McLaren Farrier Services

With the weather really coming around nicely everyone is getting eager to get there horses feet taken care of. Just a friendly reminder before an appointment please try and have a dry and reasonably flat working area. Also try and clean up the mud as best you can. It’s hard on tools which as we all know those prices never get cheaper. Another great suggestion is to try and brush your horses regularly not only so it’s not all over us but to prevent horses from itching and encouraging healthy coat growth. Again McLaren Farrier Services would like to thank our loyal customers and excited to get really busy!! See you all soon!!

We finally get to let everyone know that we are now operating close to Paradise Hill. What does this mean for you? -Outdoor Clinics... -Private training pens -Trail ride training -Birthday Parties -Outdoor Paint and Ride events Plus much more to come! Stay tuned for dates on events as we get everything set up. If there is a specific event your interested in attending please let us know and we will send you all the information needed.

Most people think of horse racing and consider just the horse and the race part of it. Not many people think of all that goes on behind the scenes and how many ...people and businesses are involved in just one racehorse. Some of these include Trainers, grooms, jockeys, exercise riders, farriers, hay suppliers, feed stores, tack stores, and vets. One stable of racehorses supports so many. Not having horse racing in Saskatchewan last year hurt many people in the Ag industry, but a lot of industries have been hurt. We took it in stride and made the best of it. We were all hoping that 2021 would be back to normal and we would be racing again. Many people paused their programs and hung onto their horses for 2021 or went to another racing jurisdiction to contribute to the Ag industry in other provinces. With news that racing in 2021 is very unlikely, it has been very devastating not only to the people directly involved with the racehorses themselves but also for the many people and businesses that rely on incomes that operating a racehorse stable generates. National Ag Day is something to celebrate in this province as it is such a massive part of Saskatchewan. However, this year, I cannot help but feel sad as I will no longer be able as a trainer to support the Ag industry in my own province because horse racing is not getting the support it deserves from the government or the operators of Marquis Downs. I know there are many in the Ag industry that feel the very same way. The only hope I have is knowing how strong the Ag and horse racing community is and knowing we will not go down without a fight. Jamie Hartmann #CdnAgDay #SaskAg #horseracingsk

Economists have long confirmed that for every racehorse you see on the track, horseracing supports the equivalent of five full-time jobs. Diverse jobs that aren...'t just at the racetrack. Agriculture producers, almost 70 percent of horse racing's expenditure are directed to rural suppliers, are at the top of the list. They are needed to grow the hay and oats, the bedding straw and maintain the pastureland on to which horses are turned-out onto during the off-season. Agriculture producers, in turn, buy farm implements to plant, grow and sustain these crops. Veterinarians in rural and urban communities, with their staff, are continuously employed to care for these highly trained athletes. General and specialty stores sell all the products used to achieve the high standard of husbandry necessary for a competitive athlete. All of the breeding, rearing and much of racehorses' training takes place on farms; thus, much of these retail purchases are in rural communities. The economy is greater than simply the sum of its parts; but, it needs all of those parts to be great. In Saskatchewan's economy, horseracing is often overlooked and undervalued. The breeding, the training, the racing and the off-track use of retired thoroughbreds weaves horseracing into the dynamic fabric of the province's economic and social wellbeing. When you know what you are looking for, looking at, when I make that drive between Regina and Saskatoon, just a glimpse of Saskatchewan, I see horse racing's impact. Les Butler #CdnAgDay #SaskAg #horseracingsk Les Butler managed both Queensbury Downs and Marquis Downs and was the Executive Vice President of Racetracks of Canada and The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Also, the Chief Executive of horseracing and gaming at Northlands Park for 15-years.

Fall Lesson Series Starting September 14th 5 weeks total 1 weekly lesson that’ll be 1-1.5 hours long $200... Day/time slots available: If you need something later then 5pm start time send me a message! Tuesday’s BOOKED Thursdays BOOKED Friday’s 5pm or 6pm start Saturday’s 10am Requirements: -5 years of age or older -Helmet -Boots with a 1-1.5 heel -Jeans -Signed waiver form

Online Ground Work Clinic Sept 4th to 8th $50/horse and rider $40 if your participating with a HHA or 5 Freedoms adopted horse... Maximum of 15 participants 50% will go to Horse Heroes Alberta How will it work? You will be invited to a private Facebook group. I will post tasks, patterns, tips, and instruction videos. You can post up to 5 videos, and as many questions as you’d like. I will give feedback, advice, and ways to advance on each video. You can see everyone else’s videos/feedback and questions to learn from. This is a learning environment, no judgement, no harassment, no talking down on anyone. Positive comments only, feedback is only allowed to be given by instructor. You are welcome to ask questions on other participants videos as long as it is not in a negative nature. It is your responsibility to post videos and participate within your clinic time. It is best to post unedited videos, showing the good and bad moments. You will also receive 50% off your first private in person lesson. Value up to $20, no refunds or exchanges. Cannot be transferred to anyone. Valid for 30 days after clinic ends. Not valid on travel fees. If issues arise that seem to be a non training issue my first recommendations will be vet, farrier, dentist and/or massage/chiropractor. No refunds. If horse or human is injured before clinic starts and unable to participate, amount paid will be put towards a future clinic or in person lesson. If horse/human is injured after clinic starts no refunds or moving to a different clinic/in person lesson) RM Horsemanship is not liable for any injuries to horses, humans, equipment, structures, and others around you. By participating you freely accept and fully assume all responsibility for all risks and possibilities of personal injury, death, property damage or loss resulting from my participation in equine activities.

