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American Farriers Journal

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May/June 2016

Volume: 42

Edition: 4

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

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Table Of Contents

Table Of Contents

Frankly Speaking: 3 Lessons On Managing Clients

By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Clients, Education

Back in January 2013, Delaware, Ohio, farrier Dean Moshier was invited to be on an online radio show Stable Scoop on Horse Radio Network. In it, he discussed a top 10 list of what most farriers wanted their clients to know. Over the last 3 years, these questions and answers have evolved, mainly influenced by client interactions within Moshier’s practice. He recently delivered this at the Midwest Horse Fair, which draws tens of thousands of equine enthusiasts to south-central Wisconsin every year.
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Briefings May/June 2016

May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Equipment, Forging, Diseases, Lamenesses, Nutrition

Lameness Occurs The Most Of All Equine Medical Problems

According to federal researchers, lameness has the highest annual incident density of all medical problems in horses, DVM360 Magazine reports. Half of all horse operations with five or more horses have one or more cases of lameness annually. Another federal report estimates lameness incidence at 7.5% to 13.7% annually.

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Letterbox: May/June 2016

Update On “Licensing” Effort

May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices

Progress continues in our work to define the professionalization of farriers. A few of us met and discussed many of the processes and permutations of the “Initiative to Professionalize the Practice of Equine Footcare and Farriery” in early March. We’ll meet in late summer, when progress can be assessed and new assignments undertaken.
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Contrary To Popular Opinion

Research indicates that the positive effects of particular shoe selection for Western Pleasure horses are guided by the perceptions of judges and trainers rather than reality

By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Shoeing

Many trainers and owners often try to convince a farrier to adopt a certain style of trimming or shoeing based on a myriad of factors. Sometimes the motivation comes from a belief that a particular change will improve the horse’s overall performance, resulting in better scores from judges.
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Shoeing For A Living

For the Love of Shoeing and Teaching

Ritner Goff emphasizes hard work and continuing education in his North Carolina multi-farrier practice

By Jeff Cota posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Diseases, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing

Just 4 months ago, Ritner Goff was ready to hang up his apron and call it a career after 30 years of shoeing horses.
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A Systematic Approach To Foot Infections

By Jeff Cota posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Clients, Education, Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

The interaction that the equine foot constantly has with the environment naturally makes it susceptible to injury or trauma.
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Understanding And Managing Quarter Cracks

California farriers offer their advice to achieve positive outcomes

By Christy Corp-Minamiji DMV posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

Tim Shannon has some succinct advice for farriers who deal with quarter cracks. “I’d suggest whoever wants to get into it to find somebody who knows a lot about [handling quarter cracks] to walk you through it,” advises the San Moreno, Calif., farrier. “There is a lot to crack repair.”

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Getting to the Bottom of Toe Cracks

Understanding what causes the problem is critical to correcting it

By Eric Gilleland CJF posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Lamenesses, Shoeing

Toe cracks come in different forms, but none of them look good. Some cracks are small, others are long up the wall. Some are deep and others are superficial. All of us have heard, “Can you fix that crack?” Some can be corrected, but others will die with the horse. The biggest thing we must learn is what causes the crack in the first place. It’s just as important to know where it comes from as to where it’s going.

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Lacing And Patching Cracks: Still Getting Horses Back Into Competition

Decades after Ian McKinlay patched his first crack, the New Jersey farrier still has success with the practice when the case dictates

By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Diseases, Therapeutic Shoeing

Growing up in Ontario, Ian McKinlay learned crack repair from his father J.C., a pioneer in the practice. J.C. McKinlay started repairing cracks in Ontario in the 1960s, primarily with Standardbreds at Toronto’s Greenwood Mohawk Racetrack and his farm. The younger McKinlay told attendees of the March Razerhorse clinic in Denton, Texas, that his late father would be amazed at how farriers have adapted his work in lacing and patching cracks.
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Why Equine Bones Break and Tendons Rupture

Understanding anatomy and physics can help prevent severe injuries

By Audrey Pavia | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Lamenesses

The life of one of the most promising racehorses of our time was cut short in 2006 after a long struggle to recover from a shattered fetlock. Barbaro’s injury at the Preakness Stakes and the New Bolton Center's heroic attempts to save him drew a lot of attention to the question of why so many young performance horses suffer from broken bones and ruptured tendons. Are these kinds of injuries inevitable? Should we give up trying to solve this problem?
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Products in Action, May/June 2016: Well-Shod "British Invasion"

July 8, 2016

Read Products in Action
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Boost Productivity With Better Scheduling

Plan a more efficient workday with these tips from experienced farriers

By Jeff Cota posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Scheduling clients is as high on the priority list only because it enables farriers to do what they really want to do — trim and shoe horses, not to mention make money.
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Farrier Q&A: May/June 2016

What are your criteria for selecting a pad to put on a horse? What type of pad and why?

