OklahomaHorses Magazine July 2022

July / August 2022 • OklahomaHorses 21 Luff was in and out of college. “I was undecided on what I wanted to be,” she says. “A friend from FFA went to a horse- shoeing school shortly after high school and stayed on as an instructor. When I saw what she was learning and teaching, I knew what I wanted. I saved up for over a year to quit my job and have never looked back. I graduated from the school’s 12-week program in August 2021. And I have been building my clientele and learning from other farriers as an apprentice.” After graduating from the horseshoeing school, Luff attended John Muldoon’s clin- ic at Oakridge Equine Hospital in Edmond to learn and watch what he does in medical shoeing. Mapping the Foot “I have also been apprenticing and learning more about the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization (ELPO) protocol, which is a way to read and map the foot,” Luff says. ELPO, in Penrose, Colorado, teaches a four-step hoof-mapping protocol. The ELPO website states that the organization is “dedicated to questioning, monitoring, and improving upon practices regarding hoof care.” The nonprofit group acts as an advocate for the professional and ethical treatment of horses. ELPO encourages members to take into consideration the health and well-being of each horse, includ- ing how the horse is treated. Designed as a place where horse owners, enthusiasts, and professionals can find help, ELPO encourages the exchange of ideas, assistance, and discussions about equine health and soundness. ELPO offers three- day, five-day, and eight-week courses on various farrier and hoof-care subjects. The organization also offers conferences and scholarship opportunities. The Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program, a division of ELPO, addresses hoof care in zoological facilities, offering courses on maintenance and preventive hoof care so zoo staff members can keep their hooved residents healthy. Setting Up the Farrier Business Besides her ongoing training, Luff spends a lot of time creating and maintaining her farrier business. “Setting up for a business like this takes so much more than the ini- tial list of tools and supplies we were told to buy for school,” Luff explains. “I learned so much from on-the-job ex- periences that school just can’t cover. There is so much to keep track of, from scheduling a fuel-efficient route to resupplying shoes and rasps. A good farrier takes in so much information from the minute we see the horses to better help them. The way a horse walks, what legs the horse favors, the horse’s conformation, age, weight, and health can all be indicators of what to keep in mind while trimming and shoeing. Keeping our four-legged clients sound and comfortable is just as important as keeping our two-legged clients on an organized schedule.” Luff is innovative in her approach. She recently began to offer a hoof nail-polish service. “As a kid, I loved seeing the draft horses pull carts in Oklahoma City,” Luff says. “Many of them had painted nails, and I always wanted to try it. At school, we learned how to use hoof conditioner to give the hoof a great moisture barrier, and I thought that was the perfect application to use a little color. My two girls at home always ask about having a ‘glitter rainbow unicorn,’ and I started introducing the idea to a few of my regular clients. After I found a solid recipe, I added a few new colors and introduced ‘Glitter Feet’ as an added option to my services. The best part is giving that extra special touch to a girl’s first barrel horse!” As a farrier, Luff explains, “Honestly, a lot of what we do involves very simple solutions to different problems. I have learned to use iodine and sugar as a mixture that can help draw out infection and a diaper to wrap around the hoof to drain abscesses or stop bleeding. I use a butane torch to char and soften the foot in the dry season. Some farriers use furniture polish as hoof conditioner. None of these practices is self-taught. These ideas come from other creative individuals who develop these and other solutions from years of experience. As farriers, we share ideas with each other in clinics, online, or on ride-alongs.” Suggestions for Potential Farriers Luff has suggestions for anyone who is considering a career as a farrier. “Ride along with at least one farrier to get a feel for what you are really getting into. Once you start, keep riding along with other farriers because you never stop learning. Never stop refining your skill. Pull answers to questions from many sources. The only way to achieve and maintain this career is to always be learning. One of my mentors, who has been at this for more than 40 years, says, ‘Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.’ ” Luff says, “This is a trade and a skill. We study anatomy, smithing, equine disciplines, and lameness. The community we create is so special, and our clients are truly the best. The fellowship among farriers is special as well. We help each other learn, we discuss cases, and when someone needs help, we cover their books so they don’t lose clients. “One of my favorite things is telling clients’ kids they can be farriers when they grow up and answering their questions while I work.” Those who have questions about farrier work can connect with Luff by texting or calling (405) 915-2970. Farrier Kaitlin Luff is ready to trim the hooves of a miniature horse.