Matt Hillegas CJF

In this episode of the Mullins Farrier Podcast, we sit down with Alexandra (Alex) Hamilton, farrier from Vancouver Island and current president of the Western Canadian Farriers Association. Alex shares her journey into farriery, from getting started as a 4H kid and beginning her apprenticeship at just 16 years old, to attending Olds College and building a career working with everything from backyard horses to high-performance barns. We discuss the importance of continuing education, strengthening farrier connections across Western Canada, and the work being done by the WCFA to bring more clinics and opportunities to farriers across the region. Alex also talks about her annual winter travel breaks, the importance of stepping away to avoid burnout, and how the Canadian Farriers Testing System came to be. It's a great conversation about the farrier community, volunteering, welcoming the next generation, and finding a sustainable balance in the profession. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For more information on the Western Canadian Farrier's Association and the great events that they host, go to: wcfa.ca For more information on Chris Gregory's Farriery Skills Mastery program, go to: https://www.skool.com/farriery-mastery-chris-gregory/about?ref=94846437cc2b4f139217a2bf958a9be9

In this episode, Stewart Coid DipWCF takes us through his journey into farriery, from growing up in Zimbabwe to building a career shoeing polo ponies and hunters in the UK. Stewart shares insights into the demands of polo shoeing, how changes in the type of ponies have influenced shoeing techniques, and his thoughts on everything from modern tools and glue products to the importance of keeping traditional shoemaking skills in apprenticeships. He also opens up about a serious back injury sustained in 2019 and offers some valuable advice for the next generation of farriers: pace yourself, save your money, and make sure you have accident insurance. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For access to the full length episode and to support the podcast, please subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Head DipWCF, a third-generation farrier from North Buckinghamshire, England, to talk about his remarkable journey through the farrier trade, competitive shoeing, international travel, motorsport, and the development of Vulcan Horseshoes. To learn more about Vulcan Horseshoes and the rest of the products MNC Ltd. has to offer, go to: horseshoes.co.uk

This week on the Mullins Farrier Podcast, we're talking Glue-U/Glushu with Peter Loots from the Netherlands and UK farrier Mark Aikens. From the development of adhesives designed specifically for farriery to the ins and outs of glue-on shoeing, this conversation covers the products, techniques, and preparation that make all the difference. They discuss applications for challenging hoof conditions, dental impression materials, acrylic repairs, new product developments, and the importance of proper health and safety when working with adhesives. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For more information on their products, go to: Glushu.com Glu-U.com For more information on Chris Gregory's online learning platform: Skool.com/farriery-mastery For more information on Tom Smith's farrier business coaching program: Forgesmart.co.uk

From a difficult childhood in Brazil to becoming a leading jockey, winning the Queen's Plate, battling addiction and anxiety, and ultimately finding recovery, Eurico Da Silva shares a deeply personal story in this episode. Now a sports psychology coach and author of Racing for Freedom, Eurico opens up about trauma, mental health, performance mindset, and the importance of focusing on what you can control. He also talks about his work with retired thoroughbreds at The Long Run and how horses continue to play a major role in helping people heal. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For more information on Tom Smith's program Forgesmart go to: forgesmart.co.uk Eurico's book Racing for Freedom can be found on Amazon For more information on his coaching and the program Eurico runs at Long Run Stables: eec.horse   To hear this episode in its entirety and support the podcast: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

In this episode of Farrier Phone a Friend, Andrew DeVisser, CJF, joins for a wide-ranging conversation covering busy summer schedules, lessons from The Toyota Way, and the new trailer forge, the Fletcher Forge and Tool FFT-200. They get into forge efficiency, burner design, firebrick durability, vehicle choices, working with veterinarians and X-rays, rising material costs, crushed heels, pads and frog support, and the benefits of having a helper in the field. Lots of practical ideas, problem-solving, and farrier talk packed into this one. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For access to the full length episode, subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com  

Marc-Antony Lussier CJF, sat down with Brian at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany to talk about all things farriery. He was there cheering on his partner, the accomplished Dressage Rider Camille Bergeron, as she rode for Canada. They discuss his journey to the CJF and his strategies for overcoming the more challenging components of the exam. They also talk about some difficult cases he has worked on at home while getting immediate objective rider feedback from Camille.  Marc-Antony's keenness to learn and improve has taken him far in this trade in a relatively short period of time. And that journey is only beginning. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. To purchase tickets for this year's BFBA Focus: www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk   To subscribe for full length episodes: www.mullinsfarrier.supercast.com`

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Hillegas, CJF, a farrier from New Windsor, Maryland, whose nearly 40-year career has been shaped by a commitment to never stop learning. Matt shares how pursuing his AFA certification after decades of shoeing challenged long-held beliefs and opened the door to becoming a tester and board member. We also talk about shoeing hunters, jumpers, and equitation horses, how small changes can make a big difference in performance, and why slowing down has made him a better farrier. Matt shares many tidbits of wisdom he has accrued over the years as well as his philosophies on teaching and learning new concepts.   I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

In this episode, I sit down with Brendan Paulson, CF, to talk about building a stronger future for the farrier industry through his nonprofit, Shod with Love. Created to help farriers access continuing education, certification, and the tools they need to succeed, Brendan shares the inspiration behind the organization and his vision for giving back to the trade. We also dive into his own path into farriery, the value of certification, running a practice in New Hampshire, handling difficult horses, pricing, travel, and the everyday realities of life under horses. Whether you're just getting started or have been shoeing for years, there's plenty to take away from this conversation. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For more information on clinics and ways to support Shod With Love go to: www.shodwithlove.org For access to this episode in its entirety, please subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

In this episode, Brian does a deeper dive into the topic of burnout. Referencing the episode he did on the topic back in the first season, he delivers a more informative account of it's three defined symptoms and six causes according to the research of Christina Maslach. He also relates these symptoms and causes to the farrier trade and offers some advice to mitigate it's effects. In the midst of a busy show season, this is information he hopes will help some of his peers. For access to full length episodes, please subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com