What Is a Farrier?

Horseshoeing

Horseshoeing is one of the oldest trades in the world, and one of the ancient blacksmith's primary jobs. The blacksmith used his anvil and forge to create many items made of steel. He heated the steel in the forge, primarily coal or organic fueled, then forged and shaped it on the anvil to create the sword, wagon wheel, or horseshoe. Today, the modern blacksmith performs primarily artistic pieces like gates, chandeliers, statues and the like. The Farrier now performs the trade of horseshoeing.

What is a farrier?

The farrier is a professional who makes a living putting horseshoes on horses. Today he is educated in a school that teaches him all of the anatomy surrounding the hoof, from horse conformation to subtle diseases affecting the hoof. In school and apprenticeship, he learns how to put horse shoes on, and how to treat most ailments of the horses hoof. Just a few decades ago, there were no horse shoeing schools, and the horse-shoer (farrier) came from a farm, or was an apprentice for a journeyman farrier so he could learn the trade. Many equine veterinarian firms have a practicing farrier on staff or referral because many farriers have a detailed knowledge of the horses hoof since that is their focus.

What are Farrier Supplies or Farrier Tools?

The tools of his trade: called farrier supplies, includes the following: an anvil, hammer, forge, tongs, hoof knife, rasp, hoof nippers and hoof stand, a nail clincher and clinch block, and a variety of other related farrier tools. The farrier uses his hoof stand to hold the horses leg and hoof upright, then he removes the old horseshoes, and using his hoof nipper and hoof knife he trims the hoof, then makes it smooth with his rasp. He then attaches the horse shoes to the hoof with special horseshoe nails. He must be careful when trimming the hoof, because it is similar to trimming your fingernails-there is a comfortable level of trimming, and then you can trim too deep and cause injury.

Professional farriers know how to correct the horses balance in walking with just the trimming of the hoof. Many times hoof coatings and hoof hardeners or other hoof care products are used to treat ailments of the frog, white line disease, quarter crack, or laminitis...all horse hoof ailments. To find out more visit the link in our resource area below.

Finches Are Social Birds

Finches, like most animals, are very social. Finch birds need the companionship of not only their owner, but even more importantly, other birds; preferably another bird of the same species. Keep in mind that in the wild, finches travel in flocks. Finches aren't like parrots, you may become very close to your bird, and while he/she will enjoy your company, they probably will not bond with you.

Finches prefer the company and will bond with other birds. So it is imperative that you do not purchase a single bird. Purchase your birds in pairs, a male and a female would be ideal. If you don't plan to breed your birds, you can buy two birds of the same sex if you prefer.

If you can, buy a healthy male and female finch so you can breed them if you want to later on. Your finches will readily breed if their living area is comfortable, clean, stress free, has good lighting, adequate heat and good solid nutritious seeds and live food items.

A single finch is a lonely finch. If you buy a single finch the animal will become lonely, stressed and ill. Your bird will not display the beauty, activity and vibrancy that is so unique to finches. You will not be able to fully enjoy the company of this exotic bird because it is longing for the companionship of its own species.

Most finches will thrive with other species of birds just to have someone to interact with. Try to house them with birds of similar size. Finches do wonderfully with other finches and soft-billed birds. Hook-billed birds tend to be a bit aggressive and can bully and possibly injure your finches so any hook-billed birds and finches should be housed separately.

Providing your finches with companionship will enhance your bird's living environment keeping them healthy, active and happy. Not to mention how much more joy you and your family will get from watching your birds socialize and interact with each other.

So when considering purchasing finches for pets, keep in mind that you will need at least two birds to keep them happy and give them the social interaction they crave. This also means you must provide a living area large enough for two birds. Remember your birds need enough living space to be able to reach full flight so that they can get plenty of activity and burn up all that energy that they would naturally expend in the wild during hours long flights.

Finches are wonderful, quirky little birds with pleasant personalities that make wonderful pets. If you have ever considered purchasing finches for pets, I would suggest that you pay a visit to a local breeder and find out about the wonders of owning natures little beauties.