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.

Brian Rusnak of Hay Lakes, Alberta, shares his thoughts on the hoof-care milestones over the past half-century.

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. Several moments have changed our trade. The first is going from the coal forge to propane. Satellite and Diamond Bronco shoes required reworking nail holes, reshaping them and drawing clips. I had to make my own shoes. Then came Nordic Forge shoes, which had a wider web and a better nail pattern. Kerckhaert followed with fronts and hinds, left and right and pre-clipped shoes. Now, we can pretty much buy whatever a horse needs. But it’s still good to be able to build shoes if you need them.

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. Technology improvements have been game changers. This includes access to email for vets to read radiographs sent and iPhones and texting for rebooking appointments. No more telephone booths and rolls of quarters for calling clients. Now, there is GPS instead of having to rely on verbal directions by landmarks.

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

A. I joined the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) 3 years after they started, my number is 669. Bruce Daniels’ shoeing school spoke highly of the AFA, so I signed up. Access to articles in American Farriers Journal's magazine and online, including email has been helpful. I used to have to physically go to conventions for information. I can also pass on magazines to hired help apprentices. I have been a farrier for 47 years and am still actively shoeing, but I am semi-retired now. I work part-time compared with previous years.