This year marks the 50th anniversary (and 32nd year at Lessiter Media) of American Farriers Journal covering the farrier trade. We’re asking hoof-care professionals for a few words to include in a “From the Audience” section of our coverage – in the December edition.

Stuart Muir, a resident farrier at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., shares his thoughts on the three questions we are asking hoof-care professionals.

Q. When you look back at the last 50 years of new technologies, what were the biggest defining moments that forever changed farrier and equine health as we know it today?

A. The art and craft of horseshoeing is a profession that is continually in a state of progression. In the last 50 years, we have seen many advancements in the hoof-care industry. Some of them are as simple as practitioners implementing the sciences of hoof care more strategically, in other capacities, digital imaging has brought forward the ability for hoof care providers to better understand each individual horses' parameters as they relate to hoof balance.  As we have progressed through the last 50 years, we have a better understanding of the hoof capsule, this allows us to better assist the horse with managing the rigors of locomotive force. As an extension of this knowledge, we have also seen advancements in shoe profiles and composition to better align with the horses' needs. As hoof-care providers, we have never been in a better position to fulfill the horses' requirements in terms of hoof care. 

Q. For the newer generation, what are the biggest ways that Farriery and equine health is totally different from that of 50 years ago?

A. The attention to detail within the equine healthcare professions has drastically changed in the last 50 years. Historically, in many rural settings, the horse was used as a form of transport. In many instances, the sciences of hoof care were not fully developed or understood. Now we are seeing the horse profiled as an athlete. Therefore, the needs of the horse and the shoeing requirements have also changed. Years ago, the process of shoeing a horse was targeted around reducing the abrasive factors of hoof wear. As we fast forward into 2024, it is not uncommon for the stride pattern of each limb to be assessed in terms of its functionality and performance. This helps us to better understand the effectiveness of the principles we are employing with the horse. We are now starting to fully understand the effect that high-quality farriery can have on the horse, and it's remarkable. 

Q. What are some specific ways that AMERICAN FARRIERS JOURNAL magazine impacted your business and staff?

A. One of the most limiting factors of the hoof-care industry is the isolation that a hoof-care provider can experience. As hoof-care providers, it's not uncommon for us to work alone. The importance of professional interaction with other colleagues is imperative to not only our personal advancement in the field of hoof care, but also to the welfare of the horse. The American Farriers Journal has supported the hoof-care industry with providing many platforms for the hoof-care industry to advance. To this point, the hoof-care industry has never had so much information available at their fingertips. The advancement of the hoof-care industry relies on peer-reviewed information making its way from one hoof-care provider to another. The American Farriers Journal has done an outstanding job of providing the hoof-care industry with a platform that transparently gives hoof-care providers access to new information. In turn, this has a direct impact on the hoof care strategies I use and my approach to business.