Business Philosophy:
We follow a “barefoot when possible, shod when necessary” approach — prioritizing natural hoof function whenever it best serves the horse, while skillfully applying composites or therapeutic solutions when additional support is needed.
Our mission is to deliver comprehensive, approachable, and client-focused farrier services that not only address immediate needs, but also support long-term health and well-being. By working in partnership with owners, veterinarians, and other equine professionals, we strive to create the best possible outcomes for every horse in our care.
Sara Allin, APF-I, RHDP
Sara Allin, owner of Big River Equine, LLC in Jefferson County, Missouri, is an Accredited Professional Farrier with the International Association of Professional Farriers (IAPF) who has been serving the equine community as a full-time farrier for over 15 years. With more than 30 years of horsemanship experience, Sara brings both depth of knowledge and a lifelong passion for horses into her practice.
Her work focuses on barefoot trimming, composite shoeing, and lameness rehabilitation, with particular expertise in addressing complex soundness issues. Known for her thoughtful, whole-horse approach, Sara combines technical skill with a compassionate understanding of each horse’s unique needs.
Sara is also a dedicated student and hoof care practitioner of Equine Postural Rehabilitation, the groundbreaking work of Dr. Judith Shoemaker and Dr. Karen Gellman. She is honored to be recommended by them as a Postural Rehab Farrier, integrating their principles to enhance posture, biomechanics, and overall balance in the horses she serves. This perspective enables her to recognize the subtle yet critical connections between hoof health, movement, dental malocclusions, and full-body alignment and then help owners create a collaborative, team-based approach to addressing the horse as a whole.
In addition to her farrier practice, Sara serves as a mentor and instructor with the International School of Integrative Hoof Care (ISIH), where she guides students in hoof mapping, postural assessment, anatomy, tool use, connected handling, and much more. She is passionate about helping students develop not only their technical skills, but also their ability to “see the whole horse” and understand how posture, movement, and hoof health are deeply interconnected.
As a mentor, Sara strives to create a supportive learning environment that builds confidence and encourages curiosity. She is known for helping students experience those transformative “aha” moments — where the science, art, and feel of hoof care all come together. Her approach combines practical knowledge with creative problem-solving, preparing students to think critically and compassionately as they grow into skilled hoof care professionals.
Sara is widely respected for her dedication to continuing education, her vast network of professional collaborations, and her ability to apply creative, out-of-the-box problem solving to even the most challenging cases. At the core of her work is a commitment to keeping horses comfortable, sound, and thriving — and is guided by a commitment to long-term wellness, helping horses thrive through balanced, preventive care and equipping owners with knowledge that makes lasting results possible.
Committees and Memberships
Sara is a proud member of:
The American Association of Professional Farriers
www.professionalfarriers.com
Education and Designations
Sara earned her IAPF Foundation Credential on 7/14/2022 as a personal commitment to the profession by putting her years of acquired knowledge to the test.
Sara completed her Sara earned her Level 1 Recognizing Hoof Distortion Practitioner designation from Daisy Haven Farm School of Integrative Hoof Care in Parkesburg, PA in 2014 after two years of intense study, travel and hands on workshops assessing 150+ cadaver hooves with progressive radiographs (64 hours), 24 lecture hours and farrier business classes.
Sara has a long history working alongside Daisy as a coach & mentor to newly enrolled students and enjoys assisting Daisy and the students during the glue on shoe and live horse portions of the Recognizing Hoof Capsule Distortion workshops.
Sara's CE Credentials can be found here: