NEWS AND NOTES

Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center's Glenn Hause (left) and Bob Smith at the 2009 International Hoof-Care Summit.

In 2008, the Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center and American Farriers Journal established the Summit Achievement Award to acknowledge the dedication and volunteer efforts of hoof-care professionals. This annual award recognizes an outstanding footcare professional who volunteers his or her hoof-care knowledge, services and time to the equine community.

The first recipient of this award is Bob Smith. He was presented with the award on Feb. 4, 2009, at the International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio. Smith is the owner and operator of the Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif. For nearly 35 years, Bob has worked closely in providing needed hoof-care at no expense to a number of equine groups. As an example, the Grace Foundation fosters a large number of abused and neglected horses taken in by Northern California animal control agencies. This group rehabilitates horses for adoption, for use in equine-assisted therapy programs with at-risk youths and children with disabilities and also for use in educational programs at local schools. Although the Grace Foundation has provided care for these horses for many years, finding a farrier that could provide a wide variety of hoof care for more than 100 horses that often suffer from severe hoof conditions had proven difficult.  That is until Smith stepped forward and dedicated himself, his staff and students to the foundation for a full day each week at no charge.  Through Smith’s volunteer services, the foundation is able to maintain an extremely high standard of hoof care for horses at essentially no cost. Besides caring for the horses, he has been able to provide his eager farrier students with experiences in dealing with normal, difficult and unique hoof conditions.  Michael Russell, the veterinarian for the Grace Foundation, believes Smith leads his students by example. “The cooperative environment that Bob creates when working with me is a great model for his students that vets and farriers need to be on the same team, sharing our experiences and expertise, which will further enhance the future of quality hoof care for equines,” says Russell.  Smith has also handled the trimming and shoeing work for several groups that serve handicapped children and the Riding Designed for Education program. For more than a dozen years, Bob shod an average of 16 horses every 8 weeks free of charge for this group. He has also conducted footcare lectures with the North American Riding for the Handicapped program and has also presented lectures on equine neglect and abuse for animal control officers. “I’m truly humbled by this award,” says Smith. “We, as farriers, have a privileged life, something that most people in the country don’t have.” Smith received a plaque and a check for $2,000. The Grace Foundation will also receive a recognition plaque. There were 21 nominations for this award. Nominees for next year’s award are being accepted. To nominate a hoof-care professional, follow the instructions at www.americanfarriers.com/ff/giving back. The deadline to nominate someone is Nov. 1, 2009.

Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center's Glenn Hause (left) and Bob Smith at the 2009 International Hoof-Care Summit.

February 19, 2010

In 2008, the Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center and American Farriers Journalestablished the Summit Achievement Award to acknowledge the dedication and volunteer efforts of hoof-care professionals. This annual award recognizes an outstanding footcare professional who volunteers his or her hoof-care knowledge, services and time to the equine community.

The first recipient of this award is Bob Smith. He was presented with the award on Feb. 4, 2009, at the International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Smith is the owner and operator of the Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif. For nearly 35 years, Bob has worked closely in providing needed hoof-care at no expense to a number of equine groups.

As an example, the Grace Foundation fosters a large number of abused and neglected horses taken in by Northern California animal control agencies. This group rehabilitates horses for adoption, for use in equine-assisted therapy programs with at-risk youths and children with disabilities and also for use in educational programs at local schools.

Although the Grace Foundation has provided care for these horses for many years, finding a farrier that could provide a wide variety of hoof care for more than 100 horses that often suffer from severe hoof conditions had proven difficult. 

That is until Smith stepped forward and dedicated himself, his staff and students to the foundation for a full day each week at no charge. 

Through Smith’s volunteer services, the foundation is able to maintain an extremely high standard of hoof care for horses at essentially no cost. Besides caring for the horses, he has been able to provide his eager farrier students with experiences in dealing with normal, difficult and unique hoof conditions. 

Michael Russell, the veterinarian for the Grace Foundation, believes Smith leads his students by example. “The cooperative environment that Bob creates when working with me is a great model for his students that vets and farriers need to be on the same team, sharing our experiences and expertise, which will further enhance the future of quality hoof care for equines,” says Russell. 

Smith has also handled the trimming and shoeing work for several groups that serve handicapped children and the Riding Designed for Education program. For more than a dozen years, Bob shod an average of 16 horses every 8 weeks free of charge for this group. He has also conducted footcare lectures with the North American Riding for the Handicapped program and has also presented lectures on equine neglect and abuse for animal control officers.

“I’m truly humbled by this award,” says Smith. “We, as farriers, have a privileged life, something that most people in the country don’t have.”

Smith received a plaque and a check for $2,000. The Grace Foundation also received a recognition plaque.