Brian Buckner, Farrier

Brian Buckner is a Certified Journeyman Farrier with the American Farrier's Association. He has been a practicing farrier for over 15 years, and has been a serious competitor on a national level for the last four years. Brian has a deep love for his trade, always striving to understand the anatomy of a horse's limb, and master the art of forging and fitting horses hooves.

His involvement with horses began at age eight with a special pony named Suzy. Three years later, his family moved to western Oregon, where they lived on a ranch, which had almost as many horses as it had cattle. Horsemanship learned throughout those years on the ranch helped Brian successfully complete the Farrier Program at Oregon State University in 1986. In 1995, Brian became a certified farrier, and in 2000, he had the highest score on his tests for that year in the nation, completing his Journeyman certification.

In addition to owning a thriving business in Fort Collins, Colorado, the last few years Brian has competed all over the country and takes time to teach at various horse events. He is currently secretary of the Rocky Mountain Farriers Association, and in the process of becoming a tester for the American Farrier's Association.

Brian also takes an active interest in his children and volunteers as a leader in 4H. Sharing the knowledge that Brian has accumulated over the years is a passion of his. He enjoys teaching and is always willing to explain what he is doing. He has spent endless hours studying the art and science of farriery. Understanding that a horse is only as good as the feet that are underneath him is essential to supporting the overall health of these magnificent animals.