Just about any equine veterinarian who specializes in hoof care or farriers who do a lot of therapeutic shoeing will tell you the thing they most rely on to do their work isn’t found in a toolbox, mounted on a shoeing rig or installed in a workshop or veterinary clinic.

Three hoof-care professionals were honored at the third annual Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, held during November in Palm Beach, Fla.

Sometimes just a few golden moments make a lot of effort all seem worthwhile.