Articles by Jeff Cota

From The Desk Of AFJ

Veterinary Group Must Formally Recognize Farriery In Model VPA

By Jeff Cota posted on March 23, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s draft of its Model Veterinary Practice Act is intended to be a model of guiding principles to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and animals. Yet, even the best of intentions can result in unforeseen consequences.

Farrier Tips

A Cleaner Way to Apply Hoof Packing

By Jeff Cota posted on March 15, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment, Diseases, Lamenesses, Safety & Healthcare, Therapeutic Shoeing

Farriers around the world swear by the great benefits that hoof packing offers to equine feet. They also swear at the sticky mess that often results. Is there a better way to apply hoof packing under pads without it ending up all over you, your tools and anything else within reach?

News & Notes

AFA Suggests Changes To AVMA’s Proposed Policy

AAPF offers commenting guidance for its members

By Jeff Cota posted on March 12, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Diseases, Lamenesses, Nutrition, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

As the deadline looms to submit comments on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s proposal to remove the farriery exemption from the Model Veterinary Practice Act, two of the largest farrier associations issued statements on the issue Monday.

Farriers Research Each Day, Why Not Document It?

Collecting and sharing data improves the life of the horse and the industry

By Jeff Cota posted on March 10, 2018 | Posted in Education

Conducting research has a reputation for being a daunting task. Most farriers even find it intimidating. Yet, hoof-care and research share common ground.

Shoeing for a Living

The Reluctant Remedial Shoer

California farrier Travis Koons finds success relying on a minimalist approach in therapeutic cases

By Jeff Cota posted on March 10, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Forging, Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

“You don’t want to shoe lames horses, trust me.” Bob Marshall tried to warn the confident young farrier, but the then 18-year-old Travis Koons had made up his mind. The Hemet, Calif., youngster had printed business cards, announcing that his farrier practice specializes in pathological, remedial and corrective horseshoeing.

Farriers Question AVMA’s Proposed Elimination Of Exemption

Definition of veterinary medicine is open to interpretation, farriers say

By Jeff Cota posted on March 10, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices

A simple strikethrough of Section 6(8) in the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) proposed Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) has raised a multitude of questions in the farrier industry.

News & Notes

U.S. Imposes Steel And Aluminum Tariffs

Trump administration exempts Canada and Mexico, for now

By Jeff Cota posted on March 9, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices

President Donald Trump followed through Thursday with a campaign promise to impose stiff tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from all countries except Canada and Mexico.

News & Notes

Don’t Expect “Enormous” Price Hikes If Trump Imposes Steel Tariff

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

The Trump administration reportedly is finalizing plans for stiff tariffs on steel and aluminum imports that could come as soon as Thursday. While United States lawmakers and trade partners are bracing for the fallout, farrier industry retailers and manufacturers say they aren’t as concerned.

News & Notes

Study: Equine Industry Accounts For $122 Billion In Total Economic Impact

By Jeff Cota posted on March 2, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

If there was any doubt that the equine industry is an economic force in the United States, an impact study conducted by the American Horse Council Foundation provides proof.

Farrier Tips

A Better Way to Remove a Toe Clip from a Concave Shoe

By Jeff Cota posted on February 15, 2018 | Posted in Education, Forging, Shoeing

If you apply concave horseshoes, there’s a chance you’ve been in a situation when you’ve needed to remove a bob-punched toe clip.

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How Tariffs Affect Farrier Supplies

Influencing Diagonal Gait of Trot

USDA Rule Goes Too Far

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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

Trimming Donkeys: Trimming Protocol, Hoof Distortion, and Laminitis – Part 2

Date: 04/17/25

Location: CO

Trimming Donkeys: Trimming Protocol, Hoof Distortion, and Laminitis – Webinar, Part 2, will be April 17, 2025. The clinician is Ross Keller.

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Top Directory Listings

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.

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.

Articles by Jeff Cota

Veterinary Group Must Formally Recognize Farriery In Model VPA

A Cleaner Way to Apply Hoof Packing

AFA Suggests Changes To AVMA’s Proposed Policy

Farriers Research Each Day, Why Not Document It?

The Reluctant Remedial Shoer

Farriers Question AVMA’s Proposed Elimination Of Exemption

U.S. Imposes Steel And Aluminum Tariffs

Don’t Expect “Enormous” Price Hikes If Trump Imposes Steel Tariff

Study: Equine Industry Accounts For $122 Billion In Total Economic Impact

A Better Way to Remove a Toe Clip from a Concave Shoe

Top Articles

Current Issue

American Farriers Journal

How Tariffs Affect Farrier Supplies

Influencing Diagonal Gait of Trot

USDA Rule Goes Too Far

Current Issue

Special Report For Equine Veterinarians

Must Read Free Eguides

Videos

Hoof Care on Parade

Events

Trimming Donkeys: Trimming Protocol, Hoof Distortion, and Laminitis – Part 2

Life Data Labs Inc

Kawell USA

SmartPak