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American Farriers Journal

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January/February 2017

Volume: 43
Edition: 1

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

  • Table Of Contents

    Table Of Contents

    Frankly Speaking: Looking At The Generation Gap

    By Jeremy McGovern posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Education
    There is a responsibility of each generation to complain about the younger ones they share Earth with. In general society, the older generations criticize the younger for a perceived softness, lack of drive and work ethic. The younger likes to slam the older for being stuck in their ways and being the cause for why things are bad.
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    Letterbox: January/February 2017

    January 2, 2017 | Posted in Education, Shoeing
    Where's The Common Sense? I enjoyed the recent online story on americanfarriers.com about putting the horse first — after all, the horse is the client. My concept of our trade as being viewed as "cure"smiths, is due to the mindset acquired through all my experiences:
    Read More
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    Nothing Routine About Hoof Avulsions

    Iowa farrier explains how to approach these tough cases, as well as supporting and protecting the foot
    By Jeff Cota posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Anatomy, Clients, Education, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing
    There’s nothing routine about hoof avulsion. There is a wide range of types and severities of hoof avulsions that a farrier might be presented with. They might be a result of trauma or because a farrier had to resect hoof wall to rid it of white line disease. They might come as an acute injury or be chronic in nature.
    Read More
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    A Balanced Approach To Hoof Care

    Ontario farriers Russ and Katie Gaudet bring individual strengths in a team approach for their clients’ horses
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on January 2, 2017
    In some marriages, a spouse knows with amazing accuracy what the other is thinking without that person telling them. Their clairvoyance is earned by building familiarity with the other person so much so that their thought patterns become predictable. In farriery, there are a few married couples where either spouse can look at a trimmed foot and recognize the approach in their partner’s trimming or shoeing work.
    Read More
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    Evaluating Static And Dynamic Balance

    California equine vet and farrier shares his systematic approach
    By Jeff Cota posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Equipment
    Hoof balance is one of those topics that many footcare professionals want to learn more about, but don’t necessarily want to lead the discussion. “Hoof balance are two words that we learn not to use as much as possible,” equine veterinarian and farrier Mark Silverman told attendees at the 2016 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio. “It’s almost impossible to come up with a consensus on how to go about addressing this issue.”
    Read More
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    Vet, Farrier Tackle Tough Abscess Case

    Retired barrel racing horse suffers severe bruising, abscesses after pulling shoes
    By Jeff Cota posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Anatomy, Disciplines & Breeds, Equipment, Forging, Lamenesses, Safety & Healthcare, Therapeutic Shoeing
    RW’s job was done and his shoes were pulled. After years of racing around barrels in cloverleaf patterns, it was time for the sorrel Quarter Horse with a white blaze to take it easy and enjoy the good life in Southwest Tennessee.
    Read More
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    Marketing Your Practice Made Easy

    Incorporate intangibles into your everyday work to boost clientele
    By Jeff Cota posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients
    Attracting clients can be difficult for any service-oriented business. Plying your trade in a relatively small niche market, such as equine hoof care, can make those challenges even greater — especially when you’re launching a new practice or starting over in a new area.
    Read More
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    What Makes A Good Clip?

    Farriers offer critical advice on how to properly apply clipped shoes
    By Jeff Cota posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Clients, Education, Forging, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming
    When a well-clipped shoe is applied correctly, it sure looks sharp on a horse’s hoof. Some farriers will even go so far as to call them sexy. Proclivities aside, they serve an important function. “Clips are mainly used to improve the security of the shoe on the foot and relieve stress on the nails,” says Tucumcari, N.M., farrier Jim Keith. “They can be applied anywhere around the wall perimeter, but usually only in the anterior half due to their ability to constrict wall movement. They may be used to contain wall flares.”
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    The Broad Application Of Duckett’s Dot

    In a follow-up article, Hall Of Fame farrier David Duckett discusses how his theory still helps seeing beyond everyday work
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Anatomy, Trimming
    The December 2016 issue of American Farrier’s Journal featured the article, “A Prelude To Understanding Duckett’s Dot.” Based on a presentation delivered at the 2016 Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Symposium in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Duckett touched on the history and principles of his work on the Dot.
    Read More
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    What caught your attention in 2016

    Check out the “most viewed” content from American Farriers Journal’s digital media platforms
    January 2, 2017 | Posted in Anatomy, Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Diseases, Lamenesses, Nutrition, Safety & Healthcare, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming
    The ball has dropped. Toasts have been made. Another year has passed. Father Time has relinquished his mantle to Baby New Year. But before running headlong into 2017, it’s a good time to reflect upon 2016. After all, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
    Read More

    Quick-Hit Highlights From The American Association Of Equine Practitioners Convention

