A Different Perspective on Hoof Care — And Why I'm Sharing It
This has been on my mind for a long time, but it’s taken a while to figure out how to actually do it.
The farrier industry is in a fragile spot and I’ve been in it long enough to see the same patterns repeat. Horse owners are often left confused or frustrated. Farriers are overworked or expected to operate in unsustainable ways. New farriers are burning out, and barely anyone is stepping up to replace them. There are gaps everywhere: in communication, in knowledge, in standards, in support.
And no one seems to be talking about it properly. People aren’t on the same page — and it’s causing issues across the board. Honestly, I’m tired of watching good people on all sides struggle.
So I created this blog — It brings together what I’ve learned, what I’m still learning, and what I believe might help others. It’s something I wish existed when I first started navigating the world of hoof care — as both a professional and a horse owner.
This space is for conversations that often go unsaid, or that need to be said more often. A place to bring more understanding, clarity, and connection to hoof care. Somewhere to share ideas, perspectives, tools, and support in one place. To challenge the way we think — and hopefully, make things just a little better.
A little about me,
I’m Katelin — a qualified farrier based in Victoria, Australia with over a decade of experience in the industry and more than 25 years with horses in general. My husband, Richard, and I run a busy farrier business, Allied Farriers. We offer a full range of farriery services and work with horses from many walks of life.
Farriery is more than just a job for me — it’s a passion, a craft, and a lifestyle. I’ve fought hard to become a female farrier in this trade (which is not an easy feat in Australia), and I’ve worked even harder to build the business that we have today.
I’m also a mum, which has added a whole new layer of chaos and perspective to both life and work. This blog came from a growing need to share what I’ve learned — not just as a farrier, or a horse owner — but as a person, about running a business, navigating challenges, surviving burnout, pushing boundaries, questioning traditions, and keeping up with an industry that never stops changing.
Whether you’re a horse owner, a farrier, or equine professional, I hope you find something here that helps or inspires you.
What you’ll find here:
Support for both horse owners and farriers — because it’s not about taking sides.
A simple and practical view of hoof care, drawn from first-hand experience.
The “why” behind the work farriers do and don’t do.
Clear info to help horse owners raise their standards with confidence.
The real-life reality of being a modern farrier.
Conversations that build better working relationships between owners, farriers, and other equine professionals.
Ideas for supporting farriers to stay in the industry long-term.
Tools, tips, templates, and systems that have made a difference for me — and might for you too.
All of this, I hope, can help us build a more sustainable, more connected, and more respected hoof care industry.
There’ll be plenty of free content here — but for those who want to go deeper, I’m also working on a range of paid resources. Things like practical guides, templates, printable posters, and tools — all designed to be useful, simple, and genuinely helpful. These products will be inexpensive too, so they’re accessible to anyone who wants to learn more.
Want to help me shape what comes next?
I’ve created three short surveys — one for horse owners, one for farriers, and one for equine professionals. Your input will help guide the content and resources I create going forward. The more voices, the better.
Thanks so much for being here. Here’s to raising the standard.
— Katelin
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