Seven horse owners are suing the Blount County, Tenn., Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BCSPCA) for $2.1 million. They claim their horses missed an entire show season in which the animals would have been able to win prize money.

At the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, farrier Doug Anderson answers the question, "How thin is the line between being effective and being too aggressive?"

At the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, farrier Doug Anderson talks about his challenges with Hunters and Jumpers.

At the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, farrier Doug Anderson discusses the challenges he faces in springtime shoeing.

Trainer Todd Pletcher appears to have a formidable hand going into this year's Kentucky Derby. Or should we say foot?? If Pletcher wins his second Derby in four years, the man who takes care of his horse's feet will be one of the first people he thanks. Like everyone has said for years, no hoof, no horse, or no foot, no horse. That's really true at the end of the day, said Pletcher. I don't think you can even calculate how important having a good blacksmith is. By all accounts, Pletcher's blacksmith, Ray Amato Sr., is one of the best in the business. And you'd be hard-pressed to find a backstretch worker who relishes going to work more than Amato, even though he's been doing the same thing for 65 years.

There are several steps Texas farrier Chad Chance goes through when evaluating a horse prior to sliding plate selection.

AFJ Hiring Associate Editor