Although he is based in North Florida, Ty Garner’s work isn’t fully localized — he travels to follow his clients on the circuit, taking him through the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. On this “Shoeing for a Living Day,” he shows how his daily approach relies on the basics, but also thinking how best to keep horses in the show ring.

Farriery is in the Galli family blood. The family’s shoeing legacy dates back to Fondi, Italy, when blacksmith Orazio Savocchio immigrated to Millbrook, N.Y., in the early 20th century. He changed his name to Galli — another family’s name back in Fondi — because the longer name was difficult for non-Italians to spell or pronounce. His son Louis continued into the trade, later passing the torch to his son Paul. Fourth-generation farrier Justin Galli carries on the family tradition, following his father into the trade about 25 years ago.

When Frank Lessiter wrote the first “Shoeing for a Living” in 1992, American Farriers Journal launched what became its most popular feature series. Over the 28 years since its debut, the focus of each of the articles clearly mirrors Hall of Fame farrier Henry Heymering’s goals when he published the first 8-page issue of the magazine 45 years ago — bringing farriers together and eliminating isolationism.

A multi-farrier practice was not on Jason Critton’s radar 10 years ago when he was thumbing through the pages of the May/June issue of American Farriers Journal. In fact, it was a foreign concept.

There are few places in the United States where a modern community has no use for motorized vehicles. One such place can be found on Mackinac Island, just south of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in Lake Huron. The island, which is 3.8 square miles, outlawed horseless carriages in 1898, leaving three modes of transportation — walking, bicycling and horses.

When shoeing in Lubbock, Texas, there’s a good chance that the farrier is working on a Quarter Horse. It’s also a good bet that the farrier is either a Chapman or someone who has worked for a Chapman.

John Favicchia inherited a love of horses from his father, also named John. So passionate about horses, the elder Favicchia moved out of the city and bought a rundown farm in North Salem, N.Y., refurbishing it over several years.

Conrad Trow’s farrier practice is based in Oldham County, northwest of Louisville, Ky. When people talk about horses in the Bluegrass State, Lexington may often receive the attention, but Trow says that Oldham County is a hidden gem for the farriers that work there. Why? There are plenty of quality horses in a concentrated area.

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?