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.

International Equine Veterinarian Hall of Famer James Orsini, DVM, 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 farriery and equine health as we know it today?

A. The advent of the glue-on shoe created and developed by Rob Sigafoos. Rob took the basic idea and worked through the various iterations so that glue-on shoes became the mainstay for every discipline for horse competition and allowed managing the diseased foot with a system that improved equine health. Before glue-on shoe technologies, treating the diseased foot, especially laminitis, was limited and often failed because of the inability adequately manage stress and strain on the digit.

Farriers became an integral part of academic veterinary medicine with full-time positions at most colleges and schools of veterinary medicine in the United States and abroad.

Technologies for gait analysis and the impact of different types of shoes have on movement and performance. Additionally, these technologies have benefited the foal with developmental orthopedic diseases so that treatment is started sooner minimizing the need for surgery.

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 biggest difference is that now farriers are an important component of the health care team. Farriers, besides providing clinical service, are also involved in equine research furthering our understanding of the equine athlete’s foot and ways to improve the health of the foot and the performance of the competitive horse. Additionally, with good hoof care throughout the life of the horse, farriers and veterinarians have improved the quality of life for the retired equine athlete and pleasure horse.

Q. What are some specific ways that American Farriers Journal magazine impacted your business and staff?

A. Although I do not have any specific examples of ways American Farriers Journal directly impacted by career, I recognize that it has be a continual, respected resource for farriers and veterinarians.