{"id":7114,"date":"2013-04-30T23:07:26","date_gmt":"2013-04-30T23:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gs90.inmotionhosting.com\/~ntalkh5\/?p=7114"},"modified":"2025-08-08T22:29:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T22:29:53","slug":"dean-krissler-farrier-at-ballentines-horse-heaven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?p=7114","title":{"rendered":"Dean Krissler &#8211; Farrier at Ballentine&#8217;s Horse Heaven"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-7114 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?attachment_id=7128'><img width=\"102\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Dean-Krissler2-e1366817300501-102x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?attachment_id=7116'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Jupiter-gets-a-trim-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?attachment_id=7132'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/CJ-gets-his-hoof-trimmed-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?attachment_id=7117'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Trimmed-frog-and-hoof-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?attachment_id=7137'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Dean-lifts-Sams-leg-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?attachment_id=7121'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Dean-Kessler-052-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n <iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1fV5jhzL8rw?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe> There are several farriers who come to Ballentine\u2019s Horse Heaven. <a href=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?p=909\"\/\"title=\"Gene Fletcher\">Gene Fletcher<\/a> for several years was a regular. He trimmed <a href=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?p=648\"\/\"title=\"Pepper\">Pepper<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?p=1814\"\/\"title=\"CJ\">CJ<\/a>, Jupiter, <a href=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?p=2313\"\/\"title=\"Sam\">Sam<\/a> and Myrtle. Unfortunately, Gene retired due to health reasons. A career as a farrier can be short or long but it is always dangerous. A farrier works on many different types of horses, some better trained than others to pick up their feet. Danger is always close at hand from a horse that easily spooks to one that kicks or bites. The farrier can be knocked over, stepped on, struck by the horse&#8217;s hoof, bite on back, neck or head; all resulting in serious injury. Besides the risk of being physically knocked over and walked on, the farrier spends long hours bent over which puts a strain on his spinal cord and joints. Truly being a farrier is not a career for the faint of heart.<\/p>\n<p>Gene recommended Dean Krissler as a replacement, so Connie called him up and scheduled an appointment. Before long Dean was a regular at the stables.<\/p>\n<p>Dean studied to be a farrier with John Jaros at the New England School of Horseshoeing at Tufts University, and completed the program in 1996. Then, he apprenticed to another farrier; shoeing hunt, dressage and show horses for ten years where he lived near Hyde Park and Millbrook, NY. About four years ago, he moved to a ranch a few miles from the Ballentine\u2019s, and for the last two years has been building his farrier business.  <\/p>\n<p>In the early morning a couple of weeks ago, Dean turned his truck into the driveway in front of the barn. He took out his tools and Johnn brought out the horses for their trim, one at a time as I watched from the sidelines. Last time Dean came, he told Johnn that CJ had some hoof cracks which needed attention. For the past few weeks, I put a sealer on the outside of the hoof to lessen the cracking and wanted to know if it had helped.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat causes the cracks?\u201d I asked Dean.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe cracks can be caused by a number of things. These are mostly due to the winter weather we\u2019ve been having. The constant thawing and then refreezing sucks moisture out of the hoof and causes cracking, mud also dries out the hoof and causes them to crack,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n<p>Dean trimmed Pepper\u2019s front hoof and continued, \u201cWhen the horse steps on uneven frozen ground or a rock, the hoof can crack. Pepper has a quarter crack which I\u2019ll trim and bevel to take the pressure off the crack. That will allow the hoof to grow out without further cracking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo is that the only way to get rid of the crack?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrimming won&#8217;t get rid of the crack, it will reduce pressure. Basically, the hoof has to grow out. The main problem with cracks is that they can lengthen. If the crack reaches the coronary band at the top of the hoof, then you have a real problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;ve been putting on a hoof sealant for a few weeks now. Do you think that helps?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe sealant helps, in between applications put on some type of hoof oil. There are a lot on the market. The products you purchase are the best oils to use since they have been tested. Although some people say they have gotten great results with used motor oil, even just baby oil.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI heard that you shouldn&#8217;t use any petroleum based products on the hoof.