Episodes

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-s...

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 ...

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 an examiner 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...

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 horse...

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 le...

Farrier Major Paul Jones, AWCF, joins the podcast to share his remarkable journey through 24 years in the British Army. Raised in a military family, Paul discusses his deployment to Afghanistan, the devastating IED attack that changed the course of his career, and how his lifelong connection to horses led him into farriery. Four weeks from retirement from the military and serving at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray, Paul gives an inside look at Army farrier training, exam ...

This week, I’m joined by Heidi Stoer, CJF, from Midland, Ontario. Known to many as “Bam Bam,” Heidi shares her journey from growing up around horses to building a successful farrier business. We talk about her experience at Heartland Horseshoeing School, the challenges of building a client base, lessons learned working with difficult horses, and the importance of horsemanship and client relationships. Heidi also dives into her AFA certification journey, the persistence it took to earn her CJF, ...

Abbie Robinson Wyss CMF shares her remarkable journey from joining the British Army in 2014 to becoming the first qualified female farrier in the Army in 2024. In this episode, Abbie talks about life in King’s Troop, the challenges of Army farrier training, balancing ceremonial duties with horsemanship, and the pressure of qualifying through a demanding apprenticeship program. She also discusses her current pursuit of the AWCF and the unforgettable experience of meeting the late Queen and handm...

In this week's episode, Mark Aikens shares a career shaped by education, travel, and resilience. From a non-horsey upbringing and early days in Irish racing yards to earning his farriery qualifications and later a BSc in Farriery Science, Mark reflects on how continued learning has influenced every stage of his work. He also discusses shoeing endurance horses, international teaching in places like India and Romania, and how a serious shoeing accident led him to develop a “plan B” through tool r...

Sarah Logie, a farrier based in Inverness, Scotland, joins the podcast to talk exams, education, and why farriery is never just black and white. From building her associate-prep course and revision book to mentoring farriers through the realities of exam pressure, time management, and horse-first thinking, this episode is packed with practical insight, blunt honesty, and years of experience from the Scottish Highlands and beyond. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For access ...

In this weeks episode of the Mullins Farrier Podcast, Andrew Casserly of East Sussex takes us through a lifetime in farriery—from first hearing Michael Soo at the forge at 15, to a four-year apprenticeship making and fitting handmade shoes, and on to a career spanning competition, education, and examination. He shares his path through the qualifications, earning his AWCF and later his Fellowship at 60, along with the research behind his thesis on frog support and palmar angle. Andrew also refle...

Ada Majocha, Polish veterinarian and equine podiatry practitioner, shares her path from starting riding at 12 to focusing on hoof care after trying to help her own horse through serious issues. She reflects on early mistakes, her shift toward more evidence-based, x-ray–guided trimming, and how her thinking has evolved through ongoing education. She also discusses her mobile practice treating complex hoof cases in Poland, her hands-on workshops, and developing hoof-care products and training. Ad...

In this episode of the Mullins Farrier Podcast, Tom Smith, a farrier from South England and former chair of the Farriers Registration Council, discusses why he created Forge Smart after seeing farriers struggle with long hours, tight margins, and pricing confidence. He shares practical insight on understanding true costs, communicating value to clients, and implementing sustainable price increases to support both business success and work–life balance. I hope you enjoy this conversation as muc...

From horse-crazy kid to Certified Journeyman Farrier, Jennifer DePollo Horn’s path into the trade wasn’t exactly traditional - but it was meant to be. In this episode, Jennifer shares how an unexpected push from a high school teacher set her on a lifelong career in farriery, the challenges she faced along the way, and the mentors who helped shape her into the professional she is today. We talk about the value of certification, the artistry behind the craft, her passion for blacksmithing, and th...

In this episode, I sit down with Sam Wolfenden, a farrier from Halifax, West Yorkshire, with 17 years in the trade. Sam shares his journey starting out under his father, working on everything from show horses to riding school horses, and how he unexpectedly found a second career on social media. From hesitant first posts to millions of views on TikTok, Sam talks about consistency, staying authentic, and why kindness toward the horse always comes first. We also dive into balancing traditional fa...

In part 2 of Ask Brian Anything hosted by Lee Olsen CJF, Lee and Brian cover more listener submitted questions. They discuss why Brian started the podcast in the first place, what future retirement looks like for him, the negative plantar angle epidemic, and many other topics. To see the many farrier resources Lee Olsen has on offer, go to www.olsenequine.com To subscribe and support the podcast go to: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

In this first of two “Ask Brian Anything” episodes, the tables have turned. With questions submitted by farriers and listeners from the community, I sit down with my good friend Lee Olsen CJF and dive into numerous topics about my career path, continuing education, the hot vs. cold shoeing debate, and the importance of mentorship and setting goals in the trade. It’s a wide-ranging conversation shaped by the farrier community and the questions you wanted answered. For access to full episodes and...

In the final episode of 2025, I talk with Jake Fivecoate CJF, from Northern Colorado, who shares his experience taking part in the Edward Martin Cultural Exchange across Scandinavia. Jake talks about the application process, earning his journeyman certification, and what it was like working in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. He reflects on adapting to different techniques and tools, winning a team shoeing contest in Denmark, and how the experience shaped both his skills and outlook on the professi...

In this episode, I sit down with Manuel (Manny) Gutierrez of Farrier MX, to talk about his path from growing up in poverty in Monterrey to running a successful farrier supply company in Mexico. Manny explains how he moved from the sugar and chocolate industries into farrier supplies after spotting a gap in the market, and what it took to build something from the ground up. We get into his efforts to support and professionalize the farrier industry in Mexico, his approach to money and goal-settin...

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Trussler FWCF, Jay Tovey FWCF, and Simon Curtis FWCF to explore the story behind their new farrier textbook, Farrier Skills and Knowledge - A comprehensive textbook on hoof care - from how the idea first came into being at a clinic to the collaboration that brought it to life. They share their backgrounds, the challenges of balancing writing with work and family, and what it took to manage all the components of the book’s creation. We also get into the reali...

In this episode, I sit down with Billy Bleach DipWCF, a Norfolk-based farrier with a deep passion for working with heavy horses. Billy shares his journey from discovering farriery at a young age to mastering the art of crafting handmade shoes tailored to each horse’s unique needs. He discusses the importance of early hoof care, his approach to training young horses, and his drive to inspire the next generation of farriers. From competition stories to shop talk, this conversation offers a genuine...

In this ‘Farrier Phone a Friend’ episode, I sit down with Mike Mehak CF, President of the Ontario Farriers Association, for a wide-ranging conversation about the craft and community of farriery. We talk about the upcoming Royal Canadian Horseshoeing Classic, the day-to-day challenges farriers face, building better client relationships, and finding balance between work and life. Mike also shares insights on tools, conventions, and the value of continuous learning within the trade. I hope you enj...

In this episode, Certified Journeyman Farrier Riley Mickelsen shares how growing up around horses in Idaho put him on a path that shifted from veterinary ambitions to farriery, thanks to his love of working with his hands. He talks about the five years he spent in Mexico, including missionary work, and how returning to the U.S. led him to train in Oklahoma, co-own a farrier school, and eventually build his own successful program in Idaho. Riley reflects on expanding into Mexico, the challenges o...

In this episode of the Mullins Farrier Podcast, I sit down with veteran farrier Mac Head of Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire. The conversation explores Mac’s journey from his father’s post-WWII blacksmith business to a long and varied career in farriery and horseshoe manufacturing. He shares insights into his time with the Worshipful Company of Farriers, his approach to designing shoes for the English market, and the evolution of horse care over the decades. Also included is a valuable busines...