Volume 5 |  September 12, 2024  | 131 Days To Go

Hosted by American Farriers Journal

Summit Countdown

January 21-24, 2025 | Kansas City, Missouri

Since the end of the Hoof-Care Summit, I have been trying to put together how I felt about this year's event. When I first left the Summit, I had all this excitement and was filled with a renewed energy and passion for hoof care. But, as the days went on, I realized this year's Summit wasn't just continuing education or seeing good friends in person. All of that was much needed after a very rough January when a work injury forced me to take time off, and being surrounded by other professionals made me feel seen and less alone.

What happened at this year’s Summit that made it feel different was I finally faced my imposter syndrome. As I sat through lectures, I realized I knew a lot of the information and had applied much of it in my work. Talking and collaborating with other professionals, I realized I had experiences and ideas to bring to the table. I finally realized I'm not crazy for only doing glue-on composites in my business. I had farriers fully respect that I only worked with glue.

I was given permission to ask questions and did not feel like I needed to know all the answers to hold the title ... Farrier. Even the top farriers in the industry don't have all the answers. We can all learn something from each other.

I walked away from the Summit letting go of the image of what I should be as a farrier. Instead, I saw the uniqueness I bring to the farrier world. There are plenty of others out there who are unique and are innovating in the industry. There are others who are ready to collaborate to change the industry in an amazing way.

So, what did I walk away with from the International Hoof-Care Summit? I walked away knowing who I am as a farrier makes me ... me. I walked away with so many connections and people I look forward to collaborating with in the future. I walked away being invited to learn metal work (even though I have no desire to use metal in my business, they asked me to come play and hang out). This alone allowed me to feel seen and not feel isolated in this industry. If you're feeling isolated or not enough, know there are so many farriers out there who are willing to help you and collaborate to make you the best farrier you can be.

Looking forward to what the 2025 International Hoof-Care Summit has to offer.

Augusta Mae Wott
Owner/Farrier
AMW Equine Services, LLC
Fremont, Ohio.

The external appearance of the equine hoof offers farriers and veterinarians indications of what is transpiring with the internal structures. In this VIP Hands-On Dissection Wet Lab, Paige Poss of Tucson, Ariz., leads a lively and informative discussion in which attendees inspect cadaver limbs before, during and after dissection. Admission is $169. Add your name to the wait list when you register.

Understanding anatomy is the foundation of farriery. International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer Mitch Taylor of the Kentucky Horseshoeing School presents a special, extended equine limb dissection featuring an interactive discussion of vital structures to improve your understanding of quality hoof care. Admission is $99. Attendance limited to the first 100 registrants.

University of California-Davis farrier Shane
Westman leads an exclusive hands-on wet lab to apply a novel sole-hoof wall immobilization technique for stabilizing P3 fractures. The technique was published in 2024 by Veterinary Surgery and provides a new tool for your footcare arsenal. Admission is $199. Attendance limited to the first 15 registrants.

Objective gait analysis has significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of lameness evaluation. Specific motion patterns of the vertical head and pelvis movement are described and correlated to front or hind-limb lameness. Still, there are few insights into how posture and pain induced lameness affect the motion pattern of the distal limb.

Dr. Jenny Hagen of Leipzig University explains how lameness influences timing parameters of the stance phase and the movement of the limb in the swing phase.

You’ll Learn: Why it’s important not just to evaluate the movement of the proximal locomotor system, but also the function of the distal limb in lame horses — the basis for appropriate orthopedic therapy and case monitoring.

Visit the American Farriers Journal Trade Show booth at 11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday where British farrier Simon Curtis will hold 2 exclusive book-signings. All paid Summit attendees are also eligible to win a drawing for a 4-book set personally autographed by the International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer.

Pieh Tool Co. has produced a limited edition run of 51 anvils modeled after the late Bill Pieh’s classic design that was introduced over 40 years ago — and you have the chance to win one!

Register by Nov. 1, 2024, and you’re automatically entered into a drawing for a chance to win “The Billy,” a limited edition 145-pound anvil honoring the legacy of Pieh and his commitment to the craft.

Register for the early bird rate of just $459 by calling (866) 839-8455 or (262) 432-0388 or click the register button below. Early Bird pricing is good through 9/30/24.