“Link” has been shoeing horses for 30 years.
In the early 1990’s he undertook his apprenticeship with legendary Hunter Valley farrier Billy Neville.
After completing his trade qualifications, he started his own farriery business servicing the studs and performance horses of the Hunter Valley. Link’s interest in managing laminitis cases and complicated lameness conditions has led to him travelling to the United States on a regular basis to attend seminars, the Kentucky Laminitis Symposium and the American Farriers Association Convention to further his knowledge and training in these areas. “Link” has competed regularly in Farriery competitions and in 1996 was successful in winning the Australian Farriery Championships. This success took him to the Calgary Stampede later that year to compete at the World Farriery championships.
On his return from the U.S., Link joined forces with veterinarian Dr Terry Hicks of the Muswellbrook Veterinary Hospital to establish the Hunter Valley Podiatry and Lameness Centre. “Link” has worked continually in the field of Podiatry and Lameness servicing the Performance Horses and Thoroughbred studs of the Hunter Valley and surrounding regions. He is regularly called in as a consultant by owners, managers and farriers to provide expert opinion on complicated hoof and lameness cases.
“Link” is dedicated to understanding the art and science of equine podiatry and lameness and to passing this knowledge on to horse owners, farriers and veterinarians. He continues to travel, attend seminars and teach at workshops. The Baumann family lives at Werris Creek and “Link” travels to Hunter Valley to serve his clients from the Equine Podiatry and Lameness Centre and Tamworth Equine Veterinary Centre.