May 9, 2016 | Posted in Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

A: The first question I ask is “Why?” Why affix a pad to the horse’s hoof? Is it necessary? What is my objective? Is it beneficial to the horse during the shoeing cycle? Will it aid in protection and relief? Is it needed for environmental reasons, such as rocky terrain? Or is there a therapeutic need for it — sole protection, pathology, ligament/tendon issues?
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Booknotes: An Unparalled Presentation Of Equine Anatomy

The Illustrated Horse’s Foot (A Comprehensive Guide)

By Travis Burns posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Education

The Illustrated Horse’s Foot (A Comprehensive Guide) is the latest book by veterinary surgeon and researcher Christopher C. Pollitt. Released in December 2015 by Elsevier as a follow-up to Pollit’s renowned book, Color Atlas of the Horse’s Foot, which is no longer in print. This 272-page book is a must-have for all equine practitioners specifically all farriers and equine veterinarians.

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Trimming To The Center Of Rotation

Wellington, Fla., farrier emphasizes the basics to evenly distribute stress

By Jeff Cota posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Diseases, Lamenesses, Trimming

It’s all about the trim. It’s a common refrain among farriers, but is the practice receiving its due diligence or is it merely lip service? In Fabio Gnoatto’s Wellington, Fla., practice, trimming is the mainstay.
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Be Part Of The Farriers Spotlight

We’re looking for more pictures and stories of our favorite hard workers for the 18th annual National Farriers Week

By Michelle Drewek posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Farriers work hard year-round to provide quality hoof care for horses worldwide. Although we hope appreciation is shown all year long, each year we set aside a week dedicated to honoring your work. The 18th annual National Farriers Week, sponsored by American Farriers Journal, will take place from July 10-16, 2016.
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Non-Metal Horseshoes: Knowing Why to Use Them is as Important as Knowing How

Flexibility, concussion dampening among benefits touted by developers and users of these products

By Pat Tearney posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Equipment, Shoeing

While non-metal horseshoes may never make up a huge share of the overall market, they have carved out a well-established niche that is substantial enough that it makes sense for farriers to know how and when to use them.
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Test Aluminum’s Heat Before Working With It

Aluminum holds its heat well, but are you working it at the correct temperature?

May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment, Forging

Aluminum stock remains a popular choice for a variety of horses, primarily due to its lighter weight. Another advantage is that aluminum can be shaped hot or cold. While the typical thinking might be that racing plates and lighter shoes will be shaped cold, and heavier aluminum shoes like those used for hunters and jumpers will be put in the forge, that also proves to be a matter of personal preference.
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Creating A Simple And Functional Workstation

California farrier maximizes time and money by converting air compressor trailer

By Jeff Cota posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

If you’re handy and looking to save money on a farrier rig, a do-it-yourself project might be the way to go. Both handy and looking to save money, Sam Fabila had big plans for a small U-Haul 3x5 box trailer that he converted into a rig.
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Shoptalk: Nationwide Racetrack Farrier’s Test Gets Mixed Reaction

May/June 2016

May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds

Research Journal: May/June 2016

The information, ideas and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Department of Agriculture.

By Albert Kane posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Nutrition, Therapeutic Shoeing

Joint Injections Compared Joint injections using corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid (HA) or a combination of the two are commonly used to treat synovitis and arthritis in performance horses. In this study, researchers compared the efficacy of one type of corticosteroid (triamcinolone acetate, TA) with and without HA for the treatment of lameness, localized to one limb only that responded to a diagnostic joint block. Eighty horses of various breeds were enrolled in the study with follow-up at 3 weeks by re-examining the horses and 3 months by an owner questionnaire. No other medications were permitted during the first 3 weeks of follow-up.
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Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Contrary To Popular Opinion

Research indicates that the positive effects of particular shoe selection for Western Pleasure horses are guided by the perceptions of judges and trainers rather than reality

By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Shoeing

Many trainers and owners often try to convince a farrier to adopt a certain style of trimming or shoeing based on a myriad of factors. Sometimes the motivation comes from a belief that a particular change will improve the horse’s overall performance, resulting in better scores from judges.
Read More

Test Aluminum’s Heat Before Working With It

Aluminum holds its heat well, but are you working it at the correct temperature?

