“The only constant in life is change.” You’ve probably heard this saying more than once. The subject is on my mind because my role with American Farriers Journal is changing. With a new role, I’ll no longer work on content for the AFJ magazine and website or plan the International Hoof-Care Summit. These duties are now in Lead Content Editor Jeff Cota’s capable hands.

As this could be my last editor’s column to write for American Farriers Journal, I’ll use it to suggest the farrier industry in the United States to consider a change. Note that I wrote “could be” because, well, change is constant.

Outsiders Looking In

Farriers in the U.S. are haphazard confederations. Some are members of one association, while others belong to another. By our estimation, fewer than 20% of U.S. farriers are active members of any national trade group. As I consider the vast differences in the industry, it seems the most common farrier groups are micro-associations of shoers who trust each other to tack on lost shoes in one’s absence. 

My suggestion for change is this: Set aside the differences of styles and modalities, and find ways to unite as professionals. Why? Because fragmentation is the easiest way for an outside group to gain oversight.

I’m sure some reading this initial response is that I’m being sensational about an unseen boogeyman. However, in my 14-plus years with American Farriers Journal, I’ve seen examples of such.

Most recently, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority…