Contributions Do you have a shoe or tool you would like to share or want more information about? Submit a photo of the item, as well as its history and how it was used to Kristen Kubisiak at kkubisiak@lessitermedia.com

Hot of the Anvil – December 2020, Oleo Acres Farrier Supply Announces Leadership Change, In Memoriam, Royal Kerckhaert Acquires Hoofjack

When providing hoof care for hunters and jumpers, a farrier is focused on the fundamentals of improving performance — but how does our work positively or negatively affect our clients’ chances in the show ring? I have been shoeing horses for more than 30 years, but I’ve also spent some time as a show judge. In that role, I’ve learned how the decisions we make as farriers can influence scores, what judges are looking for and what we can do to help our clients experience show ring success.

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.