MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Scott Bushaw, CJF
I was born and grew up in metro Detroit. When I finished high school, I began a residential carpentry apprenticeship. I was nearly finished with it when the full weight of the 2007 recession put a full stop on new homes and condos being built. A friend of mine was going to school to fix medical equipment at the time, and I thought that sounded like pretty secure work. So, I went back to school and worked at the Henry Ford Hospital and the University of Michigan Hospital over the next nine years. It didn’t take long before being stuck in a hospital basement took its toll. My folks had horses, and I thought it would be a great way to work for myself, be outside, and do something I could feel proud to do. So, I went to Heartland Horseshoeing School. When I got home, I worked with David Hallock and Henry Detweiler in Michigan. Henry introduced me to Doug Russo at a clinic, and it wasn’t long before I was headed to Iowa to work with Doug. I planned on working with Doug a while and heading back to Michigan eventually, until McKenzie walked her horse into Doug’s shop to be shod. Once we were engaged, I started my business here in Iowa and abandoned any plans of heading back to Michigan.
Henry Detweiler was the first mentor of mine who completely cut me loose. We would get to a stop and he would say, “You get that one over there done,” and he would just let me work. He never rushed me. He just wanted me to do a solid job. I will always remember what a confidence booster that was, just starting out. My greatest mentor was and still is Doug Russo. Like Henry, it wasn’t long before Doug would let me work without looking over my shoulder. He helped me understand the ins and outs of the Journeyman exam, lamenesses that we would see, and helped me see how beneficial it can be to think outside the box when presented with challenging cases.
The Russos generously took me in when I first arrived in Iowa. Even once I had landed on my feet, they would frequently have me over for dinner or during a holiday. They really made me feel at home while I was so far away from family, which I will always be grateful. McKenzie and I enjoy spending time with family. It is definitely faster to visit her family than it is to visit mine, though! I really do enjoy spending time in the forge when I get home or on the weekends. Competing is something that keeps wind in my sails. I have taken the last year or so off to catch up with projects at home and spend more time with McKenzie.
My best experiences shoeing are when I know that I’ve done the best job I can do and make a horse the better for it. When you can take all your efforts from the late nights in the forge or from the books and apply them to an animal dependent on you for their care, it is so personally rewarding. My worst experiences shoeing is when working for people who let their horse push them around, have no manners, and generally make excuses for their horses’ poor behavior.
My favorite thing about shoeing is that I get to be outside, visit with clients, and do something that brings me joy. My least favorite thing about shoeing is the business side. Scheduling, billing, and squeezing in that lost shoe on the farthest horse in your books….
One of the biggest lessons Ive learned is that no one is going to watch out for your well-being better than yourself, so you should be comfortable with using the word NO. There are people who will have you under a rank mule with a head lamp on if you let them. Setting boundaries on your time and standards for what is an acceptable amount of risk when it comes to horses’ behavior is important.
The IPFA has helped me tremendously by allowing me to meet so many people who have influenced me one way or another. I always look forward to seeing everyone at a clinic, certification, or meeting.