Whether making shoes for your inventory or trying to improve for competition, practice and repetition are key. The more shoemaking you do, the higher your skill level will increase and the more efficient you will be at fitting shoes, says International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame farrier Billy Crothers.
Farriers have a variety of shoeing options to consider when providing mechanical support to an acutely lame horse. Depending on the horse’s specific circumstances and the farrier’s particular skill set, a hand-forged heart-bar shoe or modified keg shoe may offer a solution. Ohio certified journeyman farrier and equine veterinarian Adam Pendleton has found open toe heart-bar shoes can be a useful application in certain cases.
Ohio farrier-veterinarian Adam Pendleton celebrated a professional milestone when he hosted the grand opening of his expanded practice, HandforgedVet Equine Clinic, in Marblehead.
Kirk Underschultz has been a hoof-care professional since 1979 — a testament to his love of the work and devotion to his clients. But it wasn’t long ago that his future as a farrier seemed uncertain.
Several years ago, Underschultz started experiencing painful arthritis in his fingers and wrists — the most critical tools of any farrier.
When Cicero, Ind., farrier Cody Bogard started shoeing a little over 10 years ago, his mentors told him not to worry about getting clients. He would have plenty of work in a couple of years if he did two things: show up on time and return phone calls.
The farrier’s toolbox is critical to his or her livelihood. Quality tools should be built to last, but there are some things that farriers can do to extend — or shorten — the life of their tools. Dan Bradley, International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member and a representative for GE Forge and Tool of Grover Beach, Calif., offered common-sense tips that he has found helpful with farriers gathered for a clinic and grand opening of Ocala’s Farrier Supply in Florida.
Laminitis is one of the most dreaded equine diseases. Many horses affected by it eventually develop severe or chronic lameness.
Dr. James Orsini, former director of the Laminitis Institute at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center, is well-acquainted with the disease.
The choices farriers make when trimming and shoeing to achieve a certain result are going to have an impact on the entire equine limb and, at times, may result in unintended consequences. Understanding the anatomy of the equine limb beyond the hoof can help reduce the chances of a farrier’s action having an adverse reaction elsewhere. It can also improve the quality of communication among equine colleagues.
A: Ask yourself: Why is the foot clubbed? Shorter leg? Wearing problem from pawing? Conformational? Is the so-called clubbed hoof really clubbed or is the other hoof low-angled or under run? Is there a tendon issue?
When Cicero, Ind., farrier Cody Bogard graduated from shoeing school a little over a decade ago, his mentors assured him that he didn’t need to worry about getting clients. He would have more work than he could handle in a couple of years if he did two things: show up on time and return phone calls.
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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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.
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.