Articles by Bob Smith

Book Review: January/February 2018

Evaluating Radiographs For Equine Foot Management By Pete Healey

By Bob Smith posted on January 6, 2018 | Posted in Education, Therapeutic Shoeing

The quest to define the ideal foot and ideal balance has been the Holy Grail of horseshoeing since the late 1800s when William Russell first coined the term “balance” in the context of footcare. The dilemma facing all books on the horse’s foot has been the concept of what is a “normal” foot.

3 Common Questions Students Ask After Graduation

By Bob Smith posted on August 14, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices, Shoeing

After graduating from a farrier school, you will be faced with challenging situations that don’t always involve easy solutions. Former students often seek my advice on how to handle various scenarios.

Red Flags for Farriers

Recognize Different Types of Problematic Clients

Identifying traits of problematic clients will help you determine which ones to keep

By Bob Smith posted on November 1, 2014 | Posted in Clients

I'm sure you have clients who raise your blood pressure as soon as you see their name on your schedule. After years of hard work building a solid business, getting rid of clients seems to fly in the face of your desire to increase your client base and income. But firing clients may just be what your business and your mental health need.

10 Ways To Find Clients … 10 Ways To Keep Them

By Bob Smith posted on August 1, 2014 | Posted in Business Practices

Book Notes

A Guide To Becoming A Stronger Professional

Common Sense Leadership, Equine Edition By Garth Johns

By Bob Smith posted on July 1, 2014 | Posted in Education

As farriers, we often think of ourselves as isolationists. Many of us travel alone to our offices - horse barns. Once we are at the barns, we may have very little interaction with the owners, trainers, riders or grooms.

Red Flags for Farriers

Are You Trimming Proper Hoof Angles?

Just as one size does not fit all, one angle does not fit all

By Bob Smith posted on July 1, 2014 | Posted in Education, Trimming

What's the proper angle of a horse's hoof?

Bidding a Shoeing Contract

Footcare contracts can be profitable, but you can lose your shirt if they are not written properly

By Bob Smith posted on November 1, 2013 | Posted in Business Practices

Bidding a shoeing job for a park service, police department or a large barn can be rewarding or disastrous - depending upon how well you research your bid.

12 Reasons Why Stumbling May Not Be a Horseshoeing Problem

Before you follow an owner’s or trainer’s instructions to modify a shoe, consider these other reasons why a horse is stumbling

By Bob Smith posted on September 1, 2013 | Posted in Anatomy, Lamenesses

Farriers often hear an owner say, "My horse stumbled, so my trainer said to tell you to rocker the toes." Many trainers and owners believe that a rolled or rocker toe is all that is needed to "correct" stumbling.

Farrier Tips

Understand Why Horses Stumble

By Bob Smith posted on August 22, 2013 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

Farriers often hear an owner say, “My horse stumbled, so my trainer said to tell you to rocker the toes.” Many trainers and owners believe that a rolled or rocker toe is all that is needed to “correct” stumbling.

Book Notes

Try Three Styles of Interactive Learning to Expand your Skills

Essential Principles Of Horseshoeing, Foundation Guide To Sound Trimming And Shoeing

By Bob Smith and Doug Butler posted on September 1, 2012 | Posted in Business Practices

For hundreds of years, books on horseshoeing have followed a very similar format. The books have focused exclusively on the mechanical aspect of shoeing. Some reflect the author's passion for the forge while others focus on shoeing to overcome numerous gait and lameness issues.

Videos

Hoof Care on Parade

Greg Martin, CJF, of Boerne, Texas, takes the unique approach of marketing his hoof-care practice with a Christmas parade float in Boerne and Comfort, Texas. The award-winning float boasts a variety of surprising features.

Events

Michigan Horseshoers Association 55th Annual Clinic

Date: 01/02/25

Location: Lansing, MI

The Michigan Horseshoers Association will host its 55th annual clinic Jan. 2-4, 2025 in East Lansing, Mich.

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Top Directory Listings

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Kawell USA

Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.

SmartPak

From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.