Nearly 45 years ago, a farrier in Arcadia, Fla., saw an opportunity to improve farrier communication. He would catch the rising tide that had emerged during the previous 5 to 10 years with the creation of several strong regional associations and the American Farrier’s Association. This movement was about bringing farriers together and eliminating the isolationism that was crippling the industry.
The lack of camaraderie that we were experiencing in horseshoeing at the time in the United States was part of the impetus for me starting American Farriers Journal. In those days, there was no camaraderie between farriers. Everything was closely held.
Hoof care has undergone a multitude of changes ever since the ancients domesticated the horse and assumed its responsibility. However, the last 40 years are arguably one of the most significant periods in its growth than any other 4-decade span. This time witnessed dramatic changes in how farriers work with one another, and saw unrivaled technological advancements.
Back in March of 1975, Henry Heymering mailed out the first issue of American Farriers Journal. Both the original 8-page issue (printed in its entirety starting at right) and the farrier industry have come a long way over the past 40 years.
The September/October issue of American Farriers Journal marks the magazine’s 40th anniversary. In it, we’ll publish the original 8-page magazine that Henry Heymering ran in 1975. We also have a special section in which veteran farriers consider how the industry has changed over the previous 40 years.
While working on this 35th Anniversary issue of American Farriers Journal, I've been paging through back issues. At times I can almost feel the heat of the forges and hear the distant echo of hammer ringing on steel.
In this episode, Mark Ellis, a Wisconsin farrier who learned the ropes with Renchin, recalls Red’s relationships with area veterinarians, his legacy and the second career as American Farriers Journal’s technical editor.
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