American Farriers Journal

March 2015 AFJ

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March 2015

Volume: 41
Edition: 2

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

  • Table Of Contents

    Table Of Contents

    Jeremy McGovern
    Frankly Speaking

    The Importance of Moving Beyond Your Mistakes

    At the 2015 International Hoof-Care Summit, Dave Farley delivered the closing remarks, which fired up attendees to return home and work to excel in their footcare practices. The short presentation hit the mark and several attendees say that it was a highlight of their experience. You can hear that speech in its entirety at americanfarriers.com/farleyspeech.
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    Briefings

    Researchers at The Royal Veterinary College in the United Kingdom and Uppsala University in Sweden shared research that indicates longeing as a helpful exercise during lameness examinations.
    Read More

    Letter Box

    I am one of many blacksmith instructors from across the country. We all are in need of a little help from our farrier brothers. We use old rasps in our classes for cleaning projects and teaching proper use of rasps in blacksmithing.
    Read More
    Wow-1.jpg

    Summit Attendees Gobble Up The Whole Hoof-Care Package

    Attendees take home 4 days of nonstop education for their practices
    It's not surprising that the 2015 International Hoof-Care Summit (IHCS) continued to set record numbers in attendance. It offers the most diverse lectures about farriery, plus the largest trade show in the world. The IHCS is the only place where the farrier industry can get the whole package in one place.
    Read More
    AFJ_Farrier_Invoice

    Horse Owners Want More Footcare Details

    Recent surveys reveal significant differences between what farriers believe clients are seeking in terms of information and what horse owners really want
    Results from two recent American Farriers Journal surveys indicate horse owners want considerably more hoof-care information than many farriers are providing. The owners also urged farriers to improve communications, get tougher on collecting past due payments and start accepting credit cards.
    Read More
    461_SFL_Tim-Shannon_JM_0115.jpg
    Shoeing for a Living

    Building His Own Style In Southern California

    California farrier Tim Shannon says the knowledge he has gained from others has helped develop his footcare philosophy

    There are obvious advantages for farriers who grew up around horses and entered the trade at a young age. They should be further ahead in several aspects of farriery than their counterparts who entered the profession later in life. The earlier someone can build their knowledge of equine anatomy and skills trimming and shoeing feet, the greater the likelihood of success as a farrier.


    Read More

    Treating Hoof Infections With Maggots

    Following a consultation with a veterinarian, this farrier uses maggot therapy for tough case
    Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) to heal infected wounds has been used for centuries with humans. In the 1920s, Johns Hopkins University became the first place documented in the United States to use maggot therapy in a clinical situation.
    Read More

    Quantifying Functional Limb Length Disparity In Horses

    This pilot study with five horses investigates a standardized method of calculating limb symmetry between pairs of forelimbs
    Asymmetry of the forelimbs of the horse is acknowledged as a common condition, which can result in asymmetric movement, abnormities of gait and even lameness. Limb length disparity (LLD) has been previously classified into two categories: structural and functional.
    Read More
    1056_IHCS_JL_2015.jpg

    Summit Mail-In Forging Exercise Winner Named

    Stockport, Ohio, farrier Mike Augenstein wins inaugural forging exercise judged at the International Hoof-Care Summit
    No stranger to forging competitions, Stockport, Ohio, farrier Mike Augenstein has competed twice as a member of the American Farriers Team and in several World Championship Blacksmith contests. With his history of competing, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he took first place with the inaugural Summit Mail-In Forging Exercise.
    Read More
    Daniels_photo.jpg

    Remembering Bruce Daniels

    Friends and colleagues recall how the Hall Of Fame farrier touched their lives
    On Dec. 30, Bruce Daniels passed away at the age of 82. The South Harrison Township, N.J., farrier was a leader in the farrier industry, serving in a number of positions for the American Farrier's Association (AFA) including president, secretary and board member. He was also a several time member of the American Farriers Team.
    Read More
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    Steve Bloom

    The renowned farrier and businessman will be remembered as a true gentleman and innovator
    On Jan. 11, Steve Bloom of Buckner, Ky., passed away at the age of 70. Bloom, born on Oct. 29, 1944, in Red Bank, N.J., was the founder and president of Grand Circuit Products LLC.
    Read More

    Recognizing When X-Rays Are Legitimate Pictures

    Veterinarian outlines three keys for helpful images in your farrier practice and how to get them
    Real estate agents fondly recite their mantra, "location, location, location," when explaining to clients that where a house sits is the most important factor in its value.
    Read More
    553_SFL_Tim Shannon_JM_0115.jpg

    Considerations for Getting a Better Fit

    Farrier educator Dusty Franklin delivers insight on fitting feet by minding the basics
    Through his travels around the globe while competing, testing and doing clinics, Dusty Franklin says fitting the feet is the most common struggle he finds among farriers. Considering all of the different points of views that exist among farriers, the owner and instructor of the Five Star Horseshoeing School in Minco, Okla., put together a presentation to address the subject in terms of the basics.
    Read More