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s true but once motor oil turns black by being burned in the engine there isn\u2019t any petroleum left and its okay to put it on the hoof. You can use a paint brush to apply the oil; just cut off the end and leave about an inch.  Another thing to avoid is any product which has alcohol in it. Alcohol will also dry out the hoof.\u201d he said returning Peppers foot to the ground. \u201cIf you really want the hooves to grow out fast feed them Biotin. Nutrition is also an important part of hoof care.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Johnn led one horse after another in and out of the barn for their trim. CJ came out and stood in the sun while Dean trimmed the horse\u2019s hoof.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo you think he\u2019s having a hard time with the cracks because he has white hooves?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo, white hoof, black hoof it doesn\u2019t matter. Some people say white hooves are softer, but I think its just because you can see the cracks better on a white hoof verses a black one.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat makes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After the last riding horse was trimmed, we moved out of the sun and back into the barn. The two Belgium draft horses waited in their stalls to have their feet worked on. Myrtle and Sam stood like mighty giants as we approached. As a rule, Dean doesn\u2019t work on draft horses, but he made an exception as a favor to Johnn.<\/p>\n<p>Originally bred by farmers, the Belgian horse is still used in agriculture to pull plows and wagons.  They are one of the strongest breeds among the draft horses. The Belgian horse weighs approximately 2,000 pounds, compared to a riding horse which weighs in at around 1200 pounds. The average Belgian horse can pull a load of up to 8,000 pounds and work eight to ten hours a day. Their hoof is enormous and presents a difficult job for any farrier.<\/p>\n<p>I looked at Dean\u2019s shoes and asked, \u201cDo you wear steal toed shoes when you work around horses?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Johnn and Dean almost answered simultaneously, \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They explained to me that a steel toed shoe or boot is dangerous around horses, especially really big draft horses. If the horse should step on the farrier\u2019s foot, the steel in the toe would be crushed and literally cut off the man\u2019s toes. The boot itself would probably be cut off in the hospital and the toes, no longer attached to their owner, would simply be poured out of the boot.<\/p>\n<p>Rings are another safety issue for the farrier. A farrier never wears a ring because if a horse acts up, jumps or startles when shod, the nail can get caught under the ring causing a serious injury. Several months ago, <a href=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?p=2395\"\/\"title=\"Karen\">Karen<\/a> told me her jumping instructors forbid students from wearing a ring. I was beginning to understand why.<\/p>\n<p>Dean began to trim Myrtle until she decided she\u2019d had enough and reared back. Johnn and Dean calmed the horse and the farrier finished up trimming her hooves. Then it was Sam\u2019s turn. Everything went pretty well until Sam refused to pick up his back leg and powerfully stomped down his hoof.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI usually don\u2019t work on draft horses. Draft horses have their own farriers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow is it different?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA draft horse farrier puts the horse in a stock and restrains the leg so the horse can\u2019t move. These horses are so powerful, they can easily crush you. The safest way to shoe them is to put the horse in a draft horse stock.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Every time Dean tried to pick up Sam\u2019s back leg, the horse refused and stomped down his hoof hard to the ground. Dean decided to take Sam outside where he had more room to work on the horse. He took a lead rope and slipped it around the horse\u2019s pastern, then pulled the rope back lifting the horse\u2019s leg. The tricky part was grabbing the hoof which Sam did not want to have happen. It took awhile, but finally Dean was able to trim the hoof.<\/p>\n<p>Truly, a farrier\u2019s job is a difficult and dangerous one. Dean packed up his tools and headed home. <\/p>\n<p>Sources: http:\/\/www.ehow.com\/list_6540274_dangerous-horse-jobs.html; http:\/\/www.pamlico-nc.com\/horse\/articles\/holdhorse.htm; http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Belgian_horse; http:\/\/www.ehow.com\/about_6578516_belgian-horse.html<\/p>\n<p>Copyright \u00a9 2013 Patricia Miran All Rights Reserved<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are several farriers who come to Ballentine\u2019s Horse Heaven. Pepper, Sam and Myrtle. Unfortunately, Gene retired due to health reasons. A career as a farrier can be short or long but it is always dangerous. A farrier works on &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/?p=7114\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0},"categories":[1],"tags":[505,162],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7114"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7114"}],"version-history":[{"count":102,"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7217,"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7114\/revisions\/7217"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/2talkhorses.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}