Articles by Mike Podoll

Homemade Circular Forge Delivers the Heat

Las Vegas farrier was busy working on his own prototype when similar design was introduced on the market

By Mike Podoll posted on May 1, 2006 | Posted in Business Practices, Forging

Mike Dawson of Las Vegas, Nev., has an unusual circular shape, slide-out forge mounted in the back of his shoeing rig.

Full Support Pad: An Effective Weight-Distribution Tool

Easy-to-use pad offers the same type of support as heart bar shoes, as well as other critical functions

By Mike Podoll posted on May 1, 2006 | Posted in Equipment

Years ago, Myron McLane realized that many farriers had difficulty applying heart bar shoes or lacked the necessary experience or equipment to effectively make them.

Super Soaker

Tips, tactics and techniques for dealing with waterlogged hooves, no matter the environment

By Mike Podoll posted on May 1, 2006 | Posted in Education, Shoeing

When people think about environmental factors that play a role in degrading the integrity of the hoof, most think about the things like rocky terrain, sandy oil and icy, slippery conditions.

A Tip Of The Cap to You

Ninth Annual Farriers Week Offers Recogntion For The Hardest Working People In The Hoof-Care Industry

By Mike Podoll posted on May 1, 2006 | Posted in Education

July is your money month. While many people are enjoying the summer heat and using it as a time of recreation, this is the time of year when you really start working extra hours and earning more money.

Selecting the Right Shoeing Box

Picking the perfect shoeing box to fit your needs can save you time, money and labor

By Mike Podoll posted on April 1, 2006 | Posted in Equipment

Much like a farrier’s shoeing rig, a shoer’s toolbox can become a personal statement. It’s a reflection of personal work style, shoeing technique and professionalism.

Hoof-Care Industry Honors Halls Of Fame Inductees

Dedication and lifetime achievements are trademarks of the “Class of 2006”

By Mike Podoll posted on March 1, 2006 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Honoring dedication to the craft and life-long achievement of high quality work, the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame and the International Equine Veterinarians Hall Of Fame each inducted four dynamic professionals into their exclusive ranks during February.

Modified Tools Make Life Easier

Simple alterations save steps, improve efficiency

By Mike Podoll posted on March 1, 2006 | Posted in Equipment

Like many other farriers, Mike Dawson of Las Vegas, Nev., has modified a few tools to make his shoeing go better.

Being Careful With Heart Bar Shoes

Applied incorrectly, the heart bar shoe can go from a life-saving therapeutic aid to a damaging piece of equipment

By Mike Podoll posted on March 1, 2006 | Posted in Equipment, Therapeutic Shoeing

When the duo of Burney Chapman and George Platt popularized the use of heart bar shoes for foundered and laminitic horses in the late 1960s, it set off a firestorm of innovations and design-styles for therapeutic horseshoes that reinvigorated the hoof-care industry.

Tracking, Treating and Thwarting Thrush

To effectively treat thrush, the farrier sometimes needs to play detective to ferret out the root causes of the bacterial infection

By Mike Podoll posted on January 1, 2006 | Posted in Diseases

The smell says it all. The unmistakable rotting odor emanating from a hoof, usually accompanied by a black-colored discharge under or around the frog, deep sulcus, cracks or crevices within the hoof — these are the first tell-tale signs that you’re dealing with the organism, Spherophorus neaophorus, otherwise known as thrush.

Modifying Keg Shoes: Special Cases Call for Special Measures

San Antonio area farrier makes the case for thinking outside the box and why you should keep your iron-working skills fine tuned

By Mike Podoll posted on January 1, 2006 | Posted in Forging, Therapeutic Shoeing

Ambrose Gordon, a farrier from Kerrville, Texas, located just outside of San Antonio, regularly does therapeutic shoeing work with veterinarian and boarded equine surgeon David Dutton from Hill Country Equine Clinic in Borney, Tex.

Videos

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary

American Farriers Journal is excited and honored to celebrate its 50th anniversary of publishing the hands-on magazine for hoof-care professionals. Learn more about our special edition, which comes out in December 2024.

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.