Pat Tearney is a long-term newspaper and magazine veteran writer and editor. Before retiring, he served for a number of years on the American Farriers Journal staff and continues to share his writing talents with our readers.

Lameness In The Sport Horse

Connecticut vet reviews the more common issues you’re likely to see when providing hoof care for the “English” disciplines

By Pat Tearney posted on March 1, 2013 | Posted in Lamenesses

Trimming protocols and choice of shoes vary for various riding disciplines. You don’t typically need reining plates, for instance, if you’re shoeing polo ponies. In similar fashion, certain lamenesses are more likely to be seen in horses used in one discipline than another.

Fire Up That Forge

Hot tips for packing more heat into your shoeing work

By Pat Tearney posted on March 1, 2013 | Posted in Forging

There is probably no single piece of equipment that has changed how farriers do their jobs more than the portable propane forge. From shaky beginnings when they were seen more as a novelty, they have become virtually a necessity for farriers who want to hot fit and hot shoe away from their own shops.

From The Desk Of AFJ

Shoe Where The Money Is, Or Where The Heart Is?

The lucky (or are they smart?) get to do both

By Pat Tearney posted on March 1, 2013 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

There's something to be said for shoeing horses where the money is. There's also something to be said for doing the kind of work you love in a place that you love.

From the Desk of AFJ

It's a Simple Job Except When It's Not

Some thoughts on the K.I.S.S. method of farriery

By Pat Tearney posted on February 8, 2013 | Posted in Business Practices, Shoeing

I've heard a lot of farriers champion the so-called K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) method for horseshoeing. But I've heard some of the same farriers then describe their "simple" system. It includes assessing the horse's conformation, age, work, environment, hoof-horn quality, hoof-wall thickness, sole type, frog health, past history, any current or recent lamnesses or problems, trainer requirements and rider needs and style.

From The Desk Of AFJ

Cold Weather Shoeing Tips and Tales

When you’re providing hoof care during the winter, finding ways to keep warm is all part of the job

By Pat Tearney posted on January 10, 2013 | Posted in Equipment, Safety & Healthcare

When you're providing hoof care during the winter, finding ways to keep warm is all part of the job

Shoeing for a Living

Third Career is a Charm

California farrier Donnie Karr was 34 before he started his shoeing career, but he’s found that the job fits him as well as he fits shoes

By Pat Tearney posted on January 1, 2013 | Posted in Shoeing

Loomis, Calif., farrier Donnie Karr shapes a shoe while working at a small ranch in Granite City, Calif. Karr has been shoeing full-time for just over 13 years. This particular ranch is home to a number of cutting horses, as well as other horses used in Western riding disciplines.

The Farrier and Radiographs

X-ray machines are probably never going to become standard equipment on shoeing rigs, but the information gleaned through this technology can help you provide better hoof care and improve your standing in the eyes of your clients

By Pat Tearney posted on January 1, 2013 | Posted in Education, Therapeutic Shoeing

Digital radiographs allow "stall-side" imagery that farriers and veterinarians can read within seconds, as farrier/veterinarian Raul Bras of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital did on a Lexington, Ky., Thoroughbred farm in this photo.

The Backyard Horse

Information for you to Share with Your Backyard Horse Clients

In 2013, American Farriers Journal will help you educate your novice clients on the importance of regular hoof care

By Pat Tearney posted on January 1, 2013 | Posted in Education

Backyard horses are an important part of a hoof-care business. Particularly with novice horse owners, farriers may need to serve as a hoof-care educator. For years, our readers have been telling us that backyard horses are the backbone of many of their hoof-care practices.

From the Desk of AFJ

When the Question Isn't About Hooves

By Pat Tearney posted on December 21, 2012 | Posted in Clients

Horse owning clients may ask you anything, so think in advance about when and how you'll answer them.

A Day of Shoeing Backyard Horses Includes the Good and the Bad -- But Mostly Good

Pennsylvania farrier sees variety — in horses, barns as well as clients

By Pat Tearney posted on December 1, 2012 | Posted in Business Practices, Shoeing

This Pennsylvania corral demonstrates the variety of horses McCandless may see on a day when he's shoeing backyard horses. Like many young farriers, Clint McCandless has a lot of backyard horses on his shoeing book.

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.

Pat Tearney

ARTICLES

Lameness In The Sport Horse

Fire Up That Forge

Shoe Where The Money Is, Or Where The Heart Is?

It's a Simple Job Except When It's Not

Cold Weather Shoeing Tips and Tales

Third Career is a Charm

The Farrier and Radiographs

Information for you to Share with Your Backyard Horse Clients

When the Question Isn't About Hooves

A Day of Shoeing Backyard Horses Includes the Good and the Bad -- But Mostly Good

Top Articles

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American Farriers Journal

Plenty of Hoof-Care Growth in 50 Years

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