After having back surgery, Hillsborough, N.C., farrier Jeff Denson wanted more balance to his work and family life, so he established working hours of 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. for his practice.
As a generalization, it seems that some farriers do not consider it necessary to actually run an efficient, professional business and focus more on the shoemaking side in preference to the part that actually keeps you and the horse safe and makes you money.
When he was a young man, being a farrier wasn’t on Drew Golden’s radar. Born on Long Island, N.Y., he didn’t even have much interaction with horses. Instead, his passion rested elsewhere. Golden was an accomplished musician, studying the subject and playing saxophone in bands. He still plays in a band today, making the time between a busy work schedule and family time.
A record number of equine footcare professionals took part in the 14th annual International Hoof-Care Summit to hear, “Trusted Practices, Innovative Thought.”
Attendees of this winter’s Summit were treated to a wealth of information from some of the most knowledgeable hoof-care experts in the world. Over 4 days in late January, they had the opportunity to take part in:
Bright green grass is one of the signs of spring, but all that green is also a red flag for hoof-care professionals. It means it’s time to remind your clients of an increased danger of certain forms of laminitis, as well as keeping an eye peeled for the early warning signs of the disease.
One of the consequences of domestic life for horses is hoof disease. Diet and heredity, along with confinement, contribute to certain serious conditions of the hoof.
Nine individuals were honored for outstanding careers in hoof care during the Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies at the 14th annual International Hoof-Care Summit.
Three farriers were honored at the 2017 International Hoof-Care Summit for making remarkable progress in their footcare 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.
For the third straight year, VICTORY sponsored the Summit Mail-In Forging Exercise. This challenge was free to enter and participants each received a T-shirt for their efforts.
The sport of polo wasn’t always a sport. The oldest game using a ball and some sort of stick on a horse, is thought to have originated thousands of years ago in ancient Persia or China.
When a veterinarian sends you a digital radiograph, what should you be focusing your attention on?
After 29 years in equine practice, Mocksville, N.C., equine veterinarian Jim Meeker has found that there are five key parameters that farriers should be looking for on a radiograph:
Payson, Utah, farrier Shayne Carter first delivered his presentation “What Is Balance?” at the 2005 American Farrier’s Association Convention. Those who see this presentation today are rewarded with 11 years of additional experience that the Hall Of Fame farrier has augmented this lecture with.
The information, ideas and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Department of Agriculture.
When he was a young man, being a farrier wasn’t on Drew Golden’s radar. Born on Long Island, N.Y., he didn’t even have much interaction with horses. Instead, his passion rested elsewhere. Golden was an accomplished musician, studying the subject and playing saxophone in bands. He still plays in a band today, making the time between a busy work schedule and family time.
One of the consequences of domestic life for horses is hoof disease. Diet and heredity, along with confinement, contribute to certain serious conditions of the hoof.
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The stories of farrier courage, persistence and dedication are the stuff of legend. The desire to finish what is started transcends broken bones, failed muscles and severed blood vessels. Fortunately, most of these calamities have to be endured for only a short period.
Ice is more than the stuff you pour your drink over at the end of the day. It remains one of the most consistently proven means of preventing or treating many types of early laminitis.
Lebanon, Ohio, farrier Gunner Gatski entertained 2017 International Hoof-Care Summit attendees during his acceptance speech for the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame by sharing stories of his run in with "the prized Polish chicken" and how he "almost became famous for nailing on golden shoes."
The Horse Industry Organization (HIO) operating plan contract for the 14 certified groups states, “A pressure shoeing violation shall be defined as soring, trimming or engaging in any practice the result of which causes the inducement of pain in the sole of the foot.”
Many in the Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) industry maintain less soring and pressure shoeing is taking place than in the past. Others aren’t so sure, citing evidence that indicates that the banned practices are still all too common among high-level horses.
While soring has been banned for 38 years under the government’s Horse Protection Act (HPA), Donna Benefield maintains there’s been a lack of desire to bring about needed change.
Whether soring is less of a concern than it used to be pretty much depends on whom you are talking with. But many of the folks who maintain that soring and pressure shoeing are still major concerns in the Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) industry and with several other breeds, readily admit that the practice has gotten much more sophisticated and tougher for inspectors to identify.
As the controversial American Farriers Journal series on the soring and pressure-shoeing situation wraps up in this issue, it’s a good time to reflect on several recent developments aimed at ending this illegal practice.
American Farriers Journal is excited and honored to celebrate its 50th anniversary of publishing the hands-on magazine for hoof-care professionals. Learn more about our special edition, which comes out in December 2024.
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