Maine native Jeff Cota joined Lessiter Media in January of 2014 and serves as the current editor of American Farriers Journal. Jeff enjoys photography, baseball, and the “opportunity to meet and learn from some great people in a fascinating trade.”

Contact: jcota@lessitermedia.com

News & Notes

Lee Liles’ Horseshoeing Museum Is Moving To Oklahoma City

The National Museum of Horse Shoeing Tools will call the Historic Stockyards City its home

By Jeff Cota posted on February 14, 2019 | Posted in Education, Forging, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing

The late Lee Liles dedicated his life to preserving the heritage of farriery with the creation of the National Museum of Horse Shoeing Tools and Hall Of Honor. Nine months after his passing, Liles’ family delivered a valentine to their patriarch and the farrier industry by announcing the collection will have a permanent home in Oklahoma City, Okla.

News & Notes

Controversy Erupts Over Plan to Eliminate Farrier Program

Instructor, students clash with Walla Walla Community College over level of support

By Jeff Cota posted on February 4, 2019 | Posted in Education

After more than 4 decades of training and educating hoof-care students in the Pacific Northwest, Walla Walla Community College is eliminating its Farrier Science Program, and the decision is not sitting well with students, the community and a faculty member.

Farrier Tips

No Foot Growth? It’s a Good Time to Gain on Distortion

By Jeff Cota posted on January 11, 2019 | Posted in Trimming

Among the horses that you regularly tend to, there is probably a segment that doesn’t grow much foot — particularly this time of year. Sending it back to its stall untouched isn’t a choice that you’ll see Lafayette, Ind., farrier Danvers Child make.

Shoeing For A Living

Don’t Limit Your Hoof-Care Options

Hall Of Fame farrier Danvers Child wants as many tools at his disposal as possible to benefit the horse.

By Jeff Cota posted on December 22, 2018 | Posted in Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Equipment, Diseases, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

There never can be too many tools in a farrier’s shoeing box. After all, the immeasurable quantity of variables involved in equine hoof care is staggering. Why limit yourself?

Bob Marshall Emphasizes the Fundamentals of Hoof Care

Hall of Fame Farrier Shares 60 Years of Experience with Forging and Shoeing Tips

By Jeff Cota posted on December 22, 2018 | Posted in Forging, Shoeing

Back in 2003, Bob Marshall told American Farriers Journal, “What I constantly see with guys is a need to go over the basics. It’s the same every year. No one has even shown some of them how to hold a hammer.”

In Memoriam

Arkansas Farrier And State Legislator Jim House Passes Away

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

Fayetteville, Ark., farrier, farmer and state legislator Jim House passed away Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, after a farming accident. He was 70.

Using Adhesives To Balance A Horse’s Foot

South Carolina farrier uses creativity when a horse doesn’t grow enough foot

By Jeff Cota posted on November 28, 2018 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

What can you do to balance a horse that has no foot to trim? Landrum, S.C., farrier Jeff Pauley suggests building an artificial hoof wall.

Teamwork is Crucial at the World Equestrian Games

There are no short cuts when providing elite hoof care

By Jeff Cota posted on November 27, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Lamenesses, Shoeing

Working the World Equestrian Games is often considered the crown jewel for many farriers’ careers. While shoeing the best equine athletes in the world certainly looks good on a résumé, make no mistake, this is not an individual event — it’s all about the team helping the horse.

From The Desk Of AFJ

Liles’ Horseshoeing Tools Museum Looks For A New Home

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

Samantha Liles Frank — Liles’ daughter — announced that steps are being taken to “secure the future of the museum.”

Farrier Tips

Try Beeswax to Combat Fungi and Bacteria

By Jeff Cota posted on November 9, 2018 | Posted in Education, Safety & Healthcare, Shoeing

Many farriers across North America have told American Farriers Journal that this has been one of the worst years for fungal- and bacterial-related problems in the hoof wall. To help keep the invading microbes at bay, one farrier uses an all-natural solution — beeswax.

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.

View Event

More Events

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.

Jeff Cota

ARTICLES

Lee Liles’ Horseshoeing Museum Is Moving To Oklahoma City

Controversy Erupts Over Plan to Eliminate Farrier Program

No Foot Growth? It’s a Good Time to Gain on Distortion

Don’t Limit Your Hoof-Care Options

Bob Marshall Emphasizes the Fundamentals of Hoof Care

Arkansas Farrier And State Legislator Jim House Passes Away

Using Adhesives To Balance A Horse’s Foot

Teamwork is Crucial at the World Equestrian Games

Liles’ Horseshoeing Tools Museum Looks For A New Home

Try Beeswax to Combat Fungi and Bacteria

Top Articles

Current Issue

American Farriers Journal

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