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American Farriers Journal

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September/October 2015

Volume: 41

Edition: 6

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

The U.S. Equine Industry Is Gearing Up For A Comeback

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices

Results from recent surveys of both horse owners and farriers indicate there are more positive signs for growth in the equine industry than we’ve seen in nearly a decade. While we’re not yet ready for a return to the glory times that took place prior to the 2008 recession, there’s data to indicate better times are ahead for farriers, footcare product suppliers, horse owners and trainers alike.
Read More

Briefings

September 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment, Diseases

Like other farriers, Mike Bagley was getting client calls from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. Understandably, it is hard to keep your cool when it seems like clients don’t respect your private time. Now the Canton, Ohio, farrier leaves it to his voicemail to help. The voicemail greeting states his hours of contact and informs the caller that he does not work on Sundays. “By limiting the times I take calls I’m adding a human element to myself,” he says. “It tells them in a subtle way that I am human too and need my time away from work like anyone else does.”
Read More

Shoeing for a Living

Staying One Step Ahead

Preparing for volatile changes in seasonal climates pays off with better feet for Oklahoma farrier

By Jeff Cota posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Clients, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing

Large, fluffy clouds dot the blue skies over northeastern Oklahoma in late May. A beautiful day like this is fairly typical shoeing weather for Chelsea, Okla., farrier Craig Stark.
Read More

Labor Law Shift Could Change Your Business

Some farriers at risk of losing their independent contractor status

By Buck O'Neil posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education

In response to numerous complaints from workers alleging they are misclassified as independent contractors, the United States Department of Labor recently issued an interpretation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Read More

Aluminum Stock And A Rasp Make A New Forging Challenge

The 2016 Summit Mail-In Forging Competition requires making an aluminum shoe with a steel bar made from a rasp

By Chris Gregory posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Forging

Last year, Victory sponsored the first annual Summit Mail-In Forging Competition in which the shoe was a hammer-finished, jump-welded heart bar.
Read More

Shoeing for Hind End Lamenesses

Keeping horses sound when normal shoeing isn’t enough

By Red Renchin posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

When discussion turns to equine lameness issues, invariably the front feet and legs get the lion’s share of attention.
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The first in a series of articles about licensing, standards and ownership of the farriery trade

Are Farriers Losing Control Of The Footcare Game?

Some industry leaders believe it’s time to establish hoof-care quality and control standards before someone else does

By Jeff Cota posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Business Practices, Education

Mitch Taylor stands in the glare of the spotlight, holding an equine cadaver limb.
Read More

Celebrating 40 Remarkable Years

Equine footcare has seen many significant changes over the past 4 decades

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Back in March of 1975, Henry Heymering mailed out the first issue of American Farriers Journal. Both the original 8-page issue (printed in its entirety starting at right) and the farrier industry have come a long way over the past 40 years.
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An Ever Evolving Industry

The past 40 years of farriery have witnessed important changes in the business practices of the trade

September 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

Hoof care has undergone a multitude of changes ever since the ancients domesticated the horse and assumed its responsibility. However, the last 40 years are arguably one of the most significant periods in its growth than any other 4-decade span. This time witnessed dramatic changes in how farriers work with one another, and saw unrivaled technological advancements.
Read More

Hoof-Care Email Q&A: What techniques do you use to get the most horses out of a rasp?

September 1, 2015 | Posted in Equipment

A: To get more horses out of my rasps, I stage them. The newest is used just for trimming. Once it dulls, it’s used for dressing. The next level of dull it gets used to dress a shoe in place or at the anvil.
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Casting As An Option In The Farrier’s Toolbox

Practitioners believe that poor practices can lead to some farriers’ misunderstandings and misgivings about the modality

By Jeremy McGovern posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

When it comes to the horse’s hoof, Ramona, Calif., footcare practitioner John Stewart says there is only one topic that incites more disagreements: religion. If that is the case, casting’s use is one of those areas in hoof care in which there are strong opinions among the believers and those who don’t.
Read More

Flip-Flops Gaining Foothold In Show World

New York farrier shares some advantages and disadvantages of the pad

By Jeff Cota posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Equipment, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

Flip-flops are the footwear of choice for a great number of people around the world. Now, they are becoming increasingly popular in the equine world, as well.
Read More

Improve Your Efficiency and Productivity

Save time, energy and money with these must-have products

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

Sure, it’s an old cliché. Yet, it’s as true today as when it first appeared in 1719 within the pages of The Free-Thinker, a popular periodical of the day.
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Educating Clients On The Arthritic Horse

New owners may not be aware of what can be done for a stiff and sore animal

By Heather Smith Thomas posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Clients, Education, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

Novice horse owners may not realize that older horses — and even some horses in their prime — often develop arthritis, or joint inflammation. Painful, stiff joints can be managed to keep most of these horses comfortable enough to continue performing.
Read More

Spotlight On Footcare: Colorado Classic Gives Everyone A Chance To Participate

Farriers of all experience levels gathered to test their forging skills and stay sharp at the anvil

