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American Farriers Journal

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November 2016

Volume: 42

Edition: 7

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: A New Boogeyman Emerges

By Jeremy McGovern posted on November 7, 2016

The boogeyman of regulation looms over the farrier profession in the United States. And much like the mythical figure used to scare children, there are various forms of the farriery boogeyman. Every few years, new concerns over licensing reemerge, leaving many to wonder whether any state or federal agency will register and qualify farriers beyond the race track. None have.
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Briefings: November 2016

November 7, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Lamenesses, Safety & Healthcare

Acupuncture Does Not Modulate Palmar Heel Pain Many owners of horses with palmar heel pain explore a number of ways to relieve the discomfort, including acupuncture. Research from the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine and published in The Canadian Veterinary Journal finds that acupuncture appears to relieve the pain in some, but not all horses.
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Letterbox: November 2016

November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds

Editor’s note: In July 2016, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed changes to the Horse Protection Act (HPA). The intended purpose of these proposals was to combat soring. Previous attempts to address soring through legislation have stalled in Congress. The USDA would bypass the legislative process by instituting these changes. To read these changes, visit americanfarriers.com/usda.
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2016 Farrier Business Practices Survey

How Does Your Business Measure Up?

Data gleaned from the only industry-wide benchmark survey of its kind let you compare your business with other footcare operations

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education

Data from the exclusive American Farriers Journal “Farrier Business Practices” survey offers essential information to help you evaluate how well your business compares with those of other footcare professionals. Compiled every 2 years, farriers not only use this data for business analysis purposes, but also rely on this data when raising trimming and shoeing prices.
Read More

Molding Better Backyard Horse Clients

Communication and motivating owners are keys to managing hoof care

By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education

One of the stone cold, lead pipe locks in the industry is that the overwhelming majority of farriers work on backyard horses. Only 8% of all farriers do not have a single backyard horse client, according to American Farriers Journal’s 2016 Farrier Business Practices Survey, which starts on Page 22. That percentage has not moved appreciably in 14 years. It’s a safe bet that the needle won’t move in the foreseeable future.
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Farrier Shop Loyalty Has Its Rewards

Farriers enjoy a multitude of benefits when ordering from one supplier

By Adam Wynbrandt posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

I like to surround myself with people in the industry who have the same passion, loyalty and integrity as I do. When it comes to buying supplies, it baffles me that farriers don’t buy from the same shop each time simply because of the tremendous advantages that you can reap.
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So It’s Time To Sell Your Farrier Business

If you’re thinking about retirement or switching occupations, determining the value of your footcare business isn’t easy

By Buck O'Neil posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

The sale of any business is complicated, and selling a small, personal-service business like a farrier practice that is built around developing successful client relationships is even more difficult. A business sale is composed of two parties exchanging assets that they agree are of similar value. In this case, this usually would mean paying all cash or coming up with some type of a combination of a cash payment plus an earn-out arrangement when purchasing a farrier business.
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Good Ideas To Improve Your Rig

Farriers, manufacturers share tips to make your job easier

By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment

When a farrier starts opening up a shoeing rig at a clinic, a curious thing occurs. The stories that are being swapped among the small pockets of congregants in the parking lot begin to lose their allure, and an easygoing migration begins. Like moths to a flame, farriers can’t resist checking out someone else’s shoeing rig. They amble on over, greet the farrier who graciously offers the welcome distraction and casually explore the mobile office.
Read More

Quick and Easy Exercises that Will Prolong Your Career

A farrier and physical trainer shares brief advice that focuses on exercises and nutrition essential to a farrier’s fitness

By Shon Callahan posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Safety & Healthcare

There are few professions tougher mentally or physically than being a professional farrier. I believe the only job remotely close would be that of a professional athlete. The daily repetitive nature of the job and an awkward working posture definitely take their toll on the farrier’s and athlete’s body.
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Avoid Undesirable Clients By Asking These 6 Questions

Red Velvet Rope Policy guards Wisconsin farrier’s hoof-care practice from troublesome horse owners

By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Surviving the rigors of the farrier industry often relies on whether you can build a clientele that helps to make ends meet. On the other hand, the survival of your sanity often depends upon the quality of your clientele, rather than the quantity.
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Reprinted with permission from Equine Veterinary Education (EVE). Original published in Equine Veterinary Education Vol 28 June 2016.

Various Aspects Of Barefoot Methodology Relevant To Farriery

This thorough review will help you analyze and plan for transitioning a horse from shod to barefoot

By Stephen O’Grady posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Trimming

The structures of the equine foot have the unique ability to adapt, change shape and restore. There are multiple beneﬁts in shod vs. barefoot or in allowing the horse to be without shoes for a given time period to improve the palmar section of the foot.
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Getting A Handle On Hammers

Selecting, maintaining and using one of the most important tools in your box

By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment, Forging

What do a hammer handle and a wooden spoke from an Amish buggy have in common? For Hall Of Fame farrier Roy Bloom, both represent quality and durability.
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Don’t Let Quarter Cracks Slow Your Clients

Understand the pitfalls for better patching of performance horses

By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

Understanding how quarter cracks occur is critical to managing the injury, not to mention keeping the horse going. Wellington, Fla., farrier Curtis Burns classifies quarter cracks into three categories — concussion, rotational and blunt trauma.
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AAPF/IAPF Launches Credentialing Program

Renewable, stackable process aims to educate farriers, vets and horse owners

By Marc van der Rest and Tim Cable posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education

Since its inception, the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF) Board of Directors identified the need for a program that recognizes the knowledge, education and skills of its members. Four years later, that need was met with the launch of its farrier credential program.
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Featured Articles

Featured Articles

2016 Farrier Business Practices Survey

How Does Your Business Measure Up?

