May/June 2020

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: An Annual Tradition to Honor Your Mentors

By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 8, 2020

Twenty-two years ago, American Farriers Journal launched Farriers Week for the equine industry to recognize farriers for their dedicated commitment to delivering hoof care to the horses. This year’s Farriers Week runs July 5-July 11. From this small beginning, it has grown to annual tradition for clients and equine businesses taking time to celebrate farriers.
Read More

Briefings: May/June 2020

May 8, 2020 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Equipment, Nutrition, Shoeing

South African Farrier Takes Shoeing Efficiency to a New Level Farriers seemingly are always on the lookout for strategies to improve their efficiency while trimming and shoeing horses. South African farrier Derek Poupard has found a way to change shoes in a matter of seconds, according to Thoroughbred Racing.
Read More

Shoeing During a Pandemic

Iowa farrier observes an unexpected uptick in his local business as equine enthusiasts stay home and ride

By Jeff Ridley posted on May 8, 2020 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Shoeing, Trimming

Even living in rural Iowa, our lives have certainly been affected by the recent COVID-19 outbreak, but perhaps not to the extent of areas where populations are much denser. Our schools are closed, as are many businesses; however, Iowa is not under a stay-at-home order — at least not as I write this in early April.
Read More

Farrier Business Advice During COVID-19

Farriers share business ideas to help during the Corona virus pandemic.

By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2020

Months into the COVID-19 pandemic, opinions greatly differ on the seriousness of the subject, as well as the response by the government. Regardless of your opinion on public health risks and resulting actions, it is a fact that every industry is affected by the pandemic.
Read More

Patching Hoof Wall Cracks with Composite Materials

Research puts hoof crack composites to the test

By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2020 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

Why does a footcare solution succeed with one horse, but fail with another? The answer could be simple, but usually it is complex, considering the endless list of variables affecting the outcome. The horse, its job, environment and client all have a huge influence on the success of a farrier’s work.
Read More

Why David Duckett’s Foot Balancing Method is Still Confused with Russell’s

Maryland farrier Matthew Taimuty revisits the differences 20 years after writing Duckett vs. Russell

By Jeff Cota posted on May 9, 2020

Duckett’s Dot likely is the most commonly cited reference point for farriers when determining balance of the equine foot. Yet, acceptance of David Duckett’s theory didn’t go according to plan. When Duckett presented his groundbreaking work at the 1988 American Farrier’s Association Convention, in Lexington, Ky., it was almost immediately confused with the writing of another.
Read More

How Hind End Geometry Improves Performance and Balance

Cornell University Farrier Steve Kraus explains the geometrical effects of trimming and shoeing

By Katie Navarra posted on May 10, 2020 | Posted in Anatomy

Car manufacturers know placing the power at the rear of the vehicle allows for better balance. Nearly all race cars are rear-wheel drive so that when accelerating from a stop, the vehicle’s weight transfers to the back of the car and provides increased traction.
Read More

Maryland Farrier’s Toe Length Protocol Keeps Show Horses in Top Form

Tape measure, dividers and hoof protractor help maintain proper foot parameters

By Harry Serio posted on May 10, 2020 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds, Trimming

There are three tools that, if used correctly, have the potential to not only speed up the development process, they can also confirm everything your eye is telling you, regardless of skill set.
Read More

Equine Reciprocating Systems: New Parts and Novel Attachments

Understanding the anatomical parts and novel attachments critical to reciprocating systems in the modern-day equine will lay the farrier’s groundwork for achieving soundness

By Deb Bennett posted on May 10, 2020 | Posted in Anatomy, Education

Writing this installment in our Equine Reciprocating Limb series, I could not help but hear the lyrics to Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” running through my head — especially the punch line: “The pump don’t work ’cause the vandals took the handles.” That very aptly sums up one of my main points: if anatomical parts aren’t connected, reciprocation does not happen.
Read More

