Jerry with mare Lena.
Jerry Huntsinger, owner of JC Farrier Service, has been selected as our December Dealer of the Month. Located in Battle Ground Washington, Jerry has been trimming for nearly 14 years. “My grandfather got me started. He did his own farrier work and I was always in the way, so he put me to work!”
Huntsinger initially started out as a traditional farrier. It was only a matter of time before he began researching better methods. “I knew there was something better; I just wasn’t sure how to get there,” says Jerry. He was already familiar with EasyCare and the product line. He began to read about Pete Ramey’s success, and the rest, Jerry says, is history.
JC Farrier Service carries the full EasyCare hoof boot line as well as the comfort pad line. The Easyboot Glove now replaces the Easyboot Epic as his top selling hoof boot.
He personally owns 9 barefoot horses that are frequently booted up in the Easyboot Glove- his boot of choice. “The Glove has shown that it can be used in many different areas. We spend most of our time working horses in different arenas. We also compete with our horses in Cowboy Mounted Shooting, using boots. This is a high-speed sport with a lot of fast turns; traction is everything. The Gloves have no issues!”
It’s nice to be able to have discussions with people that can point out a whole new realm of ideas. Jerry credits his success to a variety of people. Pete Ramey, Dr. Bowker, the folks at the School of Natural Hoof Care in Jacksonville, Oregon and Dr. Mackie Hartwig have all contributed in one aspect or another. “Dr. Hartwig changed everything in my mind about horses on the inside. He helped me see that horses need more than just a great trim. Diet is a huge factor,” he says. He also thinks that keeping an open mind, as well as the people around him, both help make him a successful trimmer. “We are all learning and have a long way to go. Not one person has all the answers. I love the fact that I can go out each day and make a difference in horses’ lives. Watching them get better every day is a huge reward.”
Jerry and Padre with rescuers and care takers Butch & Sheila Reynolds and Lori Harris.
Jerry’s job is full of many rewarding experiences. It’s hard to pick out just one. But he has had his fair share of feel good experiences in the field. He provides the farrier care for the Clark County Executive Horse Council and was recently called onto help a horse in desperate need of some TLC. Padre was found standing in a pasture with little food and absolutely no hoof care. Once the horse was rescued, Jerry received a desperate call from Clark County. Sensing the urgency, Huntsinger juggled his schedule so he could get to Padre right away. Upon arrival he saw shoes overgrown by the hoof, abscesses, and separation. That makes for one ouchy horse! Jerry pushed up his sleeves and got to work trimming Padre’s hooves. “He showed great appreciation to have the pressure taken away. Padre almost fell asleep standing there he was so comfortable!” Once trimmed and treated, Padre was outfitted in a pair of Easyboot Edges. Padre still has a long way to go down recovery road but he is improving every day. Click here to read more about Padre and see his progress.
With an average of 500 horses to work on each month, Jerry has a full plate. He consistently strives to further educate himself so that he can provide the best care possible to his clients and their horses.
If you’re in the Pacific North West, allow JC Farrier Service to help you with your hoof care needs. Visit their website at www.jchoofrehabnw.com, drop Jerry an email at jcfarrier@hotmail.com or give him a call at 360-687-4698. Jerry would be glad to help you with your equine needs!
