GRD Equine Services

My favourite part about this job is getting to help horses feel better. Getting on a regular cycle will have this horse feeling like a million bucks.

What a good little write up!

Before and after on an overgrown mini. I love helping these little guys feel better.

Little rehab mare on the books. Regular hoof care and a proper diet can make a huge difference in 4 months.

Glad to start the week trimming this Clydesdale mare. Unfortunately her patience was up before I could get an after photo.

Just a little preventative measure that may help.

The blood vascular system of the hoof... I just can’t get over how intricate it is

A beautiful, healthy hoof! Despite being a little overgrown. A good diet, room to exercise and proper minerals are the first step towards a healthy hoof.

Great way to start off the week with a pair of front shoes.

I am your farrier....I drive backroads every day looking for you and your horses. I argue with the GPS lady about which turns to make, how far to drive, where t...o go next. I touch hundreds of horses and I love them. This farrier thing is much more than my job, it's my life. I do more than nail shoes on your horses feet or trim away excess hoof. I train them, help them be confident, assure them life will be okay. I am the guy who is the first line against poor performance or unsoundness. I work hard to make your horse and you comfortable, sound, and happy. I pet your dogs, play with your kids, compliment your barn. Ive helped you catch horses, worm them, give them shots and not once did I charge your for these little extras. I'm happy to help. My hands are scarred and rough, yet gentle and kind. Sometimes I bleed for you. My knees are pocked with hundreds of tiny nail holes and yet you never know I hurt or I'm sore and stiff and tired. I would keep working under any conditions because this is more than my job or my work, it's who I am. I see happy, well cared for horses with bright sunny stalls and I see horses mired in muck and urine. I work with healthy, happy horses and horses who have given every ounce of their heart and soul for your pleasure. Sadly I also see horses that, through ignorance or neglect, are misused, abused and unhappy. Some days I have to bite my tongue and some days I speak my mind about how you treat your horses. I am your farrier. Ive watched your kids grow, Ive seen your life bloom. Ive been there when tragedy struck and when you experienced the happiness I wish for you always. A warm or cool dry place with level ground is all I ask for most of the time. For your horses to stand quietly and to be paid on time. When you think of me, think of the long hours, the hot days, the rain and wind, think of the good things Ive done for you and your horse. Think of me as a professional. Think of me as a caring, sincere person who truly wants the best for you and your horse. You've never paid me for the nails I drive or the steel I shape, you pay me for the knowledge I have. I thirst for that knowledge and I hunger to apply that knowledge. I am proud of what I do and my vow to you is this, I will try hard to be better tomorrow than I was today. I will first, do no harm and most of all, I am your farrier. Photo Credit: Andi Weishaupt

Nice little article explaining there is no difference in strength between different coloured hooves. It’s just a pigmentation difference.

Too often I hear complaints from horse owners about a Farrier. The Farrier doesn’t return their call, cancels their appointment, is in a foul mood, etc. I would... ask those same horse owners to consider the following questions (many of which also apply to your Veterinarian as well ) 1) are your horses caught up and waiting when your Farrier arrives? Your Farrier doesn’t have time to catch them or wait for you to try and catch them. 2) do your horses stand well for the Farrier? Your Farrier doesn’t have time to train your horses and isn’t getting paid for it. Work with your horses so they will allow their leg to be held for several minutes and allow hammering if you expect shoes to be placed. 3) are your horses legs covered in mud? Take a little time to at least clean their legs off. 4) do you have an adequate place for your Farrier to setup and work? This doesn’t have to be fancy. But it should be free of clutter, relatively flat, out of the mud, and out of the elements if possible? You may not have a barn, but a nice shade tree will do during the hot days of summer. A place out of the wind if it’s cold. Adequate lighting is a must if you expect your Farrier to do their best. 5) do you pay your Farrier at the time of service, or at least in a timely manner if an invoice is left? Your Farrier is not as wealthy as you may think. They depend on that money to pay their bills and care for their family just as much as you do. 6) does your horse constantly lose or bend shoes because they paw the fence, kick the wall, stand in mud or a pond, are in a paddock with a bunch of exposed tree roots, etc? We all know horses can be very adept at pulling shoes. But if there are things you as a horse owner can do to lessen the likelihood, then by all means do it. Especially if your Farrier has mentioned it to you. You likely don’t realize your Farrier loses money when they have to return to fix a shoe; even if you pay them. There’s little way to recoup the cost of that visit to their business. 7) do you keep your horses on a regular trimming or shoeing cycle? Don’t let your horses go weeks overdue. This causes more work for your Farrier to get that foot back to looking and working it’s best.....at the same price. Most Farriers make their schedule up weeks in advance based on what horses sk be due then. Don’t leave scheduling to the last minute as they are less likely to have time for you and will be in a hurry if they squeeze you in. So if any of the above questions give you pause, then perhaps there are opportunities for you to make your Farrier know they are appreciated and their work is valued.

I'm goin to be honest. I'm the one who shod both of this two horses. Completely different results. And do you know why? The one to the left didn't stand still f...or a single second. I'm amazed i even got the shoes on. But I did. On Internet it's very easy to sit behind the screen and criticise harshly without knowing the history behind a photo. Owners can easily put out a photo on a hoof and people will say to the owner to change farrier and demand money back. Without having basic facts that the farrier who tried shoeing the horse risked his/her life to even give it a try. Be humble. Think twice. Find out the real story behind a photo. Because one photo does not tell the whole story. See more

A new study about laminitis shows it is just as common as colic - with one in ten horses having an episode each year. It also reveals it is a year-round threat ...rather than a springtime disease. This extremely painful equine foot condition is linked to around 15% of UK equine deaths. The study was led by Dr Danica Pollard, a PhD student at the Royal Veterinary College. It was conducted by the Animal Health Trust in collaboration with Rossdales Equine Hospital, and funded by World Horse Welfare. Dr.Pollard commented : "The earlier an episode is recognised, the earlier action can be taken to give that animal the best chance of recovery. We also encourage owners to consult their vets if they suspect laminitis and to work together with their vets and farriers as part of a ‘laminitis recovery’ team.. More online: https://buff.ly/2FJvLun See more

New year, big changes. I am now accepting clients for trimming and hot shoeing. Servicing Leduc, Tofield, Sherwood Park, Camrose and surrounding areas. Willing to travel farther for a large number of horses.

Lovely way to start off the new year with a pair on a Thoroughbred gelding.

Very informative article about hoof morphology and why the mustang roll is detrimental.

Had an absolutely wonderful time learning and competing at the 2018 Olds Classic Horseshoeing Competition this past weekend. Met some new friends and caught up with some old ones. So thankful to the sponsors and the team who put together and hosted the event. Super thrilled with my 3rd place overall finish in Division 1. Can’t wait for the next one.

Currently accepting trimming clients in and around Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Leduc and Beaumont. I am an Olds College graduate with 2 top 10 places at Alberta Blacksmithing Competitions and under the tutelage of an American Farrier Association Certified Journeyman Farrier. Contact for pricing and availability.

A really good article for farriers and clients alike to read!

Just a friendly reminder from a fellow Farrier. Thank you.

https://www.facebook.com/kate.lawrick/posts/2074127605945078

GRD Equine Services is now accepting trimming clients in Edmonton, Leduc, Tofield, Sherwood Park, Devon, Spruce Grove, Fort Saskatchewan and surrounding areas. Contact for rates and availability.