
Hosted by Brian Mullins CJF ASF · EN

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 the importance of giving back through teaching and mentorship within the farrier community. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For access to the full length episode, subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

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 farrier work with a growing digital presence—and the challenges and surprises that come with it. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For access to full length episodes, subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

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 to support the podcast, subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com To see more of what Lee has been up to: olsenequine.com

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 profession. We also touch on his goal of keeping his business small to preserve the freedom to keep traveling and learning. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

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-setting, and the mindset that helped him move forward when the odds weren't in his favour. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For full length episodes please subscribe here: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

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 realities of publishing, tight timelines, and the unique features of this farrier textbook. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Get your own copy of the book here: www.farrierybooks.com Subscribe for full length episodes here: www.mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

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 look into the craftsmanship and care behind the trade. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

Hello everyone, as the year and this decade come to an end, I wanted to thank all of you for joining me on this little project of mine and listening in. I also wanted to thank everyone who spoke to me in person or reached out online to give their feedback on the podcast. It started out as just one of my many ideas, but because of you, it has grown into such an incredibly fulfilling thing. I have learned so many great applicable lessons from my guests, and their many achievements have really inspired me and many others to pursue our goals. Last year, as everyone asked me what my new year's resolution would be, I said one word, Kaizen. Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning change for better or continuous improvement. There's a lot of literature on this concept, and how it made the Japanese automakers and tech companies a driving force in their industries. It speaks of always looking for ways to improve even if they are small and incremental. It's a never-ending process or striving towards quality. When I first learned of it, I felt an immediate affinity to the word. I've always found that the times I've been the happiest in my life have been when I was working towards a goal. Things like learning a new skill set for a job, or writing and performing a new song. They required me to be consistently pushing myself to be better times when I would plateau, like say at a job that didn't require much mental bandwidth or room to grow, I will become bored and unhappy. That's what makes this career so fulfilling. If you plateau, you only have to look to someone with more knowledge in a certain aspect of the job like forging, toolmaking, lameness, evaluation, etc. and ask them to teach you more. For me, Kaizen actually meant going through all of the steps to start and maintain the podcast, and then starting the process of attempting my fits ASF and it meant attending more clinics and having more forge nights to improve my skill set. My challenge to you is to embrace the concept for your year 2020. Sign up for a pre-certification course. Heck, sign up for a certification! On a smaller scale instead of merely benefiting from their time savings, use resets as a chance to improve the shape of the feet you work on. Take the time to adjust the shoe, not the foot to the ideal you're aiming for. I know there are a lot of non-farriers tuning into some of these episodes as well. Why don't you sign up for a clinic or an online course you're interested in? I realized the time is always a precious commodity for any of us who work with horses. But I have experienced the energy creating power of doing these things myself. It's counterintuitive, but it works. That concludes my pushy speech... Well, almost… Did I mention you should aim to attend a certification this year? All right, maybe I did. But you should really just do it. You won't regret it. Before I sign off, I want to say a few words of thanks to the folks at Twisted Spur Media, especially Heather. It is safe to say that the podcast wouldn't be half of what it is without Heather's hard work and dedication. She tirelessly edits all of my scripts out of the episodes and ensures that the final product is always top-notch before it gets pushed out of the nest and flies on its own. I've been told she has a wicked blooper reel and I'm hoping she never pushes that one out to you. She is the wizard behind the curtain and I wouldn't be able to do this without her. Until next time, have a safe and Happy New Year. I can't wait to see what all of you are going to accomplish this year. Take care of yourselves and each other out there!