably quite busy. So while we made plans to do the interview then, it didn't work out. Last year, however, Douwe was back, but this time as part of the Dutch team and he had a little bit more time, so he made it happen. You'll hear us briefly allude to it in the conversation, but there is a great story that exemplifies how tough and determined Douwe is as a competitor.  Through Danny Bennett's military-like leadership as the chief steward, he might have even been in the military now that I think of it, the volunteers worked diligently to get the competition arena set up early on the afternoon before so the teams could practice. Team Holland was one of the first to arrive and take advantage of this. Douwe was building a shoe with a striker and something went wrong with the rhythm, causing his hammer to recoil off the sledgehammer and hit him right in the face below the eye. I just happened to be watching as it occurred. Everyone stopped and held their breath. Douwe's striker looked horrified. Douwe touched his face and asked, Is there blood? His partner shook his head and said no. And Douwe said, "Okay, good. Let's go" and carried on. Needless to say, if I ever end up in a bar fight, I hope this man is on my side.  During our conversation, we touched on several topics, including how he and his wife Naomi run two separate shoeing businesses, where they specialize in different areas and use different shoeing techniques. We talk about their bad run of luck after the previous year's Stoneleigh with a house fire, and we talk about his unique side hustle that brought him to North America long before he started competing on this side of the pond.  Anyway, it's always a pleasure to run into this man and I'm glad we were able to do this. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

Welcome everyone.  I'm trying to recall the first time I met this gentleman. I've known him by reputation for years and unfortunately missed a clinic he had put on up in Ontario here a few years back. Everyone who attended had great things to say, so I suffered a sufficient dose of FOMO from missing that one. I finally managed to catch up with Derek Poupard at Stoneleigh last year, and with the help of my esteemed assistant Jamie Hughes, we scheduled him for an interview.  The farrier world seems to attract innovators, and Derek is among the more successful of those. His creation of the 3D pads has created quite a stir throughout the farrier world.  We discussed how his shoeing career took him all over the world. And how his 3D pads are only one of his many inventions. And, he's still innovating, so there will be more to come. Derek's enthusiasm and creative spirit were quite infectious. It was a great pleasure to get to spend some time with this inspiring man.  I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.  The show is sponsored by OutWest Designs and Fabrication your choice for Farrier rigs Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast https://mullinsfarrier.com/partners/  

Today's guest has played an important role in having me over to Stoneleigh the past couple of years, so I could interview farriers from across the pond, promote the BFBA's  Focus Convention, and of course, spend some quality time with my podcast bro, Danny Bennett. As you will hear, Ben is a busy man with a lot of irons in the fire. From his position as a consultant for Team GB and one of the lead farriers for the London, Rio, and Tokyo Olympics, to his tenure as the president of the BFBA, working with his talented team to grow the BFBA Focus into its largest event ever in 2023, And his work running his farrier practice near Banbury in Oxfordshire. He's a hard man to pin down for any length of time.  It only took me two trips across the pond to snag him for an hour and have this conversation. One of the highlights for me is when we really dig into his thoughts on shoeing the hind feet of performance horses for their various disciplines. The result was a lot of practical takeaways and concepts to ponder. Ben's time spent under the tutelage of Haydn Price, as well as his tenure working as a consultant for Team GB, has offered him a very unique vantage point to see these concepts at work in the real world.  Anyway, I learned a lot from this gentleman, and I hope you too enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

I finally got to meet the legendary Sarah-Mary Brown at this year's International at Stoneleigh. Because he was so busy being the chief steward, Danny Bennett left me in the capable hands of Jamie Hughes to arrange guests and keep the interviews coming. I was listing off my wish list of potential guests to Jamie and when I said Sarah Brown, he stopped me instantly and walked away. Seconds later, he came back with Sarah in tow and she agreed to do the interview.  As you will hear, Sarah has an infectiously positive attitude when it comes to all aspects of farriery. Whether it's learning, competing, or pursuing higher level exams, her enthusiasm is quite apparent. Anyway, it was an honour to get to sit and chat with this very talented woman. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.  The show is sponsored by OutWest Designs and Fabrication your choice for Farrier rigs Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000 https://www.facebook.com/p/Outwest-Design-and-Fabrication-100079094490534/  

