About Shannon
My name is Shannon Cole Veloz APF I, ESMT. I am a female farrier, Equine Sports Massage Therapist and PEMF technician. I am a lifelong horsewoman, and I became a farrier in the summer of 2009. I ran into problems time and again with other farriers I had hired for my own personal horses which I used to make my living running Happy Trails Carriage Service. The farriers were late, did not even show up, were unavailable in emergency situations, did not return calls or did sloppy and careless work. They also did not attend clinics or do continuing education. This caused immense headache, stress and many problems, including soreness, lameness and behavioral problems to my horses. This was not only a problem for my horses, but my business. I took my horses to the Oklahoma State Shoeing School in Ardmore for several years, at least once a month, where I stayed all day learning exactly what was done to each one of my horses. I got to see and learn about other horses that were in that day.
Then for another year and a half, I took my horses to the Texas Horse Shoeing School where I learned even more and began doing some shoeing myself on my own horses under the guidance of John Burgen. He is a wonderful instructor. It was in the fall of 2008 that I met my friend, fellow farrier and mentor, Joan Green who I cannot thank enough! She kindly took me under her wing in early 2009 as her apprentice and I still call her with questions. I think we can never stop learning. I have read textbook after textbook and watched countless hours of video, listened to podcasts on correct shoeing, therapeutic shoeing, balance and hoof care. I ride along with fellow farriers to expand my knowledge as much as I can. I attend numerous clinics by the top farriers in the world and was at the International Hoof Care Summit every year from 2016-2023. I have become a member of the International Association of Professional Farriers which requires continuing education credits.
I am certified through the IAPF as level APF-I (Accredited Professional Farrier- International) and must have 24 continuing education hours per year to stay in good standing with the association which I believe is very important for growth. You can look up my credentials and how many current hours I have at https://professionalfarriers.com/ The situations and experiences I have had on this journey are eye opening to say the least. I am all ears when it comes to instruction from a veterinarian, chiropractor or equine medical professional. My goal is to help horses move and feel better and to have beautiful feet. I use 2 different hoof stands to make your horse be in the most comfortable position for trimming and shoeing. I always handle your horse as quietly and as kind as I can. I have worked with many abused and rescue horses, who need an extra gentle approach. My goal is to heal horses from the ground up.