By Jaime Elftman posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Education, Forging

High up in the mountain city of Kremmling, Colo., alongside the Colorado River, the Rocky Mountain Farriers Association held the fourth annual Colorado Classic Clinic and Contest.
Read More

Shop Talk: Kerckhaert Acquires Diamond Farrier Division From Apex

September 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices

Farrier Product Distribution (FPD) announced in mid July that the Royal Kerckhaert Horseshoe Factory had acquired the Diamond farrier division from Apex Tool Group (ATG).
Read More

Research Journal: Septic And Carbohydrate Overload Laminitis

By Albert Kane posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Diseases

An experimental study with 22 ponies was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding a diet high in nonstructural carbohydrates (starch) on the laminae of lean ponies compared with obese ponies. The ponies were sorted into lean (body condition ≤4) and obese (body condition ≥7) groups and half of each group was fed either a low starch hay diet or a high starch diet with added sweet feed and plant sugars. After 7 days, laminar tissue samples were collected and analyzed to measure the activity of naturally occurring substances that trigger inflammation (inflammatory mediators) and the expression of genes that control inflammation.
Read More
Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Shoeing for a Living

Staying One Step Ahead

Preparing for volatile changes in seasonal climates pays off with better feet for Oklahoma farrier

By Jeff Cota posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Clients, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing

Large, fluffy clouds dot the blue skies over northeastern Oklahoma in late May. A beautiful day like this is fairly typical shoeing weather for Chelsea, Okla., farrier Craig Stark.
Read More

An Ever Evolving Industry

The past 40 years of farriery have witnessed important changes in the business practices of the trade

September 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

Hoof care has undergone a multitude of changes ever since the ancients domesticated the horse and assumed its responsibility. However, the last 40 years are arguably one of the most significant periods in its growth than any other 4-decade span. This time witnessed dramatic changes in how farriers work with one another, and saw unrivaled technological advancements.
Read More

Frankly Speaking

The U.S. Equine Industry Is Gearing Up For A Comeback

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 1, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices

Results from recent surveys of both horse owners and farriers indicate there are more positive signs for growth in the equine industry than we’ve seen in nearly a decade. While we’re not yet ready for a return to the glory times that took place prior to the 2008 recession, there’s data to indicate better times are ahead for farriers, footcare product suppliers, horse owners and trainers alike.
Read More
Digital Edition

Digital Edition

For Digital Subscribers: Login To Your Digital Flipbook Of The September/October 2015 Issue

September 7, 2015

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: September/October 2015 Issue

September 8, 2015

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

A summary of veterinary practice acts for each of the U.S. states

A look back at when some of the greatest farriers first contributed to AFJ

A tour of Lee Liles' National Museum of Horse Shoeing Tools

Shoeing products that lacked lasting power

Insight on using casting from farrier Bryan Baire

Tips for optimizing joint comfort in arthritic horses

Read More
Web-Exclusive Feature

Veterinary Practice Act Summaries

By Jeff Cota posted on September 16, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices

It’s critical that you know and understand the veterinary practice acts (VPA) in the states in which you perform your farriery work.
Read More

35 Great Debuts

Here’s a look at when some of the greatest farriers first contributed to American Farriers Journal

By Pat Tearney posted on July 1, 2010 | Posted in Business Practices

While working on this 35th Anniversary issue of American Farriers Journal, I've been paging through back issues. At times I can almost feel the heat of the forges and hear the distant echo of hammer ringing on steel.
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35 More Farriers Who Helped Make AFJ What It Is Today

We continue our search through the archives to recall the first appearances in our magazine’s pages of some of hoof-care’s best

By Pat Tearney posted on November 1, 2010 | Posted in Business Practices

We continue our search through the archives to recall the first appearances in our magazine’s pages of some of hoof-care’s best
Read More

Web-Exclusive Article

Quick Tips For Casting

This advice could help any farrier interested in trying casting.

April 7, 2016 | Posted in Equipment

These quick tips could help any farrier interested in trying casting.
Read More

Web-Exclusive Feature

Optimize Joint Comfort For Arthritic Horses

By Heather Smith Thomas posted on September 9, 2015 | Posted in Equipment, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

Paul Goodness, chief of Farrier Services at Virginia Tech’s Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va., says there are many therapeutic farrier options that can be employed, as well as different types of shoes that might help if conformation of the hoof is not good.
Read More

THIS MONTH'S DIGITAL SPONSORS:

Current Issue

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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A Cost-Effective Way to Fight Equine Hoof Diseases

What are the 4 Lengths of Horses’ Feet?

Does New Labor Rule Alter Your Multi-Farrier Practice?

Current Issue

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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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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.

Events

EMS (IR) and PPID: Diagnosis and Management (Part 1) Webinar

Date: 02/26/24

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Metabolic Disorders in Horses Part I Webinar.

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Top Directory Listings

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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

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.

American Farriers Journal

September/October 2015

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