Certified Journeyman Farriers
Whether your horse needs advanced, therapeutic shoeing and hoof care delivered in partnership with veterinary experts or needs a simple hoof trim, you can trust the farriers at the College of Veterinary Medicine to be knowledgeable, friendly, and capable. Our farriers are certified journeyman farriers and members of the American Farrier’s Association (AFA), with many years of experience working with horses.
Farrier services can be performed on location, at Midwest Equine, or at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana.
Services
- Trimming in house
- Trimming ambulatory
- Two shoes
- Four shoes
Advanced Services
- Shoes: Hand-Made Steel, Aluminum, Steel Therapeutic, Aluminum Therapeutic, Glue-On, Glue-On Therapeutic
- Trimming
- Pads: Therapeutic and Pour-in
- Glue Patch
- Crack Repair
- Treatment Plate
- Foal Extension
To make an appointment call 217-300-7222.
Meet Our Farriers
Tobias Ellis grew up in the small town of Blodgett, Ore., where he enjoyed riding horses all over the mountains of the Oregon Coast Range. Since graduating from the farrier science program at the Linn-Benton Community College, in Albany, Ore., Tobias owned and operated a farrier service in Central and Western Oregon. He became a member of the American Farrier’s Association in 2015 and became a Certified Journeyman Farrier in 2021. Tobias is married to his high school sweetheart, and they have three children. Tobias joined the University of Illinois Farrier Service in fall 2022.
Tobias’ favorite part of farrier practice is his ability to help horses of any breed or that are used for various purposes. He is a believer in lifelong learning and excellent customer service.
“I am excited to bring my skills in customer service—namely, answering phones, scheduling appointments, showing up on time, and professional horsemanship—to this position,” he wrote in his introductory letter.
Since joining the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Tobias has put this philosophy into practice. He has also initiated mentored training of veterinary students, veterinarians, and professional farriers.
He was recently named Vice-President of the Land of Lincoln Horseshoers Association. Tobias is excited to help develop professional farrier services in Central Illinois.
Jacob Manning comes from a long line of farriers and blacksmiths. When he was 14, he started an apprenticeship under his father. He passed his American Farrier’s Association (AFA) exam in 2002 and become a Certified Journeyman Farrier in 2004.
Jacob has worked as a farrier throughout the United States as well as in England. Since 2012, when he became an AFA-certified instructor, he has served as a dedicated teacher for others. He also works as an examiner for the AFA.
Jacob is highly respected in his community and the farrier world. He has won farrier competitions across the country, finishing in the top 20 at the AFA National Convention on multiple occasions. His leadership roles have included serving on the AFA board of directors from 2012 to 2021 and as president of the Utah Horseshoers Guild from 2005 to 2007 and from 2010 to 2020. He is serving as vice president of the AFA.
In his free time, Jacob enjoys camping and spending time with his wife, four children, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter as well as spending time at his forge.
