Who is Steve Wiberg
Horses aren’t just Steve’s career - they’re his legacy. Born into a family deeply rooted in the equine world, his mother, a trainer at the Arlington Park Racecourse in Chicago, rode while five months pregnant with him, and his father instilled in him an unwavering passion for these magnificent animals. With 50 years of hands-on experience, Steve’s life has revolved around horses.
His journey began at just 7 years old, teaching beginners to ride. By 9, he was walking “hots” (cooling down racehorses) at the track. At 16, he became a jockey, later transitioning to an exercise rider and eventually an assistant trainer under Dent Canton. For eight years, he dedicated 16-hour days to the barn, honing his craft before becoming a successful racehorse trainer himself.
But it was the hoof that truly captivated him. Frustrated by quarter cracks in his own horses, Steve immersed himself in equine podiatry, studying anatomy, collaborating with veterinarians, and mastering corrective farriery. Today, he’s a renowned farrier, known for his precision in treating quarter cracks, lameness, and performance-related hoof issues while working alongside veterinarians, trainers, and owners.
A mentor to many, Steve emphasizes communication, education, and exceptional customer service, because every horse deserves expert care, and every owner deserves trust and transparency.
A Day in the Life
Join us as we follow America's Favorite Farrier, Steve Wiberg, around Yarra Yarra Equestrian Center as he and his team shoe 6 different horses. Steve and his team have completed up to 30 horses in one day and average about 15 horses daily.
Featured on This is SF
Segment featuring Steve Wiberg, America’s Favorite Farrier from 2018
Testimonials
“Steve has been coming to our ranch to manage our horses’ hoof care needs for close to 20 years. For the past eight years, we have been running a retirement facility. The elderly horses don’t need any specialized shoeing once they retire here but what I can say is that Steve is always respectful and kind to our horses and is infinitely patient with each and every one of them. When a new client comes on board, I always recommend Steve for his or her horse’s hoof care.
Steve is always on time and reliable but if, for some reason he is running a bit late or needs to make a change in the appointment, he always calls in due time to let me know. This trait is very important to us, showing that he respects our time and work schedules. I particularly enjoy the positive energy Steve brings to our early Tuesday morning appointments!
Steve’s crew is also respectful and competent. Under Steve’s tutelage they provide the same quality service that we expect at each and every visit.
We appreciate Steve’s philosophy of “less is more” when it comes to horses’ feet. He’s not one to recommend complicated shoeing just because he can. Some retired horses come in here with special pads or specialized shoes that other farriers have recommended, but Steve will assess the horse’s new lifestyle and make a decision based on current conditions and needs.
I’m sure he’s seen just about every scenario in his many years of farrier work so that is one of the reasons we put our trust in his hands.”
- Pam McReynolds
“Steve has been our farrier for close to 20 years. He always takes the time to explain things if you have questions and listens to your concerns. But most importantly, he listens and sees the individual horse and their needs. The horses are so confident and relaxed around Steve and definitely know his truck and voice when he arrives. The horses trust him and his visits are always enjoyable.
Lastly, Steve and the team are fascinating to watch. Not only their skilled farrier work, but it is also an impressive ‘time and motion study’ to observe, but never ever feels rushed. I feel incredibly lucky to have had Steve as our farrier for all these years.”
- Alison Scott
“I have known Steve Wiberg for over 14 years, and am writing this testimonial to recognize his expertise and dedication to his trade. There are 3 medically related words that no horseman should experience, and they are ‘Founder’, ‘Laminitis’, and ‘White Line disease’. Unfortunately, my horse, Justin, and I experienced all. In 2002, Justin foundered, and after 6 months battling the disease, it was winning, and he could barely walk. I had tried everything, and the inevitable last resort was to put him down. A few days before that was to happen, a friend strongly recommended that I consult with Ashton Cloninger DVM, as he had used him with remarkable results. This was my last hope. Ash brought his farrier team, which included Steve Wiberg and Scott Bakewell. They changed applications and medications to support and balance the ever-changing hoof condition. Ash said that within a week I should see a different horse and I did. There were great challenges bringing him back to soundness and these were not done overnight. The healing process was frustrating with ups and downs and constant adjustments. After the hoof was stabilized, we continued to fight laminitis and white line. Justin became sound and I was riding again. Steve and Ash continued to keep us sound for another 14 years and constantly changed the applications as Justin’s hooves dictated. X-rays were key. Steve is a believer in what he does and is dedicated to finding a solution to make your horse comfortable while healing. He is open-minded and listens to the owner. His goal is to provide assistance to help the animal – no matter what time of the day. I trust Steve’s work ethic, and with his expertise and his relationship with Ash, I was able to have many years of riding time and good memories that I cherish.”
- Linda Austin
”Steve has been our farrier since we started our business 10 years ago. In that time he has looked after all of our top horses and ponies, from our hunters that are qualifying for the indoor shows, to our Grand Prix horses. He is always eager to work with our vet, and is willing to work with complicated issues, and makes them better. What really makes him special though, is how much he truly cares about all of the horses and students. He calls when we are at the shows to find out how everyone is doing, and is really excited to hear about the progress and success that everyone is having. Steve is an invaluable member of our team, and we are grateful to him for his commitment and expertise!”
-Tammy Blanchette