Today's episode is another one that came out of my visit to the World Championship Blacksmiths competition in Calgary, Alberta. I got to meet Todd for the first time in person while we were both in the periphery of the WCB tent watching as the competitors had their goes. Todd agreed to do an interview and we found a quiet spot up on the balcony of the farrier's lounge and as soon as I pressed record, music started playing and announcements were made in the speakers overhead. I apologize for some of the noise. As you will hear, Todd and I had a wide ranging conversation, covering everything from his apprenticeship with the infamous Poor family, his multiple experiences as a member of the American Farriers team and the WCB team,  and his decision to step back from competing to focus on his young and growing family.  For Todd, it has been an incredible journey, and it isn't over yet. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  This episode is brought to you by OutWest Designs and Fabrication  Until the end of March 2024, mention the podcast and receive $500 off your farrier rig at Outwest Designs and Fabrication https://outwest.ca/ Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000

Welcome, everyone. This interview comes to you once again from Calgary, Alberta at the World Championship Blacksmith's Competition.  As I'm sure you've already gathered, I collected a lot of great interviews from my short visit there.  I came home with a memory card full of them and this one is no exception.  It is unique, however, in that this is the first interview I've done with a blacksmith and as you will hear, blacksmiths can be just as passionate as we are discussing the nuances and intricacies of doing what they do with metal. As you will hear, Dustin donated his beautiful wrought iron hammers as the top ten prizes for the competition. We do a very deep dive into the unique processes that Dustin uses to create these beautiful hammers, and how he tries to stay as stubbornly close to the traditional methods that would have been used way back when. I'm fairly certain that a lot of you traditional shoemakers out there will find yourselves in agreement with many of Dustin's philosophies. For me, his willingness to unselfishly share trade secrets put Dustin in a league with many of the great shoeing mentors that we know of out there. Anyway, I had a great time getting to know this gentleman, and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.   This spisdoe is brought to you by OutWest Design and Fabrication  Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000 

This episode comes out one week after the HoofCare Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio was held.  I spent all four days there and it was great getting to catch up with old friends and meeting new ones. This episode, however, was recorded at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta, during the Blacksmith World Championships. Alex was there with a couple of his fellow countrymen from Switzerland, competing as individuals for the title of World Champion. I had just met Alex the year before at Stoneleigh, competing with those same individuals as a team.  As you will hear, Alex is no stranger to North America and has spent some time here visiting with other farriers.  His easy and outgoing nature seems to help him make friends everywhere he goes, including even famous ones like Hank Chisholm and his wife Stephanie, who just returned from a vacation out there, hosted by Alex and his fellow teammates.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  The show is sponsored by OutWest Designs and Fabrication your choice for Farrier rigs.  FEBRUARY PROMO: For the month of February mention the podcast and receive $500 off your farrier rig at OutWest Designs and Fabrication.  Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier

Today's interview comes from the World Championships in Calgary, Alberta. I had heard about Chad Lausen for years and was happy to finally meet him in England a couple of years back, preparing for Stoneleigh. He was busy with the team prepping, so we didn't have a chance to do the interview there. After his go in Calgary though, we had some time to chat.  I enjoyed hearing Chad's personal and unique philosophies on a lot of topics including business, marketing, and competition.  As you will hear, he is also someone who likes to get involved in making the trade better. And in that spirit, since this recording, he became the president of the Western Canadian Farriers Association. I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes there. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000 #farrier #farriers #farrierlife #farriersofinstagram #podcast #podcasters #podcastersofinstagram #farriertools #cf #cjf #asf #awcf #blacksmith #blacksmith #horseshoes #horseshoers #dipWCF

In this podcast, our guest, James Findler of Langley, British Columbia, shares his expansive career as a farrier with us. From his early days of finding passion in horseshoeing, honing his skills, and competing at world-class levels to mentoring future farriers, James shares his experiences, challenges, and achievements. He also discusses the importance of continuous learning, the mental aspects of the job, the evolution of the farrier industry, and his advice for the younger generation. James emphasizes the significance of preparing well in advance, valuing quality over speed, and not only focusing on the present task but also looking ahead when shoeing horses. Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 03:05 First Encounter with James Findler 03:31 James Findler's Experience at the World Championships 03:56 The Early Days of Horseshoeing 04:09 The Formation of the First Canadian Horseshoeing Team 04:46 The Influence of Legends 06:47 The Journey to Becoming a Farrier 15:51 The Importance of Proper Horseshoeing 19:11 The Impact of Competing at a Higher Level 24:51 The Honor of Judging at Major Competitions 26:17 Preparing for the Big Moment 26:55 Dealing with Pressure and Nerves 28:03 The Power of Preparedness 28:14 The Importance of Focus and the 'Zone' 29:55 The Role of Apprentices and Team Members 30:56 Advice for the Younger Generation 31:17 The Joy of the Farrier Industry 32:24 The Evolution of the Farrier Industry 34:18 The Stratum Tectorium: Short Answer Questions 39:16 The Future: Retirement and Beyond 39:44 The Challenges and Rewards of Being a Farrier 46:19 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000 

