Articles by Esco Buff

50 Years of American Farriers Journal

Reflections on Hoof-Care Milestones Over 5 Decades: Esco Buff

By Esco Buff posted on October 23, 2024 | Posted in Education

International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer Esco Buff, PhD, APF-I, CF, of Clearwater, Fla., shares his thoughts on the milestones of farriery over the past half-century as American Farriers Journal celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Web-Exclusive Feature

Ichthammol Vs. Epsom Salts in Treating Horse Hoof Abscesses

By Esco Buff posted on December 2, 2021 | Posted in Clients, Diseases, Lamenesses

There are many ways to treat abscesses in equine hooves. With or without paring out an abscess, information on two of the most popular methods of drawing out an abscess are discussed here.

Diseases & Lameness

Ergotism and Fescue Lameness in Horses

By Esco Buff posted on November 2, 2021 | Posted in Clients, Education, Diseases, Lamenesses

Fescue lameness (also known as fescue foot) resembles ergotism (ergot poisoning); however, they are two different types of fescue toxicities.

A Qualitative Study and Analysis of the Results of Using Copper-Alloy Horseshoes in the Reduction of White Line Infections

It appears that antimicrobial effects of copper-alloy do apply to the application of copper-alloy horseshoes in reducing the microbial damage to the horses’ white line.

By Esco Buff posted on February 17, 2021 | Posted in Diseases, Therapeutic Shoeing

Treatment of white line infections has traditionally been to remove the affected area of the white line and treat with some form of antimicrobial topical. Horse owner compliance at applying daily topicals to combat white line infections is reportedly short lived. The effectiveness of daily topicals also comes into question once a horseshoe is applied to the hoof. Traditional horseshoes made of steel and aluminum provide no antibacterial qualities. The application of copper-alloy horseshoes has been shown in studies to help with combating bacterial and fungal infections of the white line and eliminate the need for horse owners to apply daily topicals.

Misconceptions Abound with Model Veterinary Practice Act

Legal definitions shed light on diagnosing, scope of practice in farriery

By Esco Buff posted on July 4, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices

As the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) House of Delegates prepares to consider the proposed Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) in August, the process has illuminated several hot-button topics that are in need of clarity.

Does A Client Owe You Money? Here’s How To Collect

By Esco Buff posted on August 14, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Clients who fail to pay for hoof-care services are a problem that every farrier experiences at some point in his or her career.

There are a variety of cases and reasons as to why clients don’t pay their farriers. By understanding the United States government’s definitions of non-payments and reviewing the basics for collecting, you can be better prepared for making sure more of the money you earn gets to your pocket.

How To Collect When A Client Fails To Pay

By Esco Buff posted on July 25, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Clients who fail to pay for hoof-care services are a problem that every farrier experiences at some point in his or her career. There are a variety of cases and reasons as to why clients don’t pay their farriers. By understanding the United States government’s definitions of non-payments and reviewing the basics for collecting, you can be better prepared for making sure more of the money you earn gets to your pocket.

Career Guide Finances

Client Failing To Pay? Here’s How To Collect

By Esco Buff posted on August 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Clients who fail to pay for hoof-care services are a problem that every farrier experiences at some point in his or her career.

Web-Exclusive Feature

Phenylbutazone — My Investigation And Questions

By Esco Buff posted on June 11, 2015 | Posted in Lamenesses

This article doesn't answer questions, but raises concerns about its use with certain laminitic and metabolic horses.

The Hoof-Care Bottom Line

Ethical Considerations For Your Farrier Business

By Esco Buff posted on September 1, 2014 | Posted in Business Practices

Ethics are codes, values or rules that govern those practices of a person and profession. Ethics are a standard of behavior by which a person's conduct is judged. These codes dictate how we should manage our business and ourselves. In business, an ethical individual feels compelled to behave according to the rules of moral personal and business principles.

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

Indiana Farriers' Association Clinic

Date: 03/29/25

Location: Montgomery, IN

The Indiana Farriers’ Association is hosting a clinic at the Daviess County Produce Auction on March 29, 2025. The clinician is Mark Troyer.

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Top Directory Listings

Life Data Labs Inc

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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.