September/October 2019

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

Subscribe Now

Table Of Contents

Table Of Contents

Frankly Speaking: A New Way of Thinking Good Enough

September 6, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices

I’ve never heard a farrier look at the horse after working with it and say, “Good enough.” Maybe some have thought it, but never said it aloud. To me, “good enough” means somewhere between the lowest threshold of acceptable, but never attaining perfection.
Read More

Briefings: September/October 2019

September 6, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Education, Diseases, Lamenesses, Safety & Healthcare

Canada Recalls Anti-Fungal Products A popular antiseptic dye that’s used in the treatment of equine fungal infections was pulled from the Canadian marketplace over fears of increased cancer risk. Health Canada has recalled all products — including equine thrush treatments — that contain gentian violet from the Canadian marketplace.
Read More

What's This? A Truly ‘Gripping’ Find

September 6, 2019 | Posted in Education, Equipment

According to Steve Kraus, Cornell University’s head of farrier services and senior lecturer, the shoe depicted was typically used on light draft horses for traction on ice about 100 years ago.
Read More

Book Review

Laminitis, Founder & Equine Digital Osteoarthritis

By K.C. La Pierre

By Bob Smith posted on September 7, 2019 | Posted in Education, Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

K.C. La Pierre is no stranger to controversy in the hoof-care industry. With his latest book “Laminitis, Founder & Equine Digital Osteoarthritis,” La Pierre maintains that the traditional research on laminitis and founder have produced few treatment protocols because the model used in this research states that the coffin bone is suspended in the hoof by the laminae.
Read More

Reader Commentary: September/October 2019

September 7, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Safety & Healthcare

A Note of Caution About Velagliflozin I saw an article online from American Farriers Journal, “Study Finds Velagliflozin Effective for Reducing Insulin Levels in Ponies,” about the human drug Velagliflozin and an experiment on horses in Australia.
Read More

Defining and Fixing a Horse’s Club Foot

Hall of Fame farrier Simon Curtis maps how the industry can eradicate the equine club foot

By Ron Perszewski posted on September 7, 2019 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

Acclaimed farrier Simon Curtis wants everyone to know that a club foot is not the same thing as an upright foot. Making the distinction is the first step toward resolving a club foot, he says.
Read More

Farrier Q&A

What advice has been most helpful when you first encounter a club foot?

By Kristen Kubisiak posted on September 8, 2019 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

A: Ask yourself: Why is the foot clubbed? Shorter leg? Wearing problem from pawing? Conformational? Is the so-called clubbed hoof really clubbed or is the other hoof low-angled or under run? Is there a tendon issue?
Read More

Shoeing For A Living

Training the Next Generation of West Texas Farriers

Blane Chapman and his brothers emphasize education and fundamentals in their hoof-care practices

By Jeff Cota posted on September 8, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

When shoeing in Lubbock, Texas, there’s a good chance that the farrier is working on a Quarter Horse. It’s also a good bet that the farrier is either a Chapman or someone who has worked for a Chapman.
Read More

Reiner Farriers Focus on More Than the Slide

Texas farrier offers insight into keeping these equine athletes going

By Jeff Cota posted on September 8, 2019 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds

The slide is the most recognized maneuver in reining, yet there’s much more to the sport than making dirt fly. Keeping that in mind, the farrier must shoe the reiner for all of the maneuvers, all the while playing a pivotal role in keeping the reiner in the show ring.
Read More

Increased Knowledge of the Equine Anatomy Can Help Farriers Improve Hoof Care

The choices farriers make in trimming and shoeing should take into account bones, tendons and other internal structures of the limbs

By Kristen Kubisiak posted on September 9, 2019 | Posted in Anatomy, Education

The choices farriers make when trimming and shoeing to achieve a certain result are going to have an impact on the entire equine limb and, at times, may result in unintended consequences. Understanding the anatomy of the equine limb beyond the hoof can help reduce the chances of a farrier’s action having an adverse reaction elsewhere. It can also improve the quality of communication among equine colleagues.
Read More

