For hundreds of years, books on horseshoeing have followed a very similar format. The books have focused exclusively on the mechanical aspect of shoeing. Some reflect the author’s passion for the forge while others focus on shoeing to overcome numerous gait and lameness issues.

Many Skills Needed For Success

However, most professional farriers understand shoeing the horse is only one of the many required skills that must be mastered to operate a successful farrier practice. As the owner and operator of a small business, you must develop accounting, business, people and many other skills.

Arguably the most prolific author today of educational material on the subject of the many aspects of horseshoeing is Dr. Doug Butler, CJF, FWCF. In Principles of Horseshoeing III, we were introduced to Butler’s son, Jacob Butler, CJF. And in Essential Principles of Horseshoeing, we are introduced to another of Butler’s sons, Peter Butler, CJF.

Doug Butler has written about some of the non-mechanical skills that are necessary to be a successful farrier business owner in “Shoeing in Your Right Mind” and “Six-Figure Shoeing.” In Butler’s newest book, “Essential Principles of Horseshoeing,” he intertwines both the mechanical and non-mechanical skills that must be developed if you are to become the dominant farrier in your area.

In the 294-page book, Butler breaks down the farrier profession into 10 chapters. Each chapter discusses in detail the specific skill set that must be developed in order to become successful. In addition, audio tapes of the text and scanable QR…