November 2017

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

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Table Of Contents

Table Of Contents

Frankly Speaking: Business Management Means Focusing On Yourself

By Jeremy McGovern posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices

The annual Farrier Supplies And Services Directory has become a trusted resource for the industry in its years of existence. Another benefit to this issue is the collection of business articles that appear in its pages. Since 1982, this special issue has helped farriers find valuable strategies for growing and protecting their businesses, earning more income and keeping that money in their pockets.
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Briefings: November 2017

November 6, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Diseases, Lamenesses

Early Signs Of Laminitis Easily Missed By Horse Owners A recent study indicates that horse owners might easily confuse early signs of laminitis with other common conditions.
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What's This? Cross Firing Prevention

Take a journey back in time as we explore a shoe from the past

November 6, 2017 | Posted in Forging, Therapeutic Shoeing

The history of farriery is as rich as it is ancient. It’s believed that migratory Eurasian tribes used horseshoes during the second century before the birth of Christ.
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Reader Commentary: November 2017

November 6, 2017

Ethics Code Part Of Being A Professional Professional farriers are acknowledged individuals specializing in the knowledge and skill of our profession. Professionals are capable of making judgments, applying their skills and reaching informed decisions in situations that the general public cannot because they have not received the relevant training.
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2017 Reader Survey

Dealing with the Nasty Ones

Your safety is the number one concern when working with unruly horses

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 6, 2017

When we asked farriers in a recent American Farriers Journal farrier industry survey how often they work with unruly horses, the results were surprising. The reality is that many of you are working with more unruly horses than anyone would have suspected.
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Putting a Number on Ideal Hoof Wall Length

Proper measurements with a toe rule can point farriers in the right direction

By Jeff Cota posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Trimming

What is the ideal length that hoof wall should be trimmed to?” Gerard Laverty’s question was met with a pregnant pause before the attendees at the Oregon Farriers Association mid-September clinic chuckled all at once.
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From The AFJ Archives: November 2017

November 1987 — Business Management – Now, A Financial Primer for Career Farriers

By Ken Roby posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices

1987 ARTICLE OVERVIEW For many years, this directory issue has delivered practical farrier business insight along with the resource information. That wasn’t always the case.
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Using A Marketing Plan To Promote Your Practice

Strategic planning combined with outside resources can help promote and grow your farrier practice

By Rachael Kane posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices

There is no argument that farriery is a male-dominated industry. Being female is part of my experience as a farrier. To give you a bit of context, in Australia we have trimming schools filled with female recruits.
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State, Local Jurisdictions Cloud Sales Tax Collection For Hoof-Care Providers

Where you live and work has a impact on what you need to collect from clients in sales taxes

By Jeremy McGovern posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices

Paying taxes is an inevitable part of operating a business. Depending on where you live in the United States, sales tax is a mandatory part of taxation and the billing process of a farrier practice. Unfortunately, the lack of uniformity makes collecting sales tax confusing.
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Benefit Your Practice By Understanding How To Help Apprentices Excel

A primary hoof-care education is essential to a successful working relationship with a mentor

By Mitch Taylor posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Apprenticeships play an integral role in the industry by helping to educate tomorrow’s farriers while increasing the mentor’s earnings and managing the workload. Before the mentor and farrier school graduate enter into a working relationship, it’s important to understand the definition of the word “apprentice.”
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Forging a Heart Bar has Never Been Easier

Hall Of Fame farrier Myron McLane shows how to apply a frog plate to a keg shoe

By Jeff Cota posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Forging, Therapeutic Shoeing

You need a heart-bar shoe, but you don’t have time to forge one. No problem, says International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Myron McLane. A heart bar doesn’t need to be hand forged to be effective. All you need is a keg shoe, a short piece of bar stock and a little elbow grease.
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Heed the Warning Signs for Stress

Long-time shoer turned counselor offers coping strategies to avoid burnout, which can prematurely end a farrier career

