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Female Farriers Thriving Despite Gender-Based Challenges

Three female horseshoers share ways that contributed to building their successful footcare practices
By John Bradshaw posted on May 1, 2014 | Posted in Business Practices
Traditionally horseshoeing has been a male-dominated industry, but women are entering the profession at unprecedented rates. The most recent American Farriers Journal Farrier Business Practices survey indicates 6% of full-time farriers and 10% of part-timers are women. While many females are finding success in the trade, the road hasn't been easy and they still face some challenges.
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High-Speed Treadmill Proves Importance Of Correct Trimming

Demonstration at the Texas A&M Farrier Conference shows the correlation between trimming and lameness
By John Bradshaw posted on May 1, 2014 | Posted in Trimming
Earlier this year, horseshoers gathered in College Station, Texas, for the Texas A&M University Farrier Conference. Some came for the clinic itself, while others made the trip for the American Farrier’s Association certification exams that were held over the weekend.
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Handling Footcare at the 6666 Ranch

The varied hoof-care needs keep Blane Chapman busy at the historic Texas ranch
By John Bradshaw posted on March 1, 2014 | Posted in Business Practices
A cold morning 2 days before Christmas found Blane Chapman and two apprentices shoeing at the famed 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. They didn’t let the closeness of the holiday keep them away, because it was Monday, and Blane has been traveling the 100 miles from Lubbock to Guthrie every Monday for 14 years.
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Delivering As An All-Around Farrier

Farrier Shawn Nanny has established a thriving practice based on shoeing the utility horse of central Texas
By John Bradshaw posted on December 1, 2013 | Posted in Shoeing
In central Texas ranch country, Shawn Nanny shoes a variety of horses, including ranch horses, rodeo horses, backyard ponies and even some gaited horses. However, the backbone of his business and his specialty is the all-around horse.
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Shoeing Real Cow Horses

Hoof care at feedlots isn’t glamorous, but it does provide steady work and income if you can deal with less-than-ideal conditions
By John Bradshaw posted on January 1, 2013 | Posted in Shoeing
Feedyard pens are typically fairly dry, but heavy rain will make a mess of them. Deep, sloppy cow manure such as this will literally suck shoes right off horses' feet. In the Texas Panhandle, as well as many other areas across the nation's midsection, feedlot cattle outnumber people. Some hold more than 60,000 cattle at the same time.
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Farrier and Firefighter

Texas shoer’s dual career has its benefits — literally
By John Bradshaw posted on December 1, 2012 | Posted in Business Practices
Zach Dicken made the decision 3 years ago to become a part-time horseshoer, and the farrier-fireman combination really works for him. He works a 24-hour shift every third day at the Lubbock Fire Department, which provides a steady paycheck and those elusive benefits that so many farriers struggle to pay for.
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There Was a Crooked Nail

Farrier’s experiment seems to indicate driving bent nails is probably safe for most horses — but he also asks, “Why take a chance?”
By John Bradshaw posted on March 1, 2012 | Posted in Shoeing
Whether it is from a jerking horse or a miscalculated hammer blow, everybody bends a nail now and then.
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New Mexico Farriers Get Some Oklahoma Shoeing Wisdom

Mark Milster stresses importance of observation and understanding the needs of the individual horse
By John Bradshaw posted on December 1, 2011 | Posted in Anatomy
Mark Milster gave some tips on everyday shoeing and forging at the first-ever clinic held at San Marcos Feed, near Santa Fe, N.M. When San Marcos Feed took over the farrier supply side of Wagon Mound Ranch Supply, owner Tom Macdonnell decided to continue the tradition of hosting an annual shoeing clinic.
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Hoof Care on Parade

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.

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Life Data Labs

Life Data Labs Inc

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.
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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.
Smart Pak

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.
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