The biggest problem confronting a farrier who’s asked to shoe a mule for the first time may very well be fear of the unknown.

If you start assessing a hoof only after picking it up, you might be missing important evidence that helps explain the condition of that foot, according to Deb Bennett. Instead, start the evaluation by watching the horse move and examining its standing posture. Watch for leaning, she says.

It’s hard to believe that extensive planning is already underway for next winter’s fifth annual International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio. It simply doesn’t seem like 5 years ago that the American Farriers Journal staff was figuring out what it was going to take to make the first Summit a big success.

Danny Ward has always believed a person with a good work ethic can do almost anything with about any tool.

Farriers have long tried — with varying degrees of success — to convince horse owners that regularly scheduled appointments for trimming and shoeing are important for equine health.