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American Farriers Journal

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July/August 2015

Volume: 41

Edition: 5

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: Veterinary Education Group Discredits Farriers

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

I have yet to meet a member of either the farrier and veterinary trades who believes it isn’t beneficial to maintain good relationships with members of the other profession. So if a good working relationship is generally agreed upon, why does the perception of a need for improvement exist?
Read More

Shoeing for a Living

No-Frills Footcare In North Georgia

Commitment to getting feet to a “solid” state is the cornerstone of Doug Workman’s farrier practice

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Shoeing

In the world of horseshoeing, Doug Workman is well respected as an American Farrier’s Association certified journeyman farrier and tester, a board of trustees member for the American Association of Professional Farriers and a sought-after clinician.

Read More

How to Convince Clients that their Rehab Role is Vital

Tips to get owners to stick to the plan while their horse is recovering from injury

By Heather Smith Thomas posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Clients, Diseases, Lamenesses

The farrier, often with the help of a veterinarian, has treated a hoof problem and now it’s up to the horse owner to follow instructions for care during the rehabilitation. Sometimes it can be challenging to persuade the owner to be an active member of the team.

Read More

Taking a Crack at Hoof Wall Defects

How failures occur and the best techniques for farriers to help them heal

By Red Renchin posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Forging, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

To say that the equine hoof wall is an amazing structure is a gross understatement. It must withstand a multitude of destructive forces from the environment — both man made and natural — and extreme concussive forces trying to tear it apart. Given these circumstances, it’s no wonder that failures occur.
Read More

Thoughts on Managing Hoof Capsule Distortion

Bob Pethick provides usable insights on distortion and considerations when addressing these concerns as a farrier

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Education, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing

Bob Pethick likes to kick off his lectures by showing an Ontrack Equine slow-motion, close-up video of hooves in action. The Califon, N.J., farrier treated the attendees at a University of Tennessee Equine Podiatry Conference to this thought-provoking movie.
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Concussion and the Equine Foot

Examining the multitude of factors influencing the interaction of the hoof and the ground

By Christy Corp-Minamiji DMV posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

As far back as ancient Greece, horsemen have recognized the importance of the hoof, and the influence of the hoof-ground interface (on the way of going of the horse). Lacking the wings of Pegasos, real horses are subject to the shock of impact with the ground passing through their hooves and lower limbs.

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Infrared Thermography: Fun Toy or Practical Tool?

Two case studies show how smartphone infrared cameras could be used by farriers

By Nicholas B Denson posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment, Therapeutic Shoeing

Is there a practical use for thermal imagery within a farrier practice? That point can be debated. However, with access to technology and the increasing affordability of said technology, it certainly is a possibility now on smartphones.

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Buying, Using And Caring For Your Nippers

Reliable tips for selecting, using and maintaining one of your most important tools

July 3, 2015 | Posted in Education, Equipment, Trimming

When William Russell published “Scientific Horseshoeing” around the turn of the 20th century, there was nary a mention of nippers.

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Farrier Q&A: How does the footing that a horse will compete on change your choice of shoes, excluding calks?

July 3, 2015 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds, Shoeing

All our horses go barefoot through breaking. Once they reach the racetrack, we fit them with square-toed aluminum shoes.
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News & Notes

American Pharoah’s Farrier Savors Triple Crown Victory

By Jeff Cota posted on June 8, 2015 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

As the field of horses made their way to the starting gate for the running of the 2015 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., Wes Champagne decided to take a break from doing what he does best — shoeing a horse.
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Forging Tips from the Heartland

Gregory family celebrates the 20th anniversary of the school’s opening

By Jeff Cota posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Education, Forging, Shoeing

In the spring of 1995, Chris and Kelly Gregory took a chance.

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Experiences Help Veterans Rise to the Top

Military attributes provide a framework for success in farriery

By Drew Morales posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

About half of 1%. According to the Department of Defense, that’s approximately the number of Americans who served in the military over the previous decade. However, anecdotally, it appears to me that the percentage is much higher among farriers.
Read More

Supporting the Ledge

Thoughts on how the “ledge” provided by the solar perimeter is compromised, and suggestions on addressing this

By John Stewart posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Diseases, Therapeutic Shoeing

In my previous article (May/June 2014), I described how the perimeter of the sole has greater rigidity because of its attachment to the hoof wall, and provides a “ledge” for the solar border of P3 to rest on (Figure 1).
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Research Journal: July/August 2015

July 3, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Diseases

A 10-year study in the United Kingdom investigated the relationships between clinical signs, response to nerve blocks, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for horses diagnosed with navicular disease. The 4,618 horses examined were presented with a complaint of forelimb lameness and received a typical clinical workup prior to MRI.
Read More

Shop Talk: AAPF/CAPF Announces Roy Bloom Scholarship Program

July 3, 2015

The American and Canadian Associations of Professional Farriers (AAPF/CAPF) have introduced a new Roy Bloom Scholarship program.

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Spotlight on Hoof-Care: Education First: It’s Not Just About Winning

Interactive clinics and competition contribute to the Northern California Classic’s 30-year tradition of continuing education

By Jaime Elftman posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Education, Trimming

An American Farrier’s Association (AFA) certification exam and 3 days of lectures and competition marked the 30th anniversary of the Northern California Classic, the Western States Farriers Association’s (WSFA) longest running event. With a tradition of providing certification, continuing education and competition to farriers in the western United States, Shelee Lyon, secretary of the WSFA and co-organizer of the event, of Ramona, Calif., says, “We like to treat the event like a mini convention and we try to gear it more toward education than just competition.”