By Jeff Cota posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Safety & Healthcare

Harry Trosin loved his job. The Oklahoma shoer simply couldn’t wait to get to work each morning for more than 30 years. Then it all changed.
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A Guideline To Expect The Expected And Unexpected

Determining what it costs to work with each horse is a valuable tool for determining the profitability of your practice

By Jeremy McGovern posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices

There are differences in how every farrier approaches his or her business. Still, the most common and effective way to manage the finances of a farrier business remains knowing what it costs to shoe a horse.
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Give Your Practice A Technological Advantage

Spend less time on paperwork, get paid faster and schedule clients efficiently from the palm of your hand

By Katie Navarra posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Farriery is a centuries old profession that hasn’t changed much at its core. However, in this day and age, technology can help take your hoof-care business to the next level.
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Focusing On Foot Prep Before A Contest

Two members of the American Farriers Team discuss trimming the foot during a demonstration

November 6, 2017 | Posted in Trimming

At the August clinic held at Anvil Brand in Lexington, Ill., American Farriers Team members Bryan Osborne and Bodie Trnka did a live shoeing, followed by working on shoe building and modifications.
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How Yoga Can Help Your Footcare Practice

Wyoming farrier credits system of poses and breathing techniques for avoiding hip and knee surgery and prolonging his career

By Linda Braus posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Safety & Healthcare

Long days working under horses that weigh more than 1,000 pounds take a toll on a farrier’s body. A farrier for more than 30 years, Mitch Shelhamer knows this all-too-well.
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Enter The Summit Mail-In Forging Exercise

Build this shoe for a FREE T-shirt and your chance to win a belt buckle

November 6, 2017 | Posted in Forging, Shoeing

Sponsored by VICTORY, this forging exercise will be tied to the International Hoof-Care Summit. You don’t need to attend to participate — mail in your straight bar shoe to enter this free contest. IHCS attendees can save on the postage and drop off their shoe at the Summit.
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Featured Articles

Featured Articles

2017 Reader Survey

Dealing with the Nasty Ones

Your safety is the number one concern when working with unruly horses

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 6, 2017

When we asked farriers in a recent American Farriers Journal farrier industry survey how often they work with unruly horses, the results were surprising. The reality is that many of you are working with more unruly horses than anyone would have suspected.
Read More

Forging a Heart Bar has Never Been Easier

Hall Of Fame farrier Myron McLane shows how to apply a frog plate to a keg shoe

By Jeff Cota posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Forging, Therapeutic Shoeing

You need a heart-bar shoe, but you don’t have time to forge one. No problem, says International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Myron McLane. A heart bar doesn’t need to be hand forged to be effective. All you need is a keg shoe, a short piece of bar stock and a little elbow grease.
Read More

Putting a Number on Ideal Hoof Wall Length

Proper measurements with a toe rule can point farriers in the right direction

By Jeff Cota posted on November 6, 2017 | Posted in Trimming

What is the ideal length that hoof wall should be trimmed to?” Gerard Laverty’s question was met with a pregnant pause before the attendees at the Oregon Farriers Association mid-September clinic chuckled all at once.
Read More
Digital Edition

Digital Edition

For Digital Subscribers: Login To Your Digital Flipbook Of The November 2017 Issue

November 6, 2017

Now view magazine-like digital flipbooks on your desktop and tablet. Starting in 2015 issues, included for FREE with your Digital or Premium subscription, view the magazine on your laptop, tablet, and mobile device. You need to be logged in to view.
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Online Extras
Online Extras
Online Extras: November 2017

November 6, 2017

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

It’s important to stay aware of sales tax laws to avoid costly penalties, writes retired North Carolina farrier Buck O’Neil.

Download a worksheet to calculate expenses you incur while operating your equine hoof-care practice.

International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Myron McLane details the importance and application of heart-bar shoes.

Watch video to gain more insightful footcare knowledge from American Farriers Team members Bodie Trnka and Bryan Osbourne.

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