Data gleaned from the only industry-wide benchmark survey of its kind let you compare your business with other footcare operations

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education

Data from the exclusive American Farriers Journal “Farrier Business Practices” survey offers essential information to help you evaluate how well your business compares with those of other footcare professionals. Compiled every 2 years, farriers not only use this data for business analysis purposes, but also rely on this data when raising trimming and shoeing prices.
Read More

Molding Better Backyard Horse Clients

Communication and motivating owners are keys to managing hoof care

By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education

One of the stone cold, lead pipe locks in the industry is that the overwhelming majority of farriers work on backyard horses. Only 8% of all farriers do not have a single backyard horse client, according to American Farriers Journal’s 2016 Farrier Business Practices Survey, which starts on Page 22. That percentage has not moved appreciably in 14 years. It’s a safe bet that the needle won’t move in the foreseeable future.
Read More

Good Ideas To Improve Your Rig

Farriers, manufacturers share tips to make your job easier

By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment

When a farrier starts opening up a shoeing rig at a clinic, a curious thing occurs. The stories that are being swapped among the small pockets of congregants in the parking lot begin to lose their allure, and an easygoing migration begins. Like moths to a flame, farriers can’t resist checking out someone else’s shoeing rig. They amble on over, greet the farrier who graciously offers the welcome distraction and casually explore the mobile office.
Read More
Digital Edition

Digital Edition

For Digital Subscribers: Login To Your Digital Flipbook Of The November 2016 Issue

November 7, 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: November 2016 Issue

November 7, 2016

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

Video demonstrating how to maximize rig space and propane capacity

Stretching exercises that will keep you in business

Undesirable clients and how to fire them

Barefoot vs. shod?

Tool tip videos with Roy Bloom

Video of Curtis Burns demonstrating a crack

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Farrier Quick Takes

Maximizing Rig Space & Propane Capacity

November 21, 2016 | Posted in Equipment

Lexington, N.C., farrier Jimmy Petty explains how he has set up his rig to maximize his time and propane supply for his forge.
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It’s Tough to Do, but Think of Back Pain as Your Friend

It protects you, alerts you to the danger of further injury and makes you move, think and behave differently in your hoof-care work

By Karl Shewmake posted on November 1, 2009 | Posted in Safety & Healthcare

Being fearful of back pain is fine since your farrier business depends on getting under horses each day. While back pain is significant, it is often not due to the fact that you did something wrong, lifted wrong, lifted too much weight or had a bad stance.
Read More

Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] Two Exercises For Your Back

December 11, 2016 | Posted in Safety & Healthcare

Karl Shewmake is a farrier and MD. In this video, he shows two exercises for strengthening your back.
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Farrier Quick Takes

[Video] Preparing Your Back For A Day Of Working With Horses

November 5, 2009 | Posted in Safety & Healthcare

Stevens Point, Wis., MD and farrier Karl Shewmake explains why farriers should stretch before the first horse of the day. He demonstrates some back exercises that are helpful for farriers....
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Poll: Firing Clients

November 1, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

What is the number 1 reason that you fire a client?
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Web-Exclusive Feature

What If You Have to Fire a Client?

By Jeff Cota posted on December 22, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Ridgeland, Wis., farrier Justin Mundt also has scripts that he delivers to clients whom he must fire for one reason or another.
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Vet's Corner

Barefoot Versus Shod?

It depends...

By Stephen O’Grady posted on January 1, 2007 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing

The choice of having horses go barefoot vs. shod was a topic that was discussed in December during the annual meeting of the American Association of Equine Practitioners in San Antonio, Texas. It generated very informative dialog and many important questions.
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Farrier Quick Takes (Roy Bloom): How To Sharpen Nippers

November 22, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment

International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Roy Bloom demonstrates how to sharpen nippers.
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Farrier Quick Takes (Roy Bloom): Are You Properly Using Tongs?

November 22, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment

International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Roy Bloom demonstrates how to properly use tongs.
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Farrier Quick Takes (Roy Bloom): Making Sense Of Grinding Belts

November 22, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment

International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Roy Bloom explains the differences between some popular grinding belts.
Read More

Farrier Quick Takes (Roy Bloom): Make Your Hammer Handle Work For You

November 22, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment

International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Roy Bloom discusses how to select the proper hammer handle and how to maintain it.
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Farrier Quick Takes (Roy Bloom): Are You Using Crease Nail Pullers Correctly?

November 22, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment

International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Roy Bloom explains how to properly use crease nail pullers.
Read More

Farrier Quick Takes (Roy Bloom): Maintaining Proper Mechanics At The Anvil

November 22, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment

International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Roy Bloom demonstrates proper mechanics at the anvil.
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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American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

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In this episode, Mark Ellis, a Wisconsin farrier who learned the ropes with Renchin, recalls Red’s relationships with area veterinarians, his legacy and the second career as American Farriers Journal’s technical editor.

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

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SmartPak

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American Farriers Journal

November 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