Michigan Horseshoers Association 55th Annual Clinic
Date: 01/02/25
Location: Lansing, MI
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For farrier Steve McConnell, the day his life changed started out like any other. One moment, the Waterford, Ontario, native was absorbed in the ordinary task of fueling his shoeing rig for the week; the next, he was drowning in a powerful vortex of emotions and memories he’d spent years trying to forget.
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Farrier Resources
Hoof-Care 101
Feeling overwhelmed?
Start with these information-packed articles hand-picked by our editors:
Dealing with Thrush and White Line Disease
Combining topical treatments with good hoof care will help you keep these common problems under control.
Why Equine Bones Break and Tendons Rupture
Understanding anatomy and physics can help prevent severe injuries.
Use Sugar to Treat Those Nasty Hoof Wound Injuries
The remarkable use of sugardine is now accepted more frequently by many veterinarians and farriers because of successful results and its economic significance.
Cryotherapy’s Role in Helping Lame Horses
Researchers examine cryotherapy’s analgesic effects with study of horses with induced lameness.
Back Up the Horse’s Entire Foot, Not Just the Toe
"Backing up the toe" might make the foot look aesthetically pleasing, but 6 weeks later all the work that was done previously needs to be done again. Focusing on just the toe leaves out the rest of the foot. Instead of thinking of backing up the toe, the focus needs to be on “backing up the whole foot.”
Events
Getting Started in Hoof Care
Sixteenth Edition of the Annual Career Guide
This special publication is published once per year by American Farriers Journal. The career guide delivers advice from farriers on how to establish and operate a successful equine footcare practice.
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.
Plenty of Hoof-Care Growth in 50 Years
Celebrating 2 Decades of Extraordinary Hoof-Care Learning
Butler’s Insights Hold Strong
Current Issue
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.
Farrier Tips
- Texas Farrier Works Feet in Pairs to Avoid Lameness
- Identifying Insulin Resistance in Horses
- Deciphering Why a Horse Fails to Perform
- Weigh the Positives and Negatives Before Applying Pads
- A Tacky Way to Apply Copper Sulfate
Farrier Videos
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary
American Farriers Journal is excited and honored to celebrate its 50th anniversary of publishing the hands-on magazine for hoof-care professionals. Learn more about our special edition, which comes out in December 2024.
Remembering Red Renchin with Mark Ellis: Part 2
As we approach the 10th anniversary of Red Renchin’s passing, we are partnering with Life Data Labs to honor the former American Farriers Journal technical editor and International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer with a six-part podcast series.
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.
Forging Trailers and Using a Hot Cut on Keg Shoes
Social Circle, Ga., farrier Lucas Gilleland, CJF, and Blacksburg, Va., farrier Paul Papadatos, CJF (TE), ASF, DipWCF, demonstrate how to forge trailers and use a hot cut on a keg shoe to American Farrier’s Association certification standards.
Hoof Nutrition Intelligence
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Why is keratin so important to hoof health?
With the knowledge of what keratin is and how it contributes to hoof function as a structural component of the hoof capsule in providing both strength and flexibility, it becomes quite evident as to why it is important for hoof health. Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by the International Hoof-Care Summit. -
Which joint supplements for horses make the most difference?
Evidence supports the fact that joint supplements provide many benefits — especially if horse owners choose the right ones. Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by the 2023 International Hoof-Care Summit. -
What are the main nutrients and minerals found in a horse’s hoof?
When addressing hoof quality problems that may be related to nutrition, try addressing any nutrition concerns by the order in which various amounts of nutrients are found inside the hoof. Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by the International Hoof-Care Summit. -
I’m confused by all of the pros and cons I hear about including various vitamins and minerals in the diet of my horses to improve their immune systems. How do I keep it all straight?
There is a place for immune stimulating products, but before considering one, it’s vital to build the foundation into your horse’s immune system with a good vitamin/mineral supplement. Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by the 2023 International Hoof-Care Summit.
