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.

Kim Otterson of Motley, Minn., shares her thoughts on the hoof-care industry’s milestones as part of AFJ’s 50th anniversary.

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 most meaningful defining moment is the advances in imaging technology — ultrasound, digital X-rays, MRI, and all the rest. It’s hard to remember, but 50 years ago, if you found a vet with an X-ray machine (outside of a bigger referral clinic) you were happy. Then you waited for the X-rays to be developed back at the clinic and hoped they were going to be OK. If they weren’t, one more trip and a few more days to get 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. I don’t know that anything seems totally different. The people tend to be different. More horse people see them as pets than when I first started trimming feet more than 50 years ago. My experience suggests that the horses tend to have poorer manners than they did back when they weren’t pets. People expect you to treat them more gently than they once did. And, maybe, because we know more and can do more, people expect miracles more than they once did. It could be that’s just a function of the clientele I have these days. But horses are still horses.

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

A. The American Farriers Journal has been a great source of current information and new ideas. It’s been a valuable resource for learning better ways to do my job and new insights into issues. Somehow, it’s more fun to curl up with an actual magazine at the end of the day than it is to have to go look stuff up online. That’s probably just me, being old.