The Presenters Doug Butler Doug is the only person who has earned both a PhD and an FWCF, the highest farrier qualification in the world. For nearly 50 years he has been (and continues to be) a practicing farrier who has shod world champions of nearly every horse breed. A winner of the North American Horseshoeing Contest, he was a three-time member of the North American Horseshoeing Team, co-winner of the National Farrier Championship of England, and recipient of numerous farrier competition, educator, and journalism awards. Additionally, Doug was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame, designated a Farrier Industry Legend, and served for seven years as a governor-appointed director of the Colorado Horse Development Authority. He also participated in developing the National Welfare Guidelines for Horses. Nine years ago he designed the Farrier Focus® Conference, an innovative approach to continuing business education for equine professionals. Doug has taught farrier science in a half dozen universities in the United States and has given presentations to thousands of equine professionals in 48 states, four Canadian provinces and eight foreign countries. An author of dozens of books, tapes and magazine articles on horseshoeing, he continually works at raising the standard of professional farriers. No one is better qualified than Doug to teach farriers business and practical skills. In January 2007, Doug, Jake, and Pete started Butler Professional Farrier School, LLC, located near Crawford, Nebraska. The school is world-class with an exceptional facility, sequential curriculum, and experienced instructors. The mission of the school is to teach motivated students how to shoe for soundness and forge firm foundations for horses, business and life. Jacob Butler After his college training, he taught farrier training for four years at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, New Mexico. He is a specialist in the anatomy of the horse’s limb. For five years he has participated in the Anatomy Lab at the American Farrier’s Association Convention. Jake is director of the state-licensed Butler Professional Farrier School near Crawford, Nebraska. Peter Butler He is a specialist in stock horse training and has trained horses for the public from an early age. Pete is manager of the ranch and horse herd at Butler Professional Farrier School near Crawford, Nebraska. |
Jake grew up in the farrier business apprenticing with his dad. He attended a farrier school when he was 15. In addition, he took every opportunity to work with other masters of the trade. Jake has been shoeing professionally for thirteen years.
Pete grew up in the farrier business apprenticing with his dad. He attended a farrier school and shod horses while working toward his college degree. He has been shoeing professionally for five years.