May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment, Forging

Aluminum stock remains a popular choice for a variety of horses, primarily due to its lighter weight. Another advantage is that aluminum can be shaped hot or cold. While the typical thinking might be that racing plates and lighter shoes will be shaped cold, and heavier aluminum shoes like those used for hunters and jumpers will be put in the forge, that also proves to be a matter of personal preference.
Read More

Why Equine Bones Break and Tendons Rupture

Understanding anatomy and physics can help prevent severe injuries

By Audrey Pavia | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Lamenesses

The life of one of the most promising racehorses of our time was cut short in 2006 after a long struggle to recover from a shattered fetlock. Barbaro’s injury at the Preakness Stakes and the New Bolton Center's heroic attempts to save him drew a lot of attention to the question of why so many young performance horses suffer from broken bones and ruptured tendons. Are these kinds of injuries inevitable? Should we give up trying to solve this problem?
Read More
Digital Edition

Digital Edition

For Digital Subscribers: Login To Your Digital Flipbook Of The May/June 2016 Issue

May 9, 2016

Now view magazine-like digital flipbooks on your desktop and tablet. Starting in 2015 issues, included for FREE with your Digital or Premium subscription, view the magazine on your laptop, tablet, and mobile device. You need to be logged in to view.
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Online Extras
Online Extras
Online Extras: May/June 2016 Issue

May 9, 2016

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

Videos with Ritner Goff discussing his successful apprentice program

Videos with Ian McKinley detailing his process for lacing and patching cracks

Videos with Fabio Gnoatto talking about his trimming and shoeing philosophy

Information about the 2016 National Farriers Week and submitting your farrier tributes

Article about using a TIG welder

Video with Sam Fabilia showing his DIY farrier rig workstation

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Shoeing For A Living

[Video] Hiring Apprentices

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Burgaw, N.C., farrier Ritner Goff shares his advice for established farriers on hiring apprentices.
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Shoeing For A Living

[Video] Finding Apprentices

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Burgaw, N.C., farrier Ritner Goff explains how he finds good apprentices.
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Shoeing For A Living

[Video] Running An Apprentice Program

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Burgaw, N.C., farrier Ritner Goff explains how he operates his apprentice program.
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Shoeing For A Living

[Video] Apprentice Duties

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Burgaw, N.C., farrier Ritner Goff explains how he starts his apprentices and prepares them for a career in horseshoeing.
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Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] Lacing And Patching A Quarter Crack

May 9, 2016 | Posted in Shoeing

Ontario farrier Ian McKinlay demonstrates his process for cleaning, lacing and patching a quarter crack. This is a common practice he uses to get a horse back on the track.
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Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] The Importance of Evaluating a Foot

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Shoeing, Trimming

Wellington, Fla., farrier Fabio Gnoatto explains how and why he evaluates a foot before trimming and shoeing.
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Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] The Importance of Finding the Center of Rotation

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Shoeing, Trimming

Wellington, Fla., farrier Fabio Gnoatto explains how and why he finds and uses the center of rotation when shoeing a foot.
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Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] The Importance of Making a Plan

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Shoeing, Trimming

Wellington, Fla., farrier Fabio Gnoatto explains the importance of making a trimming and shoeing plan after evaluating the horse’s foot.
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Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] Shoe Size Selection

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Equipment, Shoeing

Wellington, Fla., farrier Fabio Gnoatto explains why he prefers selecting a bigger shoe.
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Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] Shoeing for Performance

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Shoeing

Wellington, Fla., farrier Fabio Gnoatto explains how he handles performance horse clients who lose shoes while they are not competing.
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Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] Getting the Client Involved in Hoof Care

May 2, 2016 | Posted in Clients, Diseases, Lamenesses

Wellington, Fla., farrier Fabio Gnoatto explains how he convinces clients to get involved in their horse’s hoof care in between farrier visits.
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News & Notes

Now Accepting Submissions For The 2016 Farriers Spotlight

We’re looking for tributes of our favorite hard workers for the 18th annual National Farriers Week

By Michelle Drewek posted on May 2, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Farriers work hard year-round to provide quality hoof care for horses worldwide. Although we hope appreciation is shown all year long, each year we set aside a week dedicated to honoring your work. The 18th annual National Farriers Week, sponsored by American Farriers Journal, will take place from July 10-16, 2016.
Read More

Working With Aluminum? Consider TIG Welding

Massachusetts farrier Mike Phillips finds that TIG welding can connect aluminum shoes and creative therapeutic applications

By Jeremy McGovern posted on December 1, 2013 | Posted in Forging

At the 2013 International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, veterinarians, researchers and farriers delivered talks that covered a wide range of topics covering biomechanics, pathologies and treatments.
Read More

Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] Creating A Do-It-Yourself Workstation

May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

Fiddletown, Calif., farrier Sam Fabilia details how he converted an old Ingersoll-Rand air compressor trailer into a simple and functional workstation.
Read More

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American Farriers Journal

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

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Iron Sharpens Iron in the Scenic City

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Special Report For Equine Veterinarians

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

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Must Read Free Eguides

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Hoof Care on Parade

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.

Events

Michigan Horseshoers Association 55th Annual Clinic

Date: 01/02/25

Location: Lansing, MI

The Michigan Horseshoers Association will host its 55th annual clinic Jan. 2-4, 2025 in East Lansing, Mich.

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Kawell USA

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.

SmartPak

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American Farriers Journal

May/June 2016

Table Of Contents

Featured Articles

Digital Edition

Online Extras

THIS MONTH'S DIGITAL SPONSORS:

Top Articles

Current Issue

Current Issue

Must Read Free Eguides

Videos

Events