From the Desk of AFJ
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Butler’s Insights Hold Strong
Doug Butler will be the first to tell you he’s not a soothsayer. It’s quite possible you’ll find yourself on the receiving end of a stern look and a reprimand should you accuse him of such. -
A True Mom & Pop Shop
William Arthur Ward once said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” -
Ask Yourself These Questions Before Enrolling in Farrier School
I just finished a class at Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School and it wasn’t the most enjoyable class I’ve had in my 33 years of teaching horseshoeing. It appears that a lot of them decided they were going to horseshoeing school based upon video clips and social media, not by exploring the profession and finding out what’s really needed to be a professional, self-employed horseshoer. -
Community & Continuing Education Foster Excellence
As I’m getting to know the farrier community, one quality that stands out is their dedication — not just to skill development but to each other.
Attend the 2025 International Hoof-Care Summit in Kansas City!
Join Us January 21-24, 2025 at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri
As we continue in our third decade, our goal is to continue to help you expand your hoof-care education through a focused educational program covering the most important topics to today’s equine footcare professionals. The 22nd annual Summit offers dozens of hours of solid answers to your most critical challenges from outstanding farriers, equine vets and hoof researchers. Get a first look at 2025’s newest and best products at the Summit Trade Show. And profit from unlimited “face-to-face” hallway networking time with the giants of the footcare profession.
Come see for yourself why past attendees say they take home an average of $4,576 in ready-to-use ideas!
Top Directory Listings
Life Data Labs Inc
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.
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.
Vettec
Vettec has been manufacturing and distributing the highest level of horse hoof care products worldwide for over 15 years. Vettec’s extensive line of hoof-related materials allow your hoof-care professional to complete hoof repairs and glue on shoes with Adhere, urethane adhesive, as well as create instant horse shoes and foal extensions with Super Fast, equi-thane adhesive.
Test Your Hoof-Care Knowledge
Check out our free American Farriers Journal quizzes and see how you score!
Product Roundups
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Hoof-Care Product Roundup - November 2024
Check out the latest hoof-care products from some of the industry's leading suppliers. -
Hoof-Care Product Roundup - October 2024
Check out the latest hoof-care products from some of the industry's leading suppliers. -
Hoof-Care Product Roundup - September 2024
Check out the latest hoof-care products from some of the industry's leading suppliers.
Top Store Items
Improving Horsemanship for Farriers
This 38 page report will guide you through the importance of learning and developing horsemanship, making the farriery process easier, safer, and more enjoyable. This report will provide you with basic horsemanship skills that are crucial for avoiding horse and human injury, as well as becoming a successful farrier.
You'll find a wide variety of useful information including:
Why you can’t hurry horsemanship
How good rapport and good horses go hand-in-hand
The importance of being able to “read” a horse and understanding the body language
Why not all “bad” horses are bad
The importance of patience
Advice on how to deal with soft hearted clients and their spoiled horses
Hall Of Fame Farrier Tips - Volume 5
This 5th edition of Hall of Fame Farrier Tips features a plethora of valuable advice from respected veteran members of the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame. Each was interviewed on various topics they thought every farrier should know; such as how to apply a frog plate to a keg shoe, tips to becoming more efficient, fundamentals of hoof care, tips on how to avoid volatile situations, and much more! Hall of Fame Farrier Tips Volume 5 will provide you with applicable advice on an extraordinary range of hoof-care topics.
45 Memorable Articles from the History of American Farriers Journal
When the editors of American Farriers Journal discussed how to celebrate our 45th anniversary, we wanted to create something nostalgic for veteran farriers and provide historical context for younger farriers. Yet to truly cover the history of hoof-care thoughts of 5 decades, we would have to amass volumes. With this special report, we highlight influential articles and entries from the magazine. For each year, we selected a single article that marked an event, a trend, monumental change or important information and discuss its significance.
2019 Farrier Business Practices Report
This annual report is your personal guide for monitoring the trends and economic changes affecting the farrier industry. You’ll gain insight into the equine industry and discover how your farrier business compares to others by getting a glimpse at yearly farrier income growth, what farriers are charging, how farriers are funding retirement, where they are obtaining footcare product information, and much more!