Farriers are Key for Laminitis Early Detection

University of Pennsylvania veterinarian James Orsini offers laminitis early detection and management tips

By Kristen Kubisiak posted on September 9, 2019 | Posted in Lamenesses

Laminitis is one of the most dreaded equine diseases. Many horses affected by it eventually develop severe or chronic lameness. Dr. James Orsini, former director of the Laminitis Institute at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center, is well-acquainted with the disease.
Read More

Products In Action

Products in Action, September/October 2019: Anvil Brand

September 9, 2019

Anvil Brand Products in Action, September/October 2019
Read More

How to Convert a Router to a Pad Cutter

This step-by-step process shows h a woodworking router to trim pads.

By Jeremy McGovern posted on September 10, 2019 | Posted in Equipment, Therapeutic Shoeing

Ever since the flip flop made its way from Europe 30 years ago, Versailles, Ky., farrier Steve Stanley has found it to be useful for horses under the right circumstances. He commonly uses flip flops as temporary solutions when managing harness horses that suffer from joint and knee pain.
Read More

Simple Strategies to Extend Your Tool Life

Proper maintenance can save farriers time and money on equipment

By Kristen Kubisiak posted on September 10, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

The farrier’s toolbox is critical to his or her livelihood. Quality tools should be built to last, but there are some things that farriers can do to extend — or shorten — the life of their tools. Dan Bradley, International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member and a representative for GE Forge and Tool of Grover Beach, Calif., offered common-sense tips that he has found helpful with farriers gathered for a clinic and grand opening of Ocala’s Farrier Supply in Florida.
Read More

UC Davis Treats White Line Disease with Surgical Laser

Innovative approach eliminates previously undetectable pockets of bacteria and fungus

By Allison Armstrong Rehnborg posted on September 10, 2019 | Posted in Diseases, Lamenesses

From diagnosis to management, white line disease presents a multitude of challenges for the farrier, the veterinarian and the horse owner. An umbrella term for infections that attack the innermost layers of the hoof, white line disease often has multiple pathologies, which can make it difficult to treat successfully.
Read More

Understanding Ligaments and Tendons in Horses

In this first in a series, Dr. Deb Bennett discusses the scope of her anatomy lessons and misconceptions she finds with ligaments and tendons.

By Deb Bennett posted on September 11, 2019 | Posted in Anatomy

The specialized and fascinating anatomy and function of the reciprocating systems, which aid locomotion in horses, is crucially important for farriers. I want to begin by clearing up some confusions about anatomical terminology, as well as make clear my approach to teaching horse anatomy.
Read More

Copper Sulfate Use by Farriers Raises Safety Concerns

The common thrush treatment can be dangerous to farriers, horses and the environment

By Laura Handke posted on September 11, 2019 | Posted in Diseases, Safety & Healthcare

When providing hoof care on a regular schedule, many farriers see horses every 6 to 8 weeks and the nature of the footcare business is to provide a solution that works best for a horse within that interval. Yet, bacterial- and fungal-induced diseases such as thrush often thwart those best intentions.
Read More

Insurance Provides Farriers Stability When the Unexpected Happens

Alleviate the financial burden of a potentially bankrupting event

By Katie Navarra posted on September 11, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices

Jimmy Petty had the reputation of being able to shoe any horse brought to him. He shod 7 days a week, for 12-14 hours a day and was proud of the status — until he got hurt. In 1997, a Quarter Horse mare flipped over on him, crushing his lower lumbar.
Read More

Understand Equine Diet Supplements Before Recommending Them to Hoof-Care Clients

Equine nutritionist shares his insight into what farriers should know when answering clients’ nutrition questions

By Jeff Cota posted on September 12, 2019 | Posted in Nutrition

The chances are high that a hoof-care client has asked your opinion about a hoof supplement at one time or another. But are you recommending a product that is high in quality and meets the needs of the horse?
Read More

