For several years, we’ve been adding a boxed list of important points to many of the feature articles that appear in American Farriers Journal. We call these points, “Farrier Takeaways.”

In this article, you’ll find some of the best tips from articles that were featured during 2015, as well as the names of the hoof-care professionals who shared these ideas with AFJ readers. Use these top 50 tips as a reminder for yourself, as a source of information you can share with fellow hoof-care professionals and as a useful learning tool for the apprentices who work with you.

1 There are more similarities than differences in what farriers around the world are trying to accomplish — creating strong hoof capsules through controlling hoof distortion and focusing on medial-lateral and anterior and posterior balance.
— Grant Moon, Staffordshire, England

2 Avoid trimming the hoof wall too short at the quarters, which will cause the sole to flare.
— Bob Peacock, Hamilton, Ohio

3 Because subtle changes in a trim can have huge impacts, it’s essential that Standardbred shoers record toe lengths and hoof angles.
— Conny Svensson, East Windsor, N.J.

4 The combination of the shape of P3 and the shape of the arches determine the shape of the hoof capsule.
—Mike Savoldi, Shandon, Calif.

5 If black lines remain after trimming the bars, they haven’t been returned to their point of origin.
— Tab Pigg, Azle, Texas

6 A heel-first landing contributes to the highest peak accelerations and peak frequencies…