American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Time is money.
Sure, it’s an old cliché. Yet, it’s as true today as when it first appeared in 1719 within the pages of The Free-Thinker, a popular periodical of the day.
As a farrier, improving your efficiency could mean you have more time to fit another horse into your day. Or, you could have more time to spend with your family. Let’s take a look at a few products that your colleagues say have saved them time and energy.
If you’re looking for an edge in making farriery a bit easier, power tools are a great place to start. The most popular are hand grinders, drill presses and bench-mounted belt sanders and grinders.
Bench and belt grinders. Kyle Crawford, a certified journeyman farrier from Lawson, Mo., didn’t carry a grinder with him until about a year ago when he bought a trailer with one installed. He finds that it saves him time while making shoe modifications.
Bench grinders are a great time saver when there’s a need to add mechanics to a shoe.
More and more farriers are turning to power sanders to finish a horse’s hoof.
Invoicing software can reduce the time it takes to invoice to mere minutes.
“That’s one thing I never did before I had a grinder, putting heel checks in my keg shoes,” he says. “I forged them when I made shoes.”
The grinder is particularly helpful when adding mechanics.
“I put a rolled toe on most every horse I…