    Getting A Grip On Hammers

    Tool experts give their advice on more comfortable usage of hammers
    Hammers are among the farrier's most-used tools, so it's important to get good ones. And one of the first things you should consider is how it fits you.
    Read More
    Barefoot

    Help Horse Owners Understand Climate Plays a Critical Role in Hoof Health

    Ideal conditions can be created, even in less than ideal climates
    Horses are kept in a wide variety of environments — indoors, outdoors, big pastures, small pens, every kind of footing imaginable — and climates, from the arid deserts of the Southwest to the rain forests of western Washington, humid tropical climates of Florida, or muddy springtime in Maine. The environment definitely impacts the health and structure of horses’ feet.
    Read More
    HOF Logo

    Six Honored For Outstanding Hoof-Care Careers

    Three farriers and three veterinarians are inducted into Halls Of Fame for their life-long achievement in the footcare field

    Three farriers and three veterinarians were honored for their outstanding work in equine footcare during Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies at the 12th annual International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.


    Read More
    Rising Shoeing Star Logo

    Three Farriers Recognized As Future Footcare Leaders

    Three farriers were recognized at the 2015 International Hoof-Care Summit for making remarkable progress in their farrier careers just 3 years out of shoeing school

    In 2009, American Farriers Journal joined six industry suppliers to create the Rising Shoeing Star award to be given out each year at the International Hoof-Care Summit. This award is presented to three farriers who have made incredible professional progress within 3 years of graduation from farrier school.


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    Spotlight on Hoof Care

    46th Annual Michigan Horseshoers Association Clinic Boasts Tough Competition

    With four speakers and 3 days of competition, this historical event continues to offer learning opportunities

    The Michigan Horseshoers Association (MHA) recently held its 46th annual clinic and contest in East Lansing, Mich. Sixty farriers from as far south as Texas and as far north as Canada came to attend and compete in the event. From Jan. 8-10, attendees participated in lectures and demos by Tom Willoughby of Crown Point, Ind.; Andy Canoy of Grand Blanc, Mich.; Laura Pylman of Laingsburg, Mich.; and Roy Bloom of Drummund, Wis., who was also the judge for several forging competitions held at the event.


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    Research Journal

    Researchers in Vienna examined the utility of using heart rate and heart rate variability to estimate the degree of pain felt by 12 horses with clinically obvious laminitis compared to five unaffected control horses. In addition, heart rates were compared to the Obel pain scale, historically used to describe the severity of laminitis pain where “1” is used for horses that shift their weight from one foot to another while standing or are lame only at a trot and “4” is used for horses that are very reluctant or refuse to move.


    Read More
  • Featured Articles

    Featured Articles

    Treating Hoof Infections With Maggots

    Following a consultation with a veterinarian, this farrier uses maggot therapy for tough case
    Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) to heal infected wounds has been used for centuries with humans. In the 1920s, Johns Hopkins University became the first place documented in the United States to use maggot therapy in a clinical situation.
    Read More
    Wow-1.jpg

    Summit Attendees Gobble Up The Whole Hoof-Care Package

    Attendees take home 4 days of nonstop education for their practices
    It's not surprising that the 2015 International Hoof-Care Summit (IHCS) continued to set record numbers in attendance. It offers the most diverse lectures about farriery, plus the largest trade show in the world. The IHCS is the only place where the farrier industry can get the whole package in one place.
    Read More
    461_SFL_Tim-Shannon_JM_0115.jpg
    Shoeing for a Living

    Building His Own Style In Southern California

    California farrier Tim Shannon says the knowledge he has gained from others has helped develop his footcare philosophy

    There are obvious advantages for farriers who grew up around horses and entered the trade at a young age. They should be further ahead in several aspects of farriery than their counterparts who entered the profession later in life. The earlier someone can build their knowledge of equine anatomy and skills trimming and shoeing feet, the greater the likelihood of success as a farrier.


    Read More
  • Online Extras

    Online Extras

    Online Extras: March 2015 Issue

    Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

    • Valuable advice for dealing with payment issues gleaned from two horse owner and farrier surveys
    • Video of farrier Tim Shannon showing his one-heat modification for heel extension
    • Marc Jerram's university dissertation: An Assessment of Static and Dynamic Asymmetry in 10 Unbroken Horses
    • Influential articles from the late Bruce Daniels
    • Two studies focusing on moisture in the equine foot
    • 2015 International Horseing Hall Of Fame & International Equine Veterinarian Hall Of Fame inductee videos

    Read More
    AFJ_Farrier_Invoice
    Web-Exclusive Feature

    Horse Owners are Asking for More Footcare Details

    As described in detail on pages 24 and 25 of the March 2015 issue of American Farriers Journal, several recent surveys reveal significant differences between what farriers believe clients are seeking in terms of footcare information and what horse owners say they really want.
    Read More
    Web-Exclusive Feature

    Hoof Wall Moisture Doesn't Differ In Various Climates

    Brian Hampson, Chris Pollitt and colleagues at the Australian Brumby Research Unit at the University of Queensland, completed a study in 2010 in which they sought to determine the affect of various environmental conditions on the degree of hydration in hoof horn wall tissue from feral horses.
    Read More

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