    Equine veterinarians share research and thoughts on various subjects on equine foot and limb health, primarily related to their use of magnetic resonance imaging
    January 2, 2017 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Safety & Healthcare
    Nearly 2,500 equine veterinarians gathered in Orlando, Fla., in early December 2016 to discuss all aspects of equine health at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention. Even among the foot and limb, there is a wide variety of topics surveyed during the gathering. However, among those presentations and discussions, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and soft tissue injuries received a great deal of attention among those interested in the foot and limb.
    Read More
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    Changes Come To AFA Certification Process

    American Farrier’s Association to require examiners and testers to re-certify every 2 years
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Education
    Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.” Following this insight from the late entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn, the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) Board of Directors has taken measures toward making sure the word “consistent” will be often associated with AFA certification.
    Read More

    Shop Talk: AAPF Awards Three Roy Bloom Scholarships

    January 2, 2017 | Posted in Anatomy, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Equipment, Forging, Diseases, Lamenesses
    A trio of farriers earned a trip to the 2017 International Hoof-Care Summit after the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF) awarded them Roy Bloom Scholarships. Carlina Grey of Plymouth, Calif.; Gabe Griffin of Orangevale, Calif.; and Marc Condrey of Bumpass, Va., successfully completed the application requirements. They were required to submit one of the following options:
    Read More

    Research Journal: January/February 2017

    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 January 2, 2017 | Posted in Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing
    Asymmetry In Polo Horses In the United Kingdom, researchers examined movement asymmetry in-hand at the trot in 60 polo horses using wireless inertial measurement devices attached to the poll and pelvis. The horses were selected from those actively in training at three different operations.
    Read More
  • Featured Articles

    Featured Articles

    Open.jpg

    Nothing Routine About Hoof Avulsions

    Iowa farrier explains how to approach these tough cases, as well as supporting and protecting the foot
    By Jeff Cota posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Anatomy, Clients, Education, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing
    There’s nothing routine about hoof avulsion. There is a wide range of types and severities of hoof avulsions that a farrier might be presented with. They might be a result of trauma or because a farrier had to resect hoof wall to rid it of white line disease. They might come as an acute injury or be chronic in nature.
    Read More
    Open_SFL_Gaudet_AFJ_0117.jpg

    A Balanced Approach To Hoof Care

    Ontario farriers Russ and Katie Gaudet bring individual strengths in a team approach for their clients’ horses
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on January 2, 2017
    In some marriages, a spouse knows with amazing accuracy what the other is thinking without that person telling them. Their clairvoyance is earned by building familiarity with the other person so much so that their thought patterns become predictable. In farriery, there are a few married couples where either spouse can look at a trimmed foot and recognize the approach in their partner’s trimming or shoeing work.
    Read More
    Graceland_JC_0915_LP3_9453.jpg

    Vet, Farrier Tackle Tough Abscess Case

    Retired barrel racing horse suffers severe bruising, abscesses after pulling shoes
    By Jeff Cota posted on January 2, 2017 | Posted in Anatomy, Disciplines & Breeds, Equipment, Forging, Lamenesses, Safety & Healthcare, Therapeutic Shoeing
    RW’s job was done and his shoes were pulled. After years of racing around barrels in cloverleaf patterns, it was time for the sorrel Quarter Horse with a white blaze to take it easy and enjoy the good life in Southwest Tennessee.
    Read More
  • Digital Edition

    Digital Edition

  • Online Extras

    Online Extras

    Online Hoof-Care Classrooms

    Treating Hoof Avulsions

    October 6, 2012 | Posted in Education, Diseases
    Hoof avulsions are difficult to treat. Iowa farrier Jeff Ridley discusses how to approach the issue, get the veterinarian involved and properly support and protect the foot. He presents case studies to support his reasoning behind treatment.
    Read More

    Duckett Vs. Russell

    Similar or not, comparing the hoof balancing ideas William Russell used almost 100 years ago and those advocated today by David Duckett have resulted in considerable confusion
    By Matthew Taimuty posted on March 1, 1999 | Posted in Shoeing
    Disagreement exists on many aspects of the science of farriery and some of the most heated debate has centered around principles of hoof balance. Recently two names have come to the forefront of this debate: Professor William Russell and Dave Duckett, a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers.
    Read More

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Farrier Education: Heartland Horseshoeing School

Farrier Education: Heartland Horseshoeing School

Farriery requires knowledge and skills to provide proper equine hoof care. In this series, sponsored by VICTORY, American Farriers Journal visits Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo. In this edition, Chris Gregory discussed his journey to becoming an educator, his focus in teaching farrier students and the state of farrier education.

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Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
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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.
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SmartPak

From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.
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