Strategies for Working with Difficult Horses

Get in tune with horses by understanding their perspective

By Heather Smith Thomas posted on September 12, 2019 | Posted in Clients, Safety & Healthcare

Farriers often have to work with less than cooperative horses, and sometimes it’s a challenge to assess why a horse is acting the way it is and figure out how to resolve a certain issue. The reward outweighs the effort, though, because many problem horses can then be approached or addressed a little differently — and successfully — without causing future issues.
Read More

Test Your Skill Mail-In Forging Exercise

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

September 12, 2019 | Posted in Forging

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 sidebone shoe to enter this free contest. IHCS attendees can save on the postage and drop off their shoe at the Summit.
Read More

Shop Talk: September/October 2019

September 13, 2019 | Posted in Education, Lamenesses, Products

Zoetis Inc. announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Platinum Performance, a privately held, nutrition-focused animal health company. Platinum’s flagship equine products include Platinum Performance Equine, a comprehensive wellness and performance formula, and Platinum Performance CJ, which delivers wellness and performance with the addition of joint support ingredients.
Read More

Research Journal: September/October 2019

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 September 13, 2019 | Posted in Education, Lamenesses, Products

Examination of a series of lameness cases in Texas revealed insights into why owners of 200 cutting horses sought treatment at the Texas A&M Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Two hundred cutting horses were presented for evaluation with poor performance being the more common complaint (58%) compared with lameness (42%). All of the horses were lame in at least one limb and 81/200 were lame in multiple limbs.
Read More

Final Say

Having My Truck and Trailer Stolen Was the Best Thing for My Career

By Jason RoTramel posted on September 13, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Products

Earlier in my life, I tried different ways to have a profession that involved horses. I realized I wanted to make my living under horses rather than on them. From 1994 to 2007, I was on-and-off shoeing full-time or part-time. For some time, I worked second shift and still handle more than 200 head of horses.
Read More
Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Defining and Fixing a Horse’s Club Foot

Hall of Fame farrier Simon Curtis maps how the industry can eradicate the equine club foot

By Ron Perszewski posted on September 7, 2019 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

Acclaimed farrier Simon Curtis wants everyone to know that a club foot is not the same thing as an upright foot. Making the distinction is the first step toward resolving a club foot, he says.
Read More

Shoeing For A Living

Training the Next Generation of West Texas Farriers

Blane Chapman and his brothers emphasize education and fundamentals in their hoof-care practices

By Jeff Cota posted on September 8, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

When shoeing in Lubbock, Texas, there’s a good chance that the farrier is working on a Quarter Horse. It’s also a good bet that the farrier is either a Chapman or someone who has worked for a Chapman.
Read More

Reiner Farriers Focus on More Than the Slide

Texas farrier offers insight into keeping these equine athletes going

By Jeff Cota posted on September 8, 2019 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds

The slide is the most recognized maneuver in reining, yet there’s much more to the sport than making dirt fly. Keeping that in mind, the farrier must shoe the reiner for all of the maneuvers, all the while playing a pivotal role in keeping the reiner in the show ring.
Read More
Digital Edition

Digital Edition

For Digital Subscribers: Login To Your Digital Flipbook Of The September/October 2019

September 7, 2019

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.
Read More
Online Extras
Online Extras
Online Extras: September/October 2019

September 6, 2019

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

Slick Tips for Sliding Plates Texas farrier Chad Chance offers advice on how to help reining horses earn those all-important extra fractions of a point.

From the Shop Versailles, Ky., farrier Steve Stanley shows changes he made to his shop at the legendary Red Mile to make his workflow easier.

Managing Laminitis Dr. James Orsini, former director of the Laminitis Institute, presents practical approaches to dealing with laminitis in an Online Hoof-Care Classroom webinar.

Take the Sidebone Shoe Challenge Craig Trnka offers step-by-step instructions on how to make a sidebone shoe, the mail-in challenge for the 2020 International Hoof-Care Summit.

Read More