Through surveying three cases, Dr. Scott Morrison discusses his approach and shares footcare tips

Veterinarian and farrier Scott Morrison of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital gives tips with challenging cases

May 11, 2020 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

Every farrier faces complicated cases. Dr. Scott Morrison certainly has throughout his career. Based at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., his work comprises mainly Thoroughbred athletes, stallions, broodmares and foals.
Read More

Farriers Can Add Value to their Practice with Adhesive Applications

Acrylic, urethane and polyurethane are among the options available to enhance a hoof-care business

May 11, 2020

Acrylic and urethane adhesives can offer farriers more shoeing options, the ability to provide better services to clients and ultimately an opportunity to increase business profitability. Despite these potential benefits, many farriers still shy away from reactive adhesives due to confusion about which product to use and when.
Read More

How Does Your Farrier Business Measure Up?

2020 International Hoof-Care Summit Surveys reveal practices of attendees

May 11, 2020 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education, Shoeing, Products

At each year’s International Hoof-Care Summit, attendees are asked to fill out surveys to help American Farriers Journal staff learn more about farrier wants and needs.
Read More

Shop Talk: May/June 2020

May 12, 2020 | Posted in Education

One year after Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s advanced farrier-training program was put on the budgetary chopping block, a revamped curriculum has been given the green light by the institution’s senate.
Read More

Research Journal: May/June 2020

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 May 12, 2020 | Posted in Education, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

Led by a scientist at Michigan State University, a team of researchers evaluated the effects of a dietary supplement containing resveratrol and the amino acid leucine on insulin dysregulation in horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Fifteen horses with naturally occurring EMS were treated for 6 weeks with weight, body condition and several metabolic factors, including insulin levels, measured following an oral sugar test both before and after treatment with the supplement.
Read More
Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Shoeing During a Pandemic

Iowa farrier observes an unexpected uptick in his local business as equine enthusiasts stay home and ride

By Jeff Ridley posted on May 8, 2020 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Shoeing, Trimming

Even living in rural Iowa, our lives have certainly been affected by the recent COVID-19 outbreak, but perhaps not to the extent of areas where populations are much denser. Our schools are closed, as are many businesses; however, Iowa is not under a stay-at-home order — at least not as I write this in early April.
Read More

Patching Hoof Wall Cracks with Composite Materials

Research puts hoof crack composites to the test

By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2020 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

Why does a footcare solution succeed with one horse, but fail with another? The answer could be simple, but usually it is complex, considering the endless list of variables affecting the outcome. The horse, its job, environment and client all have a huge influence on the success of a farrier’s work.
Read More

Equine Reciprocating Systems: New Parts and Novel Attachments

Understanding the anatomical parts and novel attachments critical to reciprocating systems in the modern-day equine will lay the farrier’s groundwork for achieving soundness

By Deb Bennett posted on May 10, 2020 | Posted in Anatomy, Education

Writing this installment in our Equine Reciprocating Limb series, I could not help but hear the lyrics to Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” running through my head — especially the punch line: “The pump don’t work ’cause the vandals took the handles.” That very aptly sums up one of my main points: if anatomical parts aren’t connected, reciprocation does not happen.
Read More
Digital Edition

Digital Edition

For Digital Subscribers: Login To Your Digital Flipbook Of The May/June 2020 Issue

May 8, 2020

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: May/June 2020

May 11, 2020

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

Shoeing for a Living – Read Jeff Ridley’s original “Shoeing for a Living” article from July 2003 and watch how he treats a vulsions in a webinar.

Equine Reciprocating Systems — Review any of the seven installments of Dr. Deb Bennett’s series online to improve your understanding of anatomy.

A Conversation with Travis Burns — Travis Burns talks about his work at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and his path to becoming a farrier.

“Duckett vs. Russell” – Maryland farrier Matthew Taimuty details the differences between the methods used by David Duckett and William Russell in this 1999 article.

Read More