As a Wisconsin native, I was not used to the Missouri heat in early August. At 8:30 a.m., it was nearly 90 degrees when I drove up a long, dusty gravel road to the Missouri Forget Me Not Horse Rescue & Sanctuary.

I’d spent the previous day with Missouri farrier Brandon Stubbs, CJF, who asked me around 1 p.m. if it had gotten hotter or if it was just him. We were standing next to his forge with the sun beating down on us. Despite him doing all the hard work that day, I’d agreed that, no, it had definitely gotten hotter. I was sweating too. Higher temperatures were forecasted for that day at the sanctuary, but spending most of it under a covered round pen meant this would likely be one of the coolest days of shoeing for Missouri attendees all summer.

Day 1 of the 2-day clinic, sponsored by Glue-U, began with coffee and doughnuts. It was my first event since joining the American Farriers Journal team, and, like everyone there, I was hoping to learn something new.

Farriers traveled from across the Midwest to attend — some as far away as northern Michigan, a 2-day trip — but most seemed to know each other. Those who didn’t were quickly welcomed into the group with a firm handshake. Despite a steady stream of jokes, everyone was engaged and energized by clinicians Tab Pigg, CJF, Roy Williams, CJF, and Doug Russo, CJF, AWCF, who were not just educators but their peers.

This meant everyone jumped in to hand them glue, shoes and HoofJacks when needed, often before they were requested. Attendees took the 2 days of education seriously, asked insightful questions and sought advice on tough cases. When it came time for hands-on volunteers, many stepped up.

As I’m getting to know the farrier community, one quality that stands out is their dedication — not just to skill development but to each other. When one farrier is injured or ill, the entire community rallies around them. And, when it comes to education, farriers take advantage of clinics, competitions and the International Hoof-Care Summit as golden opportunities to network with people equally as passionate about the craft.

On day 2 of the clinic, approximately 30 attendees collectively shifted around each horse for a better look at Russo’s work. One farrier held up the foot of a draft horse while Russo nipped away at a deep quarter crack. Another farrier knelt to sketch the debrided area, and others took turns bending over to snap reference photos.

Once the area was exposed, Russo asked the group what they wanted to do next. Some wanted to glue on a shoe, as much of the lateral hoof wall had been resected. Others wanted to apply a Z-bar shoe to float the affected area. Ultimately, Russo decided to leave the horse barefoot — the substrate at the sanctuary was soft enough to avoid stressing the foot — but I admired the no stupid questions and no stupid answers mindset in the round pen. All input was taken seriously, and no one was afraid to brainstorm out loud.

During some downtime after lunch, Russo and I connected over Iowa. I joked that he, the resident farrier at Iowa State, and I, a graduate of the University of Iowa just 2 hours away, were rivals. But it got me thinking about the value of education.

As with any skill, if you don’t continually develop, practice and challenge yourself, eventually you’ll hit a wall. Some people are content to stop at that wall. The farriers at the clinic are not. Besides getting hands-on experience with unfamiliar techniques, continuing education helps you stay curious and keeps your mind elastic.

Frank Dugan, with Glue-U, asked me at the end of the clinic what I thought of it. I was generous when I said I only absorbed about 30% of everything Russo, Pigg and Williams said. I was surprised when Dugan replied that it would be exceptional if I absorbed even that much.

Learning is exciting as much as it is overwhelming. It’s humbling, but having a thirst for knowledge and the desire to obtain it is what drives excellence. Clinics, contests and the International Hoof-Care Summit are where excellence happens, and getting involved helps build your skillset, your business and benefits the horse.