Thoroughbred horses have notoriously thin hoof walls and preserving them is a significant challenge for farriers who are both on and off the racetrack. In this session, sponsored by the Victory Racing Plate Co., Shelbyville, Ky., farrier Pat Broadus will discuss his approach for improving the hoof wall of horses that work on and off the track. In addition, Broadus will discuss strategies for successfully transitioning Thoroughbreds's feet for off the track. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

Farriery is considered a super niche within the horse industry, yet there are even more within this profession, whether its discipline-specific, therapeutic shoeing, hoof crack repair, glue-on shoes, the list goes on. Where is your niche and how do you find it? Vernon, Texas, farrier Blane Chapman will explore this topic during a conversation with panelists Crown Point, Ind., farrier Tom Willoughby, Parkersburg, Pa., farrier Daisy Bicking, Marguerite Paige of Mustad Hoofcare and Jeff Cota of American Farriers Journal.

In this session, farriers discuss strategies and tactics they've uncovered for increasing their bottom lines. They will also share experiences in which ideas fell short so you can avoid these mistakes. This panel will be moderated by Rich Armentrout, a farrier with insight in being a successful entrepreneur. His business, Richard's Holistic Equine Services, focuses on therapeutic footcare.