During the final month of 2008, the farrier industry lost two of its best-known members with the passing of Eddie Watson and Reggie Kester, who both succumbed to cancer.
While the backyard horse doesn't always spark an image of high spending, a closer look at the recreational part of the U.S. horse industry paints a much different picture. Data from the American Horse Council's 'Economic Impact of the Horse Industry On The United States' confirms the size and impact of the recreational horse business.
The options are growing. Are you doing all you can to keep horses calm and cooperative during shoeing while keeping customers happy and yourself healthy?
Every shoeing session begins with the farrier gaining control of the horse. As a practical matter, most farriers secure the horse between cross-ties - a practice not everyone thinks is safe - while luckier shoers can call on an assistant or stable hand to steady the animal with a lead rope.
Pending survey and criticism by the American Farrier’s Association prompt school owners to band together to defend their programs, standardize a basic curriculum and add a continuing education component
Facing an examination of their educational programs by the American Farrier’s Association and stung by criticism in an AFA task force report on farrier education, the majority of private farrier school owners in the United States have banded together in a new group called the American Farriers Education Council.
That message came through loud and clear from speakers who voiced opinions on farrier regulation and licensing during the recent open forum sponsored by the American Farrier’s Association
Among roughly 75 AFA members, educators, suppliers and non-members who attended the mid-September “open forum” sponsored by the American Farrier’s Association, nobody spoke in favor of regulating and licensing farriers.
Private farrier school owners meet to discuss relationship with AFA, while the AFA also surveys its members about education, registration and licensing, and plans a meeting of its own
Caution, suspicion and resentment are brewing among the owners of private farrier schools as an American Farrier&'s Association task force prepares to look into the qualifications of all North American farrier schools.
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.
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
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.