Bradley's Farrier Blog

Link: http://1stchoicehorseshoeing.com/DropSoleShoe.htm

Well here we are closing in on winter, were things tend to slow down some here in the Kootenays.

Thank-you to all of my loyal clients, I hope you all don't forget about your horses feet when they are hiding in a snow bank.
And to all of my former Clients (for what ever reason), well, Bless your heart and Bless your Sole.

I guess I have told most of you about the horseshoe that I invented back in '04. Well "The American Farrier Journal" picked up my article from my website and ran it in their Sept/Oct '07 issue.

It is quite an honor to be written up in such a prestigious glossy magazine. You can check it out on my website at; Drop Sole Horseshoe

As I was thinking about the new shoe and it's use, I am hoping that other Farriers will give it a try if they think it is what the horse needs. And if they don't have a welder or have trouble forging the shoe, there is purchase links on the bottom of the page, and I will send the desired amount of shoes, FREE SHIPPING F.O.B. North America.

I have a couple of other projects that I am about to start, and will let you know as they come up.

My eBook Store is doing well, and as it is a .ca, I have just acquired the .com, which is always the desired address if you can have it. Darrell Hubbs, the original owner of TheEbookStore.com had always hoped to have a store online, but never got around to it, and as soon as I saw that it was up for sale, well I had to have it, and he graciously sold it to me for an undisclosed amount of money.
I will post the launch date when it happens.

Bradley SaintJohn
1st Choice Horseshoeing

Welcome to Bradleys Farrier blog.

I was at Tina's place today shoeing her horses, when what do you know, her dog and rooster start their hi-ginks.

Check it out.

Dog & Rooster

Bradley SaintJohn
1stChoiceHorseShoeing.com

I got a funny call the other day.
"Hello"
"You the Farrier" said this gruff voice.
"Yes, how can I help you"
"How long you been a Farrier"
"Six Years"
"How many horses you got?"
I laughed and said "None, does that matter?"
"Yeup" he said.
So we talked about could he see my work, and not just any one could work on his horses. After asking he told me his horses were Reigners.
At which point we both hung up, and I thought I may hear from him again, but likely not.

He wanted to see my work, and being winter I only had one client horse that had shoes on, and was an 8 hr round trip for this fellow, but called my shod client and asked if I could give her phone number as a reference, to which she said "But of course!"

The call to the reigner was not as favorable as I thought it would be, and hung up thinking I should not have called.

A week later I got a call, "Well, come out," his wife said, " and we will let you trim a horse, and see how you do."
That is what I wanted to hear, just let me under a horse.

I arrived to meet his wife, and we proceeded to trim the crookedest leg that I have ever seen. When I put the foot down, we were both impressed the foot actually looked good. So I trimmed another, and started to shoe the husbands horse, as he drove up the road to get there. I was preparing the shoe, as he walked around, he lift the one foot and put it back down, not saying anything. He was a tall, mountain of a man, maybe in his late twenties. He continued to be silent until I had the shoes on, at which point he said, "Nice work . . . Slow as all get out, but nice work". As he walked around, about all he could say was "Nice work".

When I was done for the day, we talked about his last Farrier, and I found out that, this owner wanted the foot to be stood up. That’s all, and each time the Farrier would say "Sure ok", and never did.

I was called back to do his brothers horses, and at that time two neighbor ladies came by to book me as well. All toll, that was, make one person happy, and I got to add thirteen new horses to my list.

Mr. Gruff is really a nice guy, appreciative, and loves his horses to walk, and move well. All in a days work, I figure.

Bradley SaintJohn
www.1stChoiceHorseShoeing.com

Well here we are, Spring has arrived, and everyone is ready for riding. Yippy, it was a long winter, so most are saying.

One thing I noticed, coming from the coast were the season slows down but does not stop, here, in the snowy country were it does stop, when we get back to it, the horses are a little out of shape, and a little out of desire to please.

Thinking about this whilst I was under a horse bent over and him yanking, pulling, and leaning on me, I also realized I was a little out of shape. Long slow winter and all. So that night as I entered the house at home, I was carrying my Lunge line, and handed it to my wife. "She said what am I to do with this". To which I replied, "Clip it to a button hole and take me out side, and lunge me, I'm a little out of shape".

Point being, if you would like to help out your Farrier in the spring, start the horses work regiment a little earlier, get him/her a little ready for the farrier. The horses willingness is a big factor in getting the job done quickly, safely, and less strain on your Farriers back.

Bradley SaintJohn
www.1stChoiceHorseShoeing.com

Well got called to a new client today, and was happy to see this horse.
He is a pmu horse from Alberta, but I'll tell you he acted like a Saddlebred. His head was high, and he has alert to the goings on across the way. He was almost unmanageable and I wanted to lunge him, but the owner said he would go berserk. So, I qued’ into the horse and spent some time walking him and backing him up. You know just to get to know him, and him me. Rubbed him, and such. It wasn't long and we got along just fine and we were done the trim before you'd know it.
It is nice when it turns out nice, especially when the first thought is "we are done here, before we get started".

Painted pmu - before trim