TRUSTED BY
Meet Dave Kennedy
A horseman first, a craftsman by trade and a competitor by nature.
For David Kennedy, working with horses has always been about more than making a living. With a genuine passion for horses, horsemanship and the traditional craft of Farriery, Dave has built a career around an age-old trade that combines skill, knowledge and a deep understanding of the horse.
Drawn to the history, heritage and craftsmanship of the Farrier Blacksmith trade, Dave knew he wanted to build a career that allowed him to work closely with horses every day. He completed his Farriery training in Scone, NSW, and has now spent 10 years developing his skills, refining his craft and building a deeper understanding of horses and their feet.
But what makes Dave's approach to Farriery particularly special is his horsemanship.
An experienced horseman with a passion for starting and educating horses, Dave understands that good Farriery goes beyond the hoof. He takes pride in creating a positive experience for both horse and owner, using his understanding of horse behaviour and communication to make the shoeing process as calm and comfortable as possible. He's equally passionate about sharing his knowledge, helping owners better understand their horse's feet and the role they play in their horse's overall health and soundness.
And while horses are where his heart lies, Dave's competitive background tells another part of his story.
A six-time Australian bull riding champion, with four PBR Australian titles and two APRA titles to his name, Dave knows what it takes to reach the top of his field. Years spent competing professionally taught him the value of discipline, dedication and continually refining his skills — qualities he now brings to his craft as a Farrier Blacksmith.
To Dave, being a professional Farrier is no different. There's always more to learn, a skill to improve and a better understanding to be gained. His commitment to continuing his education and developing his business reflects the pride he takes in his work and the responsibility he feels towards the horses in his care.
Outside of work, Dave is a family man who still loves the thrill of competition. More recently, he's turned his attention to the campdraft arena, a new challenge that brings together his love of horses and competitive spirit. Just one year into the sport, he's already celebrated his first maiden campdraft win aboard Dallas, his home-bred mare.
With plenty more to learn, horses to ride and goals to chase, Dave is looking forward to seeing where this next chapter takes him — and hopefully seeing a few familiar faces around the campdraft arena along the way.
For Dave, whether it's in the shoeing bay or the competition arena, the pursuit is much the same: keep learning, keep improving and always do right by the horse.
A Whole Hoof Approach | Services
Comprehensive hoof care, with the whole horse in mind.
Dave believes that good hoof care begins with understanding the horse as a whole. From nutrition and gut health to movement, conformation and the environment a horse lives and works in, there are many factors that contribute to the health and function of its feet.
With a philosophy of keeping the hoof as natural and functional as possible, Dave takes an individual approach to every horse. He believes in allowing the hoof to function naturally wherever practical, using shoeing, corrective techniques and additional support when the horse's needs, workload or soundness require it.
As a qualified Farrier Blacksmith and experienced horseman, Dave combines traditional craftsmanship with modern hoof-care knowledge, offering everything from routine barefoot trimming and routine shoeing to specialised performance and corrective Farriery.
His skills as a Blacksmith also allow him to custom-build and modify shoes to suit the individual horse, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Dave is particularly passionate about educating owners on their horse's hoof health and believes that strong, healthy feet begin from the inside out. Good nutrition, digestive health and appropriate hoof care all play an important role in supporting healthy hoof growth and long-term soundness.
For Dave, the goal is always the same — healthy, functional feet that support the horse in whatever life or discipline it enjoys.
Services Include
Hoof Trimming & Maintenance — Routine barefoot trimming, hoof balancing and ongoing care to support natural hoof function.
General Shoeing — Professional shoeing tailored to the horse's conformation, movement, workload and environment.
Corrective & Supportive Shoeing — Individualised hoof-care solutions designed to address specific balance, structural or soundness concerns, including collaboration with veterinarians where required.
Custom Blacksmithing & Handmade Shoes — Hand-forged, custom-built and modified horseshoes to accommodate individual hoof shapes and requirements.
Performance Horse Shoeing — Specialised shoeing for horses competing across a range of disciplines, including studded shoes for additional traction, sliding plates for reining horses and other discipline-specific shoeing requirements.
Hoof Health & Owner Education — Practical advice on hoof maintenance, nutrition, management and supporting healthy hoof growth between Farrier visits.
DAVID KENNEDY FARRIER HOOF FORMULA
Healthy hooves start from within.
Developed with a Farrier's understanding of hoof health, David Kennedy Farrier Hoof Formula is a daily nutritional supplement designed to support stronger, healthier hoof growth from the inside out.
Our carefully selected formula combines biotin, essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids to support healthy hoof growth, strength and structure.
Biotin supports keratin production, while nutrients including zinc, L-methionine and lysine contribute to healthy hoof development. Added vitamins C and E provide antioxidant support, while MSM supplies organic sulphur, an important component of connective tissues, supporting overall joint and tissue health.
Ideal for everyday hoof maintenance or horses needing additional nutritional support for brittle, cracked or poor-quality hooves.
Because good hoof care begins long before the Farrier arrives.
The Hoof Retreat
A hands-on experience in hoof care, horsemanship and education.
Join David Kennedy, Qualified Farrier Blacksmith, for a two-day, two-night retreat dedicated to understanding your horse's feet and developing practical hoof-care skills.
Through live demonstrations and supervised hands-on learning, Dave shares his knowledge of hoof mapping, hoof health, balance, trimming and maintenance. You'll have the opportunity to learn and practise hoof mapping in real life, developing the skills and confidence to better understand and care for your horse's feet between Farrier visits.
Bring your own horse or learn with one of ours, while enjoying comfortable accommodation, nourishing meals and the company of like-minded horse lovers in a relaxed rural setting.
A unique opportunity to learn directly from Dave, deepen your horsemanship and gain a greater understanding of your horse from the ground up.
GET IN TOUCHWhether you're looking for professional Farrier services, interested in our Hoof Formula, The Hoof Retreat or our upcoming Hoof Mapping online course, we'd love to hear from you.
Complete the form below and tell us a little about what you're looking for and how we can help. Dave or a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.