Welcome everyone. This episode comes from me a week after getting back from Vern Powell's brainchild, the Farrier Clinic in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  This year, yet again, was an incredible experience with meeting many new friends and getting to hang out with old ones.  I got another bunch of great interviews done, so stay tuned for those in the new year.  Today's episode was recorded in Calgary at the World Championships, where I finally got to meet one of my heroes. Thanks to a nudge from Spud Allison, another legend I hope to get on here at some point, I was able to convince him to do an interview. As with all of the legends that I get an opportunity to sit and have a chat with, I left this conversation feeling like I wish we had had more time. As you will hear, Bob Marshall is full of great stories, and I feel like we just scratched the surface on what he has to share. But then again, how do you fit a lifetime into just an hour? All that said, it was an honour to get to spend some time with this gentleman.  Here's an early Christmas present for you all. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000 

 I met today's guest many years ago in the Heartland, when he was practicing quite a bit with Cody Gregory. More recently, I've run into him a bunch, at Stoneleigh, the AFA convention, and in Calgary at the World Championships. Adam was always so busy competing at these events that we never had a chance to sit down and do an interview.  Calgary was finally our chance, and after an earlier round for Adam one day, we went up to the Farrier's Bar at Spruce Meadows and sat on the balcony overlooking the trade show hall. Unfortunately, the music and ambient noise intruded on the recording and drowned out Adam a bit. Not to worry though, Heather over at Twisted Spur Media worked her magic and there are only a few instances where Adam's voice sounds a little bit distorted. Almost like the audio version of an over-pixelated picture. Don't worry though, ladies, overall, Adam's smooth southern voice comes through loud and clear. As you will hear, he is full of wisdom, and there were a ton of quotable lines from him. One of my personal favorites is that, "As farriers, we live life at 90".  I think that should be put on a t-shirt or something.  I was also quite inspired by his concept of improving 1 percent each day and how over 365 days,  that's a lot of improvement. This concept of marginal gains came up in quite a few of my interviews at Stoneleigh this year as well. I guess if so many top competitors and prevalent farriers are all talking about it, there must be something to it.   I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000  

Welcome everyone. A little shopkeeping before we start. Dr. Simon Curtis is hosting his last webinar of the year on December 6th.  It's called the Hough Rehab Webinar with Marty Sala and Paige Posse.  For tickets to this event, go to  www.eventbrite.co.uk and look up the Hoof Rehab Webinar with Dr. Simon Curtis. And don't forget to enter Mullins as the discount code at checkout.  This episode is being released just after hosting my good friend Cody Gregory for a one-day forging clinic at Andrew DeVisser's shop in Paris, Ontario and then a two-day whole horse dissection at the McKee-Pownall Clinic in Schomburg, Ontario. As usual, Cody knocked it out of the park with both clinics. Cody is the king of full immersion, and Equine Anatomy has been one of his deep dives. About 40 whole horse dissections later, he has teaching it down to an art. If you're interested in setting up one for your own association or group, I would highly recommend reaching out to him. Go to  www.codygregoryllc.com and send him a message through his site. Today's interview comes from my time spent at Stoneleigh this year, and we've released it first in the queue of many interviews I did there because of its topical nature. You may recognize Tom Smith's voice from the episode I did with the Farriers Registration Council last year. As the chair of the council, Tom has a unique perspective on the controversy surrounding the diploma and higher-level exams in England through the Worshipful Company of Farriers.  I would highly recommend that you listen to both the FRC and the Worshipful Company episodes. If you're not familiar with the organizations and the jobs that they fulfill for farriery in England,  then to make you do even more homework, I would point you to the BFBA's website at www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk and search for the press releases on the farriery endpoint assessment updates under the latest news tab. I feel like with this little bit of leg work, you will have a much better understanding of the situation.   Ever since meeting Tom last year, I wanted to sit down with him and understand why he took the often thankless position he has with the FRC and what his journey to become an FWCF was like. After our relatively brief first encounter, my instincts told me that he was going to be an inspiring guest and as you will hear, he did not disappoint. Thoughtful, driven, and not afraid to tackle the hard things, Tom has accomplished many impressive goals.  You'll even hear us get a little choked up about our respective truck dogs who recently passed.  I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000   