Lydia Bradley this was Kaine with Zac

A short video we recently made looking at the complex anatomy of the internal hoof capsule and how when we as farriers drive nails into the hoof we are doing so with such small margins for error. Www.efarrieryeducation.com Alex Ridgeway Kendell Norris Laurence Ridgeway

Happy Canada Day!!! Everyone stay safe and enjoy what we have in this country.

Spring is here and the economy is down. You know what that means? Anyone who has taken a short course on how to trim horses feet is going to put up an ad on Facebook and try and get paid for it. #becarefulwhoyouhire #ittakesmorethanafewweekstolearnhowtotrimfeet #experiencematters

The important (read critical....) back of the equine foot. Here is a slice through the back of the foot, taken at the seat of corn area. The seat of corn area ...is just where the hoof wall comes round the back of the foot, to create the heels, and then it changes direction to form the bars. The area is specifically that piece of sole that sits in between the hoof wall and bar at that point. It’s a good reference point to learn as many texts mention seat of corn so it’s good to get your understanding of these areas in the equine foot. Ever wonder what that part looks like as you pick out your horses feet?. Next time you are picking them out, take a squeeze of the tissue at the back of the foot, behind the frog, between the bulbs. That part is the digital cushion and it should be strong and plump, not squishy like jelly or flattened or shrunk. Feel your mates horses digital cushions, when we are out of lockdown . Get to feel the different types, the size, the squishyness, and you will soon hone your eye. That yellow pad, flecked with white strands is one of the most important parts of the foot, and is often overlooked. This part is the one we need to get strong and functional. Now I’m not looking at it in isolation, as all the parts work together to be a healthy foot, and yes, if one part fails, then there is a knock on effect to the rest of the foot. But let’s look at it in isolation for a moment and study the photo and enjoy the perfect arrangement of the structures, and that ‘oh so important’ digital cushion that cushions the foot and rest of the leg, from the massive ground forces as the foot hits the ground, and spreads and absorbs the energy. If the cushion is not doing it’s job properly, then those destructive forces, at each foot fall smashes into the more sensitive structures such as the navicular bone. Many feel that ‘navicular syndrome’ (read back of the foot pain) starts when the digital cushion is not functioning properly. Prof Bowker has found a good digital cushion to have lots of those white strands in it, that’s the fibrocartilage, and that strengthens the cushion. They run across the foot, right to left and act like a trampoline. Many old vintage text books mention these strands and call them ligaments. Studies have shown the digital cushion to contain collagen bundles and elastic fibres, adipose tissue, blood vessels and nerves, however the different studies seem to find different amounts of these tissues, and tend to argue what exactly is a normal cushion! Bottom line is that the digital cushion needs to do its job, and to be healthy it needs to be stimulated, by the ground, pressure and release. Shod feet get stimulation when there is a dirt plug, and when the foot is on soft ground. Unshod feet, should get better ground contact, if the trims allow that. Caveat- I’m not a farrier, vet or trimmer, I just look at anatomy and always have my head in a textbook! Tell me what you know about the digital cushion and what do you think about your own horses digital cushion health? I would be interested to hear your views. More info http://www.patreon.com/hoofstudies YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtZyYceJ1CXR7LVpJm4Y3tA My sponsor for April who is helping me to finance my studies- Doc Foals who invented and manufacture the black Pad to protect the foot: https://docfoals.com Use the keyword Hoof to get a discount if you purchase from my sponsors.

Hope everyone is having a happy healthy Easter. From McLaren Farrier Services Stay safe everyone and take care of our Equine friends

New up and comer taking on clients for 20years from now. Book now as he’s filling up on horses fast!!

McLaren Farrier Services is looking to take on a few more horses this year. Call text 3063145700 or PM

No matter what you charge as a farrier you pay a dear price. With every hoof you hold, each trim you do, nail after horseshoe nail driven you pay the price. It ...may be just a speck of cost, or it may be the death of you. Little by little we are being worn down by the constant waves of work washing over us, diminishing imperceptibly our bodies, the risk of serious harm hanging over us like an anvil on a thread. A strain, a cut, a broken bone, or the silent disappearance of cartilage from our joints. We are all paying that price. My advice is that you keep a little for yourself for walking on the beach when you get older because wheelchairs don’t roll in the sand. See more

Merry Christmas to friends family and them very important horses out there!! Please don’t forget them in your busy holidays

McLaren Farrier Services is taking on new clients within the Bonneyville/Cold Lake area. I will be in Bonneyville January 10th and I have room for more horses! Message me or text 3063145700