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Briefings

July 3, 2015 | Posted in Forging, Safety & Healthcare

Many farriers travel with their dogs and allow them to roam the barn while shoeing horses. How does this affect liability coverage? Through Markel’s liability policy, farriers can bring their dog in the rig and allow them to enter the barn while the farrier works. However, if that dog causes any incident resulting in a claim, the farrier’s liability coverage is voided for that case.
Read More
Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Frankly Speaking: Veterinary Education Group Discredits Farriers

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

I have yet to meet a member of either the farrier and veterinary trades who believes it isn’t beneficial to maintain good relationships with members of the other profession. So if a good working relationship is generally agreed upon, why does the perception of a need for improvement exist?
Read More

Taking a Crack at Hoof Wall Defects

How failures occur and the best techniques for farriers to help them heal

By Red Renchin posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Forging, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

To say that the equine hoof wall is an amazing structure is a gross understatement. It must withstand a multitude of destructive forces from the environment — both man made and natural — and extreme concussive forces trying to tear it apart. Given these circumstances, it’s no wonder that failures occur.
Read More

Shoeing for a Living

No-Frills Footcare In North Georgia

Commitment to getting feet to a “solid” state is the cornerstone of Doug Workman’s farrier practice

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 3, 2015 | Posted in Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Shoeing

In the world of horseshoeing, Doug Workman is well respected as an American Farrier’s Association certified journeyman farrier and tester, a board of trustees member for the American Association of Professional Farriers and a sought-after clinician.

Read More
Digital Edition

Digital Edition

For Digital Subscribers: Login To Your Digital Flipbook Of The July/August 2015 Issue

July 6, 2015

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: July/August 2015 Issue

July 6, 2015

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

Doug Workman's tips for safe and effective use of grinders

Videos detailing Curtis Burns' crack repair techniques

Hall Of Fame farrier Donald Jones' tips for extending the life of your nippers

John Stewarts 2014 article "The Ledge"

Veterans explain how skills they gained in the military have benefited their farrier practice

Advice for dealing with impatient clients and improving their role in the rehab process

In honor of the 2015 National Farriers Week, we have compiled our 4th annual Farriers Spotlight

Read More
Web-Exclusive Feature

Proper Filing Extends The Life Of Nippers

December 1, 2003 | Posted in Equipment

That trusty pair of nippers you depend on so often will gradually dull with use, until one day you realize that you’re having a tougher time trimming the hoof wall than you should. It’s best to sharpen those nippers before that day arrives.
Read More

The Ledge — Supporting P3

A laminitic case led equine veterinarian John Stewart to rethink the importance of solar support to P3

By John Stewart posted on May 1, 2014 | Posted in Lamenesses

There seems to be some disagreement among hoof-care professionals as to the extent of the sole's role in weight bearing. The suggestion that the laminar attachment of P3, with transference of the horse's weight to the hoof wall, is not its major means of support is as absurd as suggesting the sole should take no part in weight bearing.
Read More

Web-Exclusive Feature

More Thoughts from Military Veterans

Farriers who served in the military share attributes they developed while in the armed forces contribute to their farrier practice.

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 6, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Farriers who served in the military share attributes they developed while in the armed forces contribute to their farrier practice.
Read More

Web-Exclusive Feature

Selling The Rehab Plan

By Heather Smith Thomas posted on July 6, 2015 | Posted in Clients

Sometimes you need to look at the rehab plan from a different perspective.
Read More

Web-Exclusive Feature

Tips To Help Your Clients Remember Important Rehab Tasks

By Heather Smith Thomas posted on July 6, 2015 | Posted in Clients

Sometimes it helps for farriers to use word images or other ways to help the client remember important things during the rehabilitation process.
Read More

Web-Exclusive Feature

Dealing With The Impatient Client

By Heather Smith Thomas posted on July 6, 2015 | Posted in Clients

While some clients aren’t capable of performing the necessary rehabilitation tasks, others want to finish the rehab early.
Read More

Web-Exclusive Feature

2015 National Farriers Week: Farriers Spotlight

By Michelle Drewek posted on July 5, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

In honor of the 17th annual National Farriers Week celebration (July 5-11, 2015) we've collected these tributes from members of the equine community to recognize all of the hard work and dedication farriers put forth to keep our horses sound.
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Current Issue

American Farriers Journal

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

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Current Issue

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Special Report For Equine Veterinarians

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

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Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

Hoof Care on Parade

Greg Martin, CJF, of Boerne, Texas, takes the unique approach of marketing his hoof-care practice with a Christmas parade float in Boerne and Comfort, Texas. The award-winning float boasts a variety of surprising features.

Events

Michigan Horseshoers Association 55th Annual Clinic

Date: 01/02/25

Location: Lansing, MI

The Michigan Horseshoers Association will host its 55th annual clinic Jan. 2-4, 2025 in East Lansing, Mich.

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Top Directory Listings

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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.

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.

American Farriers Journal

July/August 2015

Table Of Contents

Featured Articles

Digital Edition

Online Extras

THIS MONTH'S DIGITAL SPONSORS:

Top Articles

Current Issue

Current Issue

Must Read Free Eguides

Videos

Events