Mustad Clinic with Grant Moon in Wales

By kind permission of Mr & Mrs T Rooney and Mr S Rooney

A group of two dozen farriers met on the afternoon of 8^thFebruary at Post Gwyn Farm for a ‘Mustad’ Clinic with 6 times World Champion farrier Grant Moon AWCF. Just one of a number of clinics held across the UK year round, Mustad invite local farriers to attend to get to know their clients, deliver informative, educational and practical demonstrations in addition to introducing their ever increasing and developing product range. 

Following a welcome and company introduction by Mustad’s UK representative Louise Pehrsson, Grant Moon began by introducing himself and his thoughts on current modern shoeing practises.

Fortunate to have shod horses in 36 different countries, Grant has seen many different styles and witnessed many different theories put into action! Describing information like “dung in the field – it is nutritious but is no good until it is spread around” he remarked on the evolution of shoeing, advising that you “should always strive to be better than your boss or better than the last apprentice”. Clients need to have a reason to use you; customer service is becoming increasingly important in addition to farriery skills.

Working as a team with the rider and vet has become more important. Horses have got more expensive and preventing injury whilst maximising their potential is paramount.

Grant shoes all of his horses with some sort of ‘break over device’ believing that the majority of horses benefit from it (upright feet would be one of the exceptions). Farriers “manipulate feet” - this can be with positive or negative results. Hoof distortion is a sign of stress, to de-stress the foot is to help the foot, and leg, perform better.

Putting theory into practise Grant went on to carry out two shoeing demonstrations – the forging and application of a pair of aluminium heart bars and a pair of ‘assisted break over’ fully fullered concaves. Questions were taken from all directions and a concise afternoon concluded giving plenty of food for thought in addition to earning some valuable CPD points!

Keep an eye on the Forge & Farrier calendar for future Mustad clinics! If you are interested in hosting or attending a clinic further information can be obtained by contacting Louise on 07792 929877 or email louise@mustad.se.

To view the full photo gallery from the day, please click here.