Lilian Martinez’s dream came true.
“I’ve always loved horses and was lucky enough to own one when I was a child,” the Pernes-les-Bains, France, farrier told LaProvence in an article published June 6, 2014. “It was while watching the farrier that I had the spark.”

Modern shoeing materials can pose unique challenges. The learning curve can be steep and the price tag higher than steel, but sometimes the horse’s needs require farriers to think outside the box.

The San Francisco Bay Area is among the true American equine hot spots. The diversity of breeds and disciplines ensures plenty of hoof-care work in an area with a considerable concentration of wealthy clients who make their living in the high-tech hub known for being the home of such giants as Intel, Cisco, Meta, Apple and Google.

When glue-on shoes are the best option to keep a horse comfortable and on its feet, it’s crucial to know how to apply them properly. At the 2025 International Hoof-Care Summit, Port Orange, Fla., farrier Roy Verocay demonstrates the correct application of Glue-U’s GluShu.

Low, weak heels can cause significant issues for both performance horses and the pleasure horse. The issues relating to low, weak heels do not isolate themselves to only the hoof.

For some horses, sedation during hoof care is necessary. It can be dangerous for the farrier and the horse if it’s not properly acclimated to being in cross-ties, having its feet lifted, being shod or several other indeterminate factors unique to each horse.

The 2025 show season is moving forward under current regulations after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) is delaying implementation of the 2024 Horse Protection Act (HPA) Final Rule until Feb. 1, 2026.