LOOKING BACK at the first North American Horseshoeing Team, squad member Gordon Haight says, “We didn’t know what we we’re getting into.”

“C’MON IN AND HAVE A SEAT,” says Donald Jones, showing the way to a barber’s chair in the middle of the room. Jones sits down in an old office chair and turns away from a messy desktop in a corner of the slightly cluttered, dark-paneled office.

AFTER 30 YEARS, Bill Scalzitti knows what works best for his racetrack shoeing efforts. And it includes a rig design that lets him shoe as conveniently and comfortably as possible.

BEING AMONG THE WORLD’S best at something — anything — is a fantasy for many people. For a smaller number, it is a driving force in life.

AUSTIN EDENS, a 24-year-old from Graham, Texas, has been steadily climbing toward the top spot for a few years and finally reached the summit — the  title  of World Champion Blacksmith at the annual Calgary Stampede.

Craig McMillen of Nettleton, Miss., embodies all of the ideals behind the annual Mail-In Forging Exercise. He believes a good farrier should be able to forge a shoe.

ALTHOUGH THERAPEUTIC SHOEING remains essential to the successful treatment of laminitis, a new feed could increase the chances of successfully dealing with a number of laminitis cases.