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Episode Title: Hooves of All Kinds: From Pigs to Giraffes with Ben Pollak
In this episode, we welcome Ben Pollak, founder of The Farrier Group, for a fascinating conversation about hoof care, animal trust, and a truly unconventional journey into the world of pig wellness.
From growing up in Brooklyn and working as a chef, to traveling across the world on a motorcycle and finding himself on a wildlife sanctuary in Australia, Ben's path to animal care is as inspiring as it is unexpected. His passion for animals—especially pigs—shines through as he shares his experiences working with livestock in the Australian outback, professional rodeos, and research universities. He brings a unique combination of hoof care expertise, natural handling methods, and deep empathy to his practice.
Ben discusses how his diverse background (including ballroom dancing!) influences the way he handles pigs—focusing on body language, trust-building, and support rather than restraint. He explains the foundation of The Farrier Group and its mission to raise the standard of hoof care for pigs nationwide. Ben also offers valuable insights for pig owners about what to expect during trims, why restraint-free methods matter, and the importance of allowing pigs to feel safe and seen during care.
If you've ever wondered what it takes to properly care for a pig's hooves, how to handle an anxious or untrained pig, or how far passion and compassion can take you in building a career that changes lives—this episode is for you.
Topics include:
• Ben's adventurous path to animal care
• The problem with restraint-based hoof trimming
• Why most pigs are overfed (and how that affects hoof health)
• How The Farrier Group is setting new standards in the industry
• What owners can do to prepare for successful trims
• Why not to trim your own pig's hooves
Whether you're a pig parent, sanctuary manager, or just love a good story of reinvention and purpose, this episode is packed with heart, humor, and hoof wisdom.
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