To improve in the farrier trade, education and experience are the obvious pathways to success. But some may fail to realize that you can achieve more through the help of others.
Growing up in Ontario, Ian McKinlay learned crack repair from his father J.C., a pioneer in the practice. J.C. McKinlay started repairing cracks in Ontario in the 1960s, primarily with Standardbreds at Toronto’s Greenwood Mohawk Racetrack and his farm. The younger McKinlay told attendees of the March Razerhorse clinic in Denton, Texas, that his late father would be amazed at how farriers have adapted his work in lacing and patching cracks.
Research indicates that the positive effects of particular shoe selection for Western Pleasure horses are guided by the perceptions of judges and trainers rather than reality
Many trainers and owners often try to convince a farrier to adopt a certain style of trimming or shoeing based on a myriad of factors. Sometimes the motivation comes from a belief that a particular change will improve the horse’s overall performance, resulting in better scores from judges.
Back in January 2013, Delaware, Ohio, farrier Dean Moshier was invited to be on an online radio show Stable Scoop on Horse Radio Network. In it, he discussed a top 10 list of what most farriers wanted their clients to know. Over the last 3 years, these questions and answers have evolved, mainly influenced by client interactions within Moshier’s practice. He recently delivered this at the Midwest Horse Fair, which draws tens of thousands of equine enthusiasts to south-central Wisconsin every year.
ArcEquine polled 600 horse owners about hoof issues and their farriers. Some findings are surprising, and then some are head scratchers (nearly 48% report abscesses as a most common hoof problem, beating out more likely candidates).
Manufacturers of hoof-care products are blessed. Although they often create products with specific intended uses and applications, the farriers they serve will likely come up with innovations on how to improve a product or use it differently.
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.
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
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.
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.