It was a busy year at American Farriers Journal, as we highlighted industry updates, sound business advice, valuable hoof-care insights, as well as the global future of the equine industry. As we enter the new year, we wanted to share the most popular content from 2023.
Reprinted from a “Shoeing for a Living” article in the July/August 1995 issue of American Farriers Journal … featuring an afternoon spent at Graceland.
Even now, nearly 20 years after Elvis Presley’s death, the talented singer who changed music and haircuts forever is known quite simply as the King of rock ‘n roll.
Presley enjoyed a fabulous career before he died at the age of 42 on Aug. 16, 1977.
At no other time in the history of horseshoeing have farriers had more hoof-care options than they do right now. What they can’t buy, talented farriers can custom build at the forge and anvil, or create from their own ingenuity using modern materials. As a result, it is tempting to look to shoes as the be-all-end-all answer to hoof-care problems. Blanchardville, Wis., farrier Martin Roche prefers to look to the horse.
Since he was a young boy growing up in southern Pennsylvania, Kalam Blessing has had an affinity for horses. What started out as a child’s hope to score a few rides has blossomed into a career to help horses live more comfortably.
There never can be too many tools in a farrier’s shoeing box. After all, the immeasurable quantity of variables involved in equine hoof care is staggering. Why limit yourself?
Looking back, Mike Chance believes he didn’t have the typical make-up to be a successful farrier. And maybe he wouldn’t have become a horseshoer had he acknowledged that.
“It never occurred to me that I couldn’t be successful in this trade,” he says. “Maybe I was lacking in some areas, but I was determined to be a farrier.”
If you are a frequent reader of American Farriers Journal, you’ve noticed the different look with this issue when you took it from the mailbox or picked it up from the supply shop shelf. This issue is the culmination of more than 18 months of work to update American Farriers Journal.
Greg Martin, CJF, of Boerne, Texas, takes the unique approach of marketing his hoof-care practice with a Christmas parade float in Boerne and Comfort, Texas. The award-winning float boasts a variety of surprising features.
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.