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International Hoof-Care Summit Speaker Update
Circle February 2 - 5, 2010, On Your Calendar...
Watch for exciting speakers and topics to be announced in the future!
2 Super Speakers, 8 Great Topics
An outstanding farrier from Scotland and a popular hoof researcher from Canada are already lined up as part of the in-depth program at next winter’s seventh annual International Hoof-Care Summit.
By Frank Lessiter, Editor/Publisher
The program for next winter’s International Hoof-care Summit is already starting to take shape. The dates for this seventh annual event are Feb. 2 to 5, 2010, and the location is Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Latest Biomechanical Solutions
Jeff Thomason, a researcher at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, and a world-renown researcher on equine biomechanics, will offer an in-depth look at several topics that will be of special interest to footcare professionals.
• “Biomechanics Of Impact, Support And Breakover.” The researcher in Guelph’s Department of Biomedical Sciences will analyze the impact of both shoes and surfaces on biomechanics. His presentation will also offer an in-depth update on important new research being conducted between now and next winter’s Summit.
• “Functional Anatomy Of The Foot.” Having set the scene with the previous topic on the types of mechanical abuse that the hoof experiences, Thomason will follow-up on related footcare experiences from the perspective of the anatomy of the foot.
He’ll analyze the anatomical components of the hoof and explain which are most important during each phase of the stance. You’ll learn how each hoof component handles which aspect of the abuse, along with the critical impact of evaluating various types of shoes.
“This talk should clearly lay out what we know and do not know about the hoof as a machine,” says Thomason. “The aim is to continue to make the science relevant and applicable to farriers and equine veterinarians.”
• “Mechanical Principles And Leg Anatomy.” This presentation will build on the previous topic, but will stress the latest research data that relates to the whole limb rather than just the foot.
• “Answers To Your Most-Pressing Biomechanical Input Concerns.” In addition, Thomason will moderate a Hoof-Care Roundtable where Summit attendees can discuss any biomechanical concepts that they are having difficulty working with. For each question, he’ll offer instant solutions backed up with right-to-the-point diagrams that are quickly drawn on a blackboard during this Hoof-Care Roundtable.
Latest Shoeing Ideas
Jim Ferrie and his brother, Allan, run a successful multi-farrier business in Newmilns, Scotland, that offers both therapeutic and hunter shoeing specialties. They’ve built a solid reputation working with lame horses.
• “Shoeing Around The Coffin Joint.” Ferrie says this is one of his favorite topics when it comes to sharing information with farriers and equine vets. “I have also taken spiral shoeing forward over the past 4 years and have good material on that subject that will be incorporated into this coffin joint lecture,” he says.
• “Shoeing For Hoof Fractures.” Ferrie will share many successes with the use of the cuff shoe in dealing with both hoof and other types of fractures within the hoof capsule.
• “Field-Tested Laminitis Strategies That Work.” “I have my own views on laminitis which are certainly not at all controversial, but represent a number of sound basic principles with some modern gizmos thrown in that have worked very well for us,” says Ferrie.
• “Keys For Success In Running A Multi-Farrier Business.” Ferrie will also moderate a Hoof-Care Roundtable on how to establish and efficiently operate a multi-farrier business.
The family business sometimes employs a dozen farriers and apprentices to handle the footcare needs of over 1,800 horses. You’ll leave this session with new insights on the pros and cons of operating a multi-farrier business.
More Summit Details Coming Shortly
Watch future AFJ issues and our AFJ Web site for full details on more than 40 speakers that will be part of next winter’s seventh annual International Hoof-Care Summit.
“Every Time You Come Here, I Learn Something New”
“One of my longest-time footcare clients has been making that comment to me for the past 9 years. I’m fortunate to have clients who will do just about anything to keep their horses and my best advice is to educate your horse owners.
“I promote the fact that I invest heavily in my education, such as attending the International Hoof-Care Summit each year. I let clients know that I probably invest more time and dollars in continuing education than their vets. Letting them know about my investment in continuing education adds more weight to the many ideas on all aspects of horse care that I share with them.
“When I explained to a client recently about the need to increase my prices after she told me how she was trying to make cutbacks, she replied: ‘Well, you get what you pay for.’ My response was, ‘Thank you, for recognizing the effort I make to give your horse the best possible care.’
“I’ve increased my prices this year and haven’t lost a single client. I’m having an unusual spring, as the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.
“The key is what we’ve heard echoed again and again at the International Hoof-Care Summit: emphasize value-based clients. It’s clearly worth taking extra time to fully explain to the client what I’m trying to accomplish with their horse and what I’ve learned at the Summit.”
– Dean Moshier, Ostrander, Ohio
Click here to register online for the Summit.
Click here to download a Registration form in PDF format.
Click here to download the 12-page 2010 Summit program in PDF format.
Click here for the 2010 Exibitors Contract form.
Click here if you're planning to fly to Cincinnati. You can check out the airfare discount offer from Northwest and Delta.
Click here if you need to download Adobe Acrobat.
For more information, email Alice.
