American Farriers Journal concludes its 45th anniversary celebration. Visit AmericanFarriers.com/1220 to read reflections on past articles and pivotal hoof-care industry milestones.

Communication and interaction among farriers were foreign concepts when Henry Heymering mailed the first issue of American Farriers Journal in March 1975, which follows in the ensuing pages.

Many long-time farriers from the period remember watching colleagues stopping their work mid-horse and, at times, packing up their tools for fear that techniques gleaned during the encounter would tip the competitive balance.

The culture inspired Heymering, a Hall of Fame shoer, to create American Farriers Journal in hopes of breaking down those communication barriers and improve continuing education.

In the 45 years since AFJ’s inception, a sea change has occurred within the industry. Mistrust has been replaced with collaboration. Concealment has become transparency. Silence has been supplanted with the sharing of ideas and knowledge.

Remarkable Change

Educational opportunities have never been more plentiful and accessible for most farriers. A multitude of local farrier clinics take place each weekend. Shop nights are held across the United States. And hoof-care conferences enable farriers access to the latest information while providing a venue to share their own experiences. The internet has opened new avenues for improved education through social media, digital magazines, webinars, podcasts and virtual conferences.

As the only magazine that has been part of the hoof-care industry for 45 years, American Farriers Journal is proud to have played a part in the advances of equine footcare. We look forward to continuing…