Footing and traction are among the most important considerations for hunters and jumpers. This session features Jason Critton, who is well acquainted with the footing and traction needs of equine athletes. Critton and his C-Cross Farriers team are the official farriers of the Colorado Horse Park, and many other top shows including the 2017 FEI World Cup.

Hide Content

Equine athletes often migrate south for the winter to take advantage of warmer weather, which often results in significant problems or changes to the hoof capsule. In this session, Uxbridge, Ontario, farrier and Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners (NEAEP) President Dave Dawson will discuss the strategies to help you manage the effects that the environment has on horses’ feet and the similarities with everyday life shoeing.

Hide Content

When providing hoof care for hunters and jumpers, most farriers focus on fundamentals of improving performance —and rightfully so. But how does your work positively or negatively impact your client’s chances in the show ring? Johnstown, Ohio, farrier Dean Moshier has been shoeing horses for nearly 30 years, but he has also spent some time as a show judge. In this session, Moshier offers his insights on how farriery influences judges, what they are looking for, and what you can do to help your client’s chances in the show ring.

Hide Content

When providing hoof care for equine athletes, it’s not a matter of if an injury will occur, but when. Radiographs are an integral tool that veterinarians and farriers can rely on. In this session, Dr. Kit Miller of Miller & Associates of Brewster, N.Y. and also the first president of the Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners (NEAEP), will discuss how radiographs can help the vet-farrier team develop a shoeing plan.

Hide Content

Like human athletes, sport horses are bound to sustain injuries that can create both short and long-term issues. In this session, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital Resident Farrier Stuart Muir will discuss how to manage the common pathologies that you will face.

Hide Content

The trainer sees and works with the horse, and sometimes the horse owner, on a daily basis as competition draws near. The trainer can provide valuable information about the horse’s history regarding movement or lameness issues that can help in deciding how to set up the foot and type of shoeing. Ron Danta operates Beaver River Farm in South Carolina and has trained or ridden many successful show hunters over the years. He serves as a judge and committee member for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF). He offers his perspective on the farrier trainer relationship and how the team can serve the best interest of the horse and achieve competition success.

Hide Content

Preventing injuries while maximizing performance - that is the jobs of the sport horse shoer. Welsh farrier and International Hall of Fame Horseshoer Grant Moon shares the insights he has learned working with these disciplines since thee 1970s, in all corners of the world.

Hide Content

Are they hunters or are they jumpers? The terms are often used interchangeably. But what does it mean to be a hunter vs. a jumper. In this session, farrier Mark Rikard clears up the confusion around the terminolgy and discusses the considerations he weighs when shoeing hunters in a wet climate.

Lance Sloman started being the head show farrier at Spruce Meadows in 1983. He recently passed the mantle on to his son Connor. In this session, the Slomans share what they have learned over the years shoeing hunters and jumpers on the grass turf at Spruce Meadows.

Hide Content

It is difficult to change your clients' behaviors after you've worked with them for a long period. It is best to coach them on your expectations before you work with them. In this session, Coshocton, Ohio, Dave Farley will share ideas on how to explain how to match yourself with the clients you want to work with and continue to communicate with them as you continue to educate them on better footcare. He also will explain how to institute change with existing clients.

Hide Content

As a former farrier, David Barron understands the need to prepare for life after horseshoeing. Now providing insurance and financial solutions, he can use his insight to give advice on how to plan for the time your career ends, whether it is due to an accident or planned retirement. Prepare your future and protect your established income.

Hide Content

To grow your business over the years, you need to find new clients, and replace those who no longer fit your practice. Weatherford, Texas, farrier Lee Olsen will share his strategies for building a practice and growing an existing practice. This session is helpful to improve your practice regardless where you are in your career.

Hide Content

Therapeutic cases can be challenging for farriers, and not just from trying to manage the issues presented by the horse. In this session, Sagamore, Beach Mass., farrier Nick Denson will talk about the business side of running a farrier business that includes therapeutic accounts. Make sure the time and resource investment in this work benefits your practice long-term.

Hide Content

Davis, Calif., farrier Shane Westman has seen firsthand how debt can cripple a farrier practice and personal life. Earlier in his career, he was in debt in his business and private finances. In this session, he'll discuss practical business advice to avoid and eliminate debt. He will also explain the benefit of good debt vs. bad debt.

Hide Content

From her work in accounting, Misty Pleiness has key insight in what helps and hinders small businesses. And as a competitive rider, she has spoken with her farriers about the business challenges they face. She'll help bridge the two worlds and deliver key insight on helping build a stronger farrier practice.

Hide Content

You can't effectively run a profitable business without knowing what it costs to trim or shoe each horse. In this session, Shelbyville, Ky., farrier Pat Broadus will explain how to break down costs to understand where to price your work at. He'll show how minor price increases can help you run a more profitable business. Making small changes today can result in a different financial outcome within a year.

Hide Content

The best way to learn how to avoid mistakes is by listening to those who have made it. These three seasoned farriers will share key problems that farriers encounter and provide advice on how to correct them. The advice will cover all of the aspects of farrier practice and help any stage of a career.

Hide Content