Brian Crandall

We are very blessed to have Brian Crandall as a farrier in western Colorado, showing a passion for his work and animals as he is out in our community daily. Working as a farrier for 10 years, Brian Crandall has helped hundreds of horses in western Colorado. He runs his business full time and still has time to give back to thevlocal community by sharing his skills to the local 4H groups, Boy Scouts, "Western Colorado Horse Expo" and "Farm and Ranch Days" to share only a few groups he has worked with over the years.

Brian also teaches classes at the Western Colorado Communtiy College on understanding the equine hoof and its proper care. These classes are in three sessions and cover lower leg anatomy and how it relates to conformation of the horse, lamnessess of horses, and finally founder and how to care/ treat this issue. These classes benefit horse owners and upcoming owners.

Local horse rescues also benefit from Crandall's services as well, and he finds a great challenge and appreciaton in providing care to equines who have special needs with their feet and legs. He happily takes on the new challenges they have brought into their facilities.

We all who know and use Brian's services, feel confident in his skills and respect his work ethic and opinions. He has helped all of us become better horse owners by sharing the knowledge and skills he has and continues to perfect. Keep up the great work and thank you!

— Larissa Gilbert
(Fruita, Colo.)

When Brian Crandall took over the farrier work for my small horse herd, we had two healthy horses and one older mare with Cushing's disease and serious founder problems. But, Mariah was my grown daughter's former 4-H horse and we couldn't part with her.

Brian immediately began investigating different ways of treating a horse with her problems while consulting our veterinarian. Over the next few years, he tried a variety of methods of trimming and shoeing her to relieve her constant pain and make her as comfortable as possible. She was never entirely sound again, but with Brian's caring efforts — he often called a few days after we tried something new, just to see how she was doing — Mariah was able to live life much more comfortably. When our daughter came home to visit, she was even able to take her on short trail rides.

When we finally had to put Mariah down at age 22, it was colic that got her, not Cushing's or founder. Brian Crandall had kept her on her feet, ambulatory and happy for more than five years. None of the other farriers we have used were able to do so much for her.

Although we don't have any horses with such serious problems now, Brian Crandall still does all our farrier work, handling trusted older horses and skittish youngsters with equal skill and patience. He offers sensible advice when any problems develop. But, most telling of all, my horses don't run the other way when the farrier arrives. They stand by the gate, awaiting their halters and their turns with Brian.

— Robert Silbernagel
(Palisade, Colo.)

For many years I had the same farrier. He would come every 8 weeks, whether I was home or not. He would just send me a bill and I really liked the system. It was easy and consistent. However, about 7 years ago, he moved away. At the time, I had three horses and one donkey. There is a dearth of trimmers and farriers in my area, so I was not certain how to proceed.

Many of my neighbors had jumped on board with the barefoot trim philosophy. One of my horses has always been barefoot, so that was an easy decision. Another one adjusted fairly readily, but Etoile was miserable. When her shoes were pulled, she could barely take a step on the lawn, let alone the road or a trail. Her toes were long, her soles were thin and her heels were contracted. I tried using boots and barefoot trimmers for a year, but she was still miserable. I started hauling her 100 miles to a veterinarian every 8 weeks. He did X-rays and nerve blocks, which were pretty remarkably. He referred me to a farrier that he recommended, and I stayed with this team for a year. When there was no significant improvement, I saved my gasoline and attempted to have her go barefoot again. This was not any more successful the second time around.

I hauled Etoile to another vet, also 100 miles away. This vet treated her with a series of Legend shots, as there was concern about her shoulder. He also recommended that Brian Crandall shoe my horse. That was about 18 months ago. Etoile has been the most sound during the past 18 months than she has been in 7 years. When turned out, she bucks and runs and has a grand time. She is not 100%, but she is happy and ride-able. Out of 20 feet (three donkeys and two horses) Brian uses two shoes, only for Etoile’s front feet. Everyone else is barefoot. Brian is a very professional and kind person. He is consistent, he is prompt, he has a great personality and he has really helped my horse. He is willing to advise, but also accommodate. Brian is someone that I would recommend without hesitation.

— Terry Galen
(Moab, Utah)