Articles by Jeff Cota

Shoeing Collateral Ligament Injuries

Reducing tension on the injured soft tissue is vital in rehabilitation

By Jeff Cota posted on October 29, 2018 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

An 11-year-old Haflinger mare was presented to veterinarians at the UC Davis Equine Surgery and Lameness Service on Nov. 21, 2017, for a lameness evaluation. Maribelle became acutely lame after a 3-hour hilly trail ride 5½ weeks earlier.

Tips To Improve Your Farrier Rig

Workstation designs can drive workflow and safety

By Jeff Cota posted on October 28, 2018 | Posted in Equipment, Safety & Healthcare

Thinking of updating or building a farrier rig? Consider some of the features that farriers have added to their workstations.

Enhance Your Business’ Value By Adding Services

Capitalize on opportunities that benefit both your clients and bottom line

By Jeff Cota posted on October 27, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Diseases, Nutrition

As a farrier, providing equine hoof-care services to your clients is a valuable commodity. Yet, there are a number of ways to increase your value and ensure long-lasting business relationships with clients.

Farrier Tips

Let the Foot Tell You How to Correct Imbalances

By Jeff Cota posted on September 27, 2018 | Posted in Anatomy, Trimming

Balancing the equine foot is one of the more difficult tasks that farriers face. Before trimming, it’s important to examine the foot and understand how you can influence it, says Steve Foxworth, a Loveland, Colo., farrier.

What Does A Barrel Horse Need To Succeed?

Appropriate hoof care will help provide the confidence a barrel horse needs

By Jeff Cota posted on September 8, 2018 | Posted in Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Trimming

Every barrel-racing client has a singular personality. Each one will want something different from a farrier, and often what is valued most will vary from horse to horse. Lindsay Harold Bouquillon is the kind of client whom farriers wish they had more of in their shoeing book. The Oxford, Conn., barrel racer is a horsewoman who has been riding most of her life.

British Columbia Farriers Pursuing Regulation

Groups team up to change veterinary supervision law

By Jeff Cota posted on September 7, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices

While American farriers have dodged a bid to eliminate the farrier exemption from the Model Veterinary Practice Act, their colleagues to the north find themselves in a difficult predicament.

Farrier Tips

Get a Better Handle on Your Tools

By Jeff Cota posted on September 6, 2018 | Posted in Equipment

Do your wooden-handled tools loosen or break? The culprit could be the design.

Cool Tips for Winter Hoof Care

Long-time northern farriers share cold weather wisdom

By Jeff Cota posted on September 5, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Forging, Shoeing, Trimming

If the Old Farmer’s Almanac and the National Weather Service are to be believed, much of the United States can expect a wet winter with above-normal temperatures.

Shoeing For A Living

Colorado Farrier Embraces Learning Opportunities to Benefit Horses

Steve Foxworth incorporates a mindset of learning and growth in his life and hoof-care practice

By Jeff Cota posted on September 4, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Diseases, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

Failure is not an option, or so we’ve been told. If you ask Steve Foxworth, though, failure not only is an option, it’s embraced. You see, there are more learning opportunities in failure than there are in success.

Vet Group Withdraws Farrier Exemption Shift

Industry’s reaction prompts AVMA to drop proposed change

By Jeff Cota posted on September 4, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices

A controversial proposal to eliminate the farriery exemption from the Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) has been shelved by an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) working group.

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

The Shoein' Shop 25th Annual Open House & Clinic

Date: 01/11/25

Location: Yucaipa, CA

The Shoein' Shop in Yucaipa, Calif., will host its 25th annual open house and clinic on Jan. 11, 2025.

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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.