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/

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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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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.

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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 [email protected] 

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

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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