This episode is being released just a week after I arrived back home from Stoneleigh and Farrier Focus. Once again, England took home first prize but it was incredible to watch the American team come so very close to almost upsetting that victory.  Once again, I had a fantastic time hanging out with my podcasting buddy, Danny Bennett, and so many other now-familiar friends and faces.  Danny was busy this year as the chief steward for The International, so he lined me up with Jamie Hughes as my podcast PA.  Jamie was an amazing help, lining up guests, as well as keeping me watered and fed. You will hear his episode where I interviewed him and his partner in crime Sam Masters in the new year. Today's guest was at Stoneleigh as part of the team representing Sweden.  I met him for the first time last year at the International and then again in Calgary where he was competing as an individual at the world championships. Once he had finished his final go, we sat down and did this interview. It's always a pleasure to run into Johannes. His determination to get better and his brutal honesty are attributes that I always find inspiring whenever I run into him. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000  This episdoe is generously sponsored by Outwest Design and Fabircation https://outwest.ca/

Welcome everyone. At Focus last year, Ben Benson, the president of the BFBA, approached me about doing a few panel discussions. I hope in the future to be able to interview both of these gentlemen separately at some point, Marc Jerram BSc (Hons) Grad Dip ELR CJF AWCF Master Farrier and Dr. David Marlin BSc (Hons), PhD. As you will hear, they both have a lot of information to share and we only scrape the surface of their knowledge. Maybe I'll catch one of them this year as I head to Focus again today. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000 

The conversation you're about to hear occurred at the Focus Convention last year at Stoneleigh at the end of October, it isn't too late to buy tickets for this year's Focus Convention, if you do, stop by the Farriers Foundation booth and buy some swag or throw a wet sponge at somebody or whatever activity they have set up this year. As you will hear, it all goes to a very important cause. You will hear me say that there aren't any organizations like this in North America and that isn't completely true. The International Association of Professional Farriers has a program set up for their members, where if somebody gets hurt, a group of their members get together and help them take care of the horses on their books. It's a different program, but it has a similar end result. There may be similar programs throughout North America that I'm not familiar with, and if so, please reach out on social media and let me know about them. I know in my area, it has always been a very spontaneous thing, but there never seems to be a lack of farriers willing to help each other out, a fact that makes me very proud to be part of this profession. Anyway, this is yet another episode where Danny Bennett and I teamed up to do the interview. As you will hear, these gentlemen are very passionate about their cause and put a lot of work into making it happen. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. The Farriers Foundation https://www.thefarriersfoundation.co.uk/index.htm Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000 

Welcome, everyone.  Before we get started, I would like to say a special thank you to the gracious sponsor of this episode's Stratum Tectorium. Outwest Design and Fabrication. You can see all of their beautifully made farrier and vet bodies on full display on their Facebook page. While you're there, maybe just reach out and tell them ~ Thank you for making this episode possible. Way back in one of the first episodes of the podcast, I had complained to a guest that I was struggling to get my hands on a copy of Chris Gregory's forging book, the one that he had written before his infamous textbook. Shortly thereafter, a stranger I'd never met sent me my own copy. He apparently had two. I've had the great pleasure of meeting this gentleman several times since mostly at the HoofCare Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio where Mike Bagley JIICF, APF-I is a constant fixture at the IAPF's booth in the trade show hall. As you will hear he's a kind and humble man who really wants to give back to the industry that has given him so much. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000 

Welcome, everyone. Well, at this point, the fires have all cooled and the winners have gone home with their medals from the World Championships at Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament in Calgary, Alberta. Today's interview was recorded back at the beginning of the year at the Hoof Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, and you will hear Jack say that competing at the World Championships blacksmith competition was on his bucket list. I'm happy to report that he did make the list. As I'm recording this before heading out there, and before the competition, I apologize, but I can't tell you how he did. Speaking of international farrier competitions, do you have your flights booked yet for the International at Stoneleigh in England? It's coming up quickly and you might as well attend the focus convention while you're there. Visit www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk for more details. Today's episode is proudly sponsored by Spencer and his team at Outwest Design and Fabrication, where they build farrier bodies, custom interiors, vet boxes and just about anything else you can come up with. I have seen many of their finished products and spoken to many of their happy clients. So happy in fact that it inspired me to use them for my next project. Check them out on Facebook at Outwest Design and Fabrication. As you listen to today's guest, you may think that you accidentally changed your podcast app's speed to double time but that's just the speed that Jack Ketel's mind works. I had only known this man by reputation for the many years that he had been on the Canadian team and it was a true pleasure to finally get to meet him in person and have this conversation. As you will quickly come to realize, dust does not settle on this man and he has a very unique ability to always make life an adventure. I found him quite inspiring, and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Today's episode is proudly sponsored by Outwest Design and Fabrication  https://outwest.ca/ Buy The Show A Virtual Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mullinsfarrierpodcast Swag Shop USA: https://urstore.net/group/mullins-farrier Swag Shop Canada: https://urstore.ca/group/mullins-farrier_531000