Randy Luikart

News & Notes

ASBPE Names American Farriers Journal a Finalist for 2 Awards

Business Practices Survey & Supply Shop of the Year coverage up for Azbee Awards

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on March 10, 2025 | Posted in Business Practices

American Farriers Journal is among four Lessiter Media publications that are regional finalists in the American Society of Business Publication Editors’ 2025 Azbee Awards of Excellence.

Influencing Diagonal Gait of Trot

How the horse compensates for outside influences

By Randy S Luikart posted on March 9, 2025 | Posted in Shoeing, Trimming

There are lateral gaits and/or diagonal gaits that are required performance of the horses we shoe or trim. Some are natural lateral gaits, like Icelandic and Paso Fino horses, and some are learned, like five-gaited Saddlebred horses.

Online Extras: January/February 2025

December 19, 2024

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

AFJ’s Best of Yearly Roundup
Gain more insight from Randy Luikart
Shoeing for a Living
Gain more insight from Nicholas Denson
American Farriers Journal Multimedia
American Farrier's Journal’s Best of the Web

Thinking Outside the Box in Farriery

One professional’s approach for finding solutions to hoof-care problems

By Nicholas B Denson posted on December 18, 2024 | Posted in Diseases, Lamenesses, Nutrition, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

Let’s get one thing straight — our job isn’t just to make the hoof look pretty or prevent a horse from limping around like it’s in a bad Spaghetti Western.

When Should the Equine Hoof & Pastern Angle Line Up?

Simulated mid-stance position allows evaluation of the mechanics of the hoof, pastern angle & fetlock

By Randy S Luikart posted on December 18, 2024 | Posted in Anatomy

I don’t know about you, but it has been pounded into my head for years that the hoof and pastern angle should line up.

Olympia Farrier Supply Earns Inaugural Supply Shop of the Year

Pacific Northwest retailer forges deep bonds by investing in their customers

By Jeff Cota posted on October 14, 2024 | Posted in Business Practices

The sign on the wall at Olympia Farrier Supply says it all, “There is nothing better than seeing a farrier succeed.”

Easing Breakover & Research Clash

Shortening the hoof is far less important during the weight-bearing phase of a horse’s stride

By Randy S Luikart posted on September 5, 2024 | Posted in Education, Shoeing, Trimming

The weight-bearing phase of a horse’s stride sequence is extremely complicated.

What are the 4 Lengths of Horses’ Feet?

Hall of Fame farrier defines each and how they apply to disciplines

By Randy S Luikart posted on April 3, 2024 | Posted in Lamenesses, Trimming

No doubt you have some thoughts on a horse’s hoof length. I recently wrote about the three important lengths for the soundness of the horse — dorsal length, horizontal length and vertical length (or depth).