Phoenix Farrier Services

12/05/2025

Proud to be representing central Alberta farriers, through the WCFA for another term.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with anything I can help with whether you’re a farrier, client, owner etc!

Let’s make it a great year!

11/20/2025

If you have travelled outside of your own facility, or have noticed ANY of these symptoms, please, PLEASE notify us before we get to your appointment.

We travel to so many facilities, and yards that we absolutely cannot risk the chance of spreading a potentially deadly disease.

Thank you for your understanding, and be so safe out there.

There have been a number of confirmed cases of EHV/EHM lately, both in Canada and the USA. So here’s what you need to know about the disease 🚨

Equine Herpesvirus is a common virus in horse populations worldwide. The most common species are EHV-1, which causes respiratory infections, abortion and can cause neurological disease (EHM), and EHV-4, which most commonly causes respiratory disease.
The disease is highly contagious and gets spread through nasal secretions, both through direct (nose to nose contact) and indirect (through equipment, people,…) contact.

When infected, most horses will develop a fever, become lethargic, go off feed and water. If the disease progresses, respiratory signs (like coughing and nasal discharge) and neurological signs (ataxia, trouble swallowing, loss of tail tone, weakness in the hind end,…) can become apparent.

As this is a viral infection, no specific treatment is available. Treatment of the disease is therefore largely focused on supportive care (IV fluids, anti-inflammatories,…).

This is why prevention is so important!!!
There are things you can do to help control the spread and help protect your horse.
We recommend vaccinating against EHV, especially if your horse is frequently in contact with other horses.
Practice strict biosecurity when visiting with your horse at the barn and when travelling. Avoid contact with other horses, use your own food and water bucket, don’t share grooming supplies, etc.

Herpes vaccines cover for type 1 and type 4, but the vaccine is made for respiratory and abortion form of the disease. There is not a vaccine made for the neurological/meningitis form, which is what our biggest concern is today.

If you have questions regarding the disease, or you suspect your horse may be affected, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via phone (780-922-3647) or email ([email protected])
The AAEP also has some great resources for owners at aaep.org/resource/ehv-faq-for-owners/

09/02/2025

Fly spray and shade pleaseeeee

Client tip of the month- August 2.0

In case you’ve been hiding in the air cond. and haven’t dared to venture outside for the last while, the flies are bothersome.
Please remember to:
-keep your horses sprayed down prior to your farriers arrival
-keep your farriers working area swept up as flies love to congregate in p**p piles and hoof trimming piles

Keeping your horses sprayed down and paddocks tidy will also help the stomping, which creates bruising and sometimes even lameness.

It’s hot, and it’s been a big summer for all, the last thing any farrier needs is a sharp tail across the face, or a shot of fly spray in the face.

Don’t forget shade, and the offer of cold water.

Thank you for keeping us safe and hydrated in these last days of summer.

04/15/2025

🤘🤘🤘

🍾🍾 Massive Congratulations to BFBA President Abby Bunyard who has achieved her Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (FWCF).

As well as being the first female President of the BFBA, Abby is the third female farrier to attain this top WCF qualification. A huge well done Abby! 🍾🍾

04/10/2025

Please read!

As a reminder, if you have an appointment booked with us and your horses are showing any symptoms we must be made aware before we arrive so we can reschedule.

Our days are full and the likelihood of us seeing horses after you at another barn is very high.

Due to the time of year we are seeing many mares in heavy foal, performance horses with big jobs and we absolutely take the health and safety of our client horses very seriously.

Thanks!

03/20/2025

We are heading off to visit our good friends down at 5 Star in Oklahoma on Saturday to complete some American Farriers Association exams.

Kane will be taking his “Certified Farrier” and Riley is taking the “Journeyman” exam.

Prepping for both of these is a huge time commitment; in the shop, studying before and after work, and more phone calls than you could count to our farrier friends.

This is what our shop looks like almost everyday after work! 🤘🤘🤘

03/12/2025

Had a great time teaching the weekend trimming course at Olds College this past weekend with a great pal, Kailey!

This course is designed to support horse owners who live in very remote areas, and to help them understand their own horses on a more educated level.

The class was easy to teach and eager to learn, and worked their tails off, thanks for travelling as far and wide as you all did to come learn with us!

03/02/2025

Amazing!
Team work makes the dream work, some vets just get it👌

No foot no horse!!!

Westwinds is excited to offer our new “Friends of the Farrier” promotion!

We are having a promotion for the whole month of March where we x-ray your horses feet “solely” for you to share with your farrier! 🐴

Package Cost $250 and this includes:
〰️Exam Fee
〰️Sedation
〰️2 views of radiographs on all four feet

We will give you the data on what your horse’s plantar/palmar angles are, sole depth and advise on anything that may pop up and you can take the images back to your farrier to make their job a little easier!

This will help you to “forge” a path to equine soundness with your farrier and give them more insight into your individual horse!

Bundles for additional views will be available, please reach out to the clinic for more information and to get on the list! ⬇️

🖥️ https://westwindsmvs.usw2.ezyvet.com/external/portal/main
📞 250-617-3210
📧 [email protected]