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American Farriers Journal

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April 2018

Volume: 44
Edition: 3

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

    How Can Farriers Protect Their Interests?

    American Veterinary Medical Association’s proposed elimination of farrier exemption underscores industry’s call to action
    By Jeff Cota posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices
    Farriers belong to an industry with a healthy contribution to the United States economy. The entire equine industry generates about $122 billion in total economic impact, according to the American Horse Council (AHC) Foundation’s 2017 Economic Impact Study of the U.S. Horse Industry, which was released in late February. It’s responsible for 1.74 million jobs and $79 billion in total salaries, wages and benefits.
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    Severe White Line Disease Causes Serious Problems

    Infection leads to hoof capsule destabilization and coffin bone displacement in a Western Pleasure mare
    By Lydia Mudd posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Clients, Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing
    White line disease (WLD) is a common hoof disorder, particularly in horses kept in moist or humid environments. While many cases are relatively minor, severe cases can develop that require the expertise of a farrier and veterinarian team.
    Read More
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    Opinions on Preventing and Treating White Line Disease

    Hoof wall separation opens the door to the dreaded bacterial and fungus infection
    By Katie Navarra posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Clients, Diseases, Lamenesses, Trimming
    Theoretically, treatment for white line disease should be simple — kill infection-causing bacteria and fungi. In reality, treating white line disease can be far more complicated. Bacteria and fungi naturally exist inside the hoof wall in a mutually beneficial relationship.
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    Searching for the Missing Puzzle Piece in Problem Feet

    Life Data Labs unveils new research project to study mineral content
    By Aneela Nasir posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education, Diseases, Nutrition
    Most horse owners focus much of their attention on maintaining a shiny hair coat, mane and flowing tail. However, many of these seemingly model horses also have problem feet. “What’s missing?” Mike Barker, sales representative at the Cherokee, Ala.-based Life Data Labs rhetorically asks attendees at the 2018 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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    Equine Education Between Your Barn Stops

    Podcasts can make the time you spend driving more productive
    April 7, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Education
    The most recent American Farriers Journal Farrier Business Practices Survey showed that the average farrier drives 322 miles per week. Maybe your total mileage for the job is higher or lower, but unless clients bring the horses to your shop, you’re spending time behind the steering wheel to get to appointments.
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    The Man with a Plan

    Hall Of Fame Farrier Billy Crothers shares how to improve your efficiency when forging horseshoes
    By Jeff Cota posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Education, Forging
    Practice makes perfect. Although it’s a glib cliché, to be sure but it serves a purpose. One cannot truly master a task without repetition. It’s certainly true for forging shoes — and golfing.
    Read More
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    Answering Clients’ Supplement Questions

    Optimal nutrition can support hoof health and make your job easier
    By Linda Braus posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Nutrition
    The modern horse’s diet is often lacking in core nutritional factors. Jessica Normand, senior director of product research and development at SmartPak, shared those concerns — and how to help address them through supplements — at the 15th annual International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.
    Read More
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    The Nitty Gritty On Compounds

    Understand the condition of your blade and what needs to be accomplished before choosing a compound
    By Jeff Cota posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Equipment, Products
    When selecting a sharpening or polishing compound, there is a broad spectrum of colors from which to choose. But what do the colors mean? In what situations should they be used? “You have to understand what you’re trying to do and recognize the condition of your blade before you can pick the right compound,” says Neal Baggett of Baggett Hoof Knives in Bishop, Ga.
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    9 Critical Propane Safety Tips

    Avoid potentially volatile situations by understanding the gas and frequent checks
    By Bob Schantz posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Forging, Safety & Healthcare
    Gas forges are commonplace in today’s farrier rigs. We use them so often that it’s easy to become complacent and operate on autopilot. A recent incident in which a farrier was seriously burned while refilling his propane tank serves as a stark safety reminder to all farriers and blacksmiths who carry a gas forge and propane tank in a vehicle.
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    From the AFJ Archives: April 2018

    July/August 1983
    By Steve Kraus posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Anatomy, Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Equipment, Forging, Shoeing
    1983 ARTICLE OVERVIEW Steve Kraus, head of Farrier Services and senior lecturer at Cornell University, originally wrote this article for the 1983 July/August issue of American Farriers Journal. As a private practice farrier in Trumansburg, N.Y., Kraus originally approached this subject with the intent to clarify the purpose of Scotch bottom shoes and share his method of creating this complicated type of shoe.
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    Is Solar Power Worth Your Investment?

    Consider the pros and cons before investing in an inverter for your rig
    By Ron Perszewski posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment
    Farriers working where electricity isn’t available need to supply their own power if they want to use their power tools. Solar-powered rigs are an option that has gained popularity, but they might not be the right choice for every farrier.
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    Research Journal: April 2018

    The information, ideas and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Department of Agriculture.
    By Albert Kane posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing
    Check Ligament Surgery For Club Feet Researchers followed up on 13 adult horses (median age of 5 years) that had been treated for flexural deformity of the coffin joint (club foot) by cutting the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (inferior check ligament desmotomy). Researchers questioned owners, conducted a lameness exam and obtaining follow-up radiographs to assess hoof conformation 1 year after the surgery.
    Read More
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    Final Say

    Apply Your Skill And Knowledge To The Foot

    By Terry Stever posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Education, Shoeing
    If you are old enough to remember, there used to be an ad in Western Horseman magazine for “Professor Beery’s Mail Order Course in Horsemanship.” This came as a set of books that would teach you how to ride a saddle horse, animal husbandry and other subjects.
    Read More
  • Featured Articles

    Featured Articles

    Open_Anvil.jpg

    The Man with a Plan

    Hall Of Fame Farrier Billy Crothers shares how to improve your efficiency when forging horseshoes
    By Jeff Cota posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Education, Forging
    Practice makes perfect. Although it’s a glib cliché, to be sure but it serves a purpose. One cannot truly master a task without repetition. It’s certainly true for forging shoes — and golfing.
    Read More
    new cover wldhoof

    Severe White Line Disease Causes Serious Problems

    Infection leads to hoof capsule destabilization and coffin bone displacement in a Western Pleasure mare
    By Lydia Mudd posted on April 7, 2018 | Posted in Clients, Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing
    White line disease (WLD) is a common hoof disorder, particularly in horses kept in moist or humid environments. While many cases are relatively minor, severe cases can develop that require the expertise of a farrier and veterinarian team.
    Read More
  • Digital Edition

    Digital Edition

  • Online Extras

    Online Extras

    Online Extras: April 2018

    April 7, 2018

    Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

    • Watch a video of Hall Of Fame farrier Roy Bloom demonstrating how to size your punch and pritchel for a specific nail.
    • Wisconsin farrier Matt Maurer demonstrates a number of tips for your hoof knife in a video from AFJTV.
    • Read all about the day American Farriers Journal spent with Hall Of Fame farrier Tom Curl for Shoeing For A Living.
    • If you exchange your propane tank for your rig or barbecue grill, you’ll want to heed this warning from police.

    Read More

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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary

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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Events

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Top Directory Listings
Life Data Labs

Life Data Labs Inc

Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
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Kawell USA

Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
Smart Pak

SmartPak

From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.
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