World Championship Blacksmiths National Championship
Date: 12/02/21
Location: Fort Worth, TX
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Must Read Free Eguides
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- Caring for Your Horse During a Pandemic
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- Winter Hoof Care
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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.”
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.
Hospital Plate Options Provide Horse Hoof Wound Protection
What is Mediolateral Balance in Farriery?
Can I Show My Horse Tomorrow?
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
- Horse Anatomy Knowledge Provides 2 Advantages for Farriers
- An Appropriate Trim is Critical for Low-Angled Hooves
- No Suspensory Horseshoe? No Problem
- The Basics are King for Hall of Fame Farrier
- Basic Customer Service Helps You Retain the Clients You Want
Farrier Videos
Tool Tips: Tuning Your Pritchel to a Punch
Campbell, Texas, farrier and American Farriers Team member Sawyer Spradling demonstrates his approach to tuning a distorted pritchel to a punch, a skill that has served him well when he travels to clinics and competitions.
Welding a Heart-Bar Insert in a Horseshoe
A heart-bar horseshoe is a common solution for when the condition calls for frog support, such as laminitis or quarter cracks. Texas farrier Tommy Boudreau demonstrates his process on a St. Croix Eventer.
Texas FFA Students Made Farrier's Horseshoeing Trailer
Texas farrier Don Mock's shoeing trailer was built as a project by (then) high schoolers Warren and Dean Evans. The brothers made this project as part of their Future Farmers of America Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems course. He uses the trailer at his hunter/jumper client Bay Yard Farms. This trailer won the best FFA project award at the State Fair of Texas.
Tool Tips: Improve Your Efficiency with Calipers
Farriers have a variety of measurement tools that can serve as a guide, whether they're at a barn earning a living or a competition honing their shoemaking skills. Fairhope, Ala., farrier and American Farriers Team captain Daniel Jones, CJF, discusses a couple of key things you can do with calipers to improve your efficiency at the anvil and accuracy when making nail holes.
Hoof Nutrition Intelligence
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How important are trace minerals for improving hoof quality?
Most of our trace mineral research has been with cattle, but a couple of equine studies have revealed information on the influence of trace minerals on hoof health. Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by the International Hoof-Care Summit. -
Could nutrition be involved with the joint concerns I’m having with my barrel horse?
While some joint concerns may be inevitable, especially as the regenerative ability decreases with age, various therapies and technologies can help promote equine joint health. Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by the 2022 International Hoof-Care Summit. -
I have a 21-year-old Appaloosa mare who recently came down with a case of grass founder. I’m giving her 1-ounce of bute along with one-half cup of grain. Is this amount enough to relieve any pain? What do you recommend?
You are correct with feeding hay along with very little to no grain. The 1-ounce of bute per day is a good administration level. Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by the International Hoof-Care Summit. -
I’m working with a mare that previously suffered from malnutrition with a previous owner. How will improved nutrition affect her hoof quality?
While hoof growth may often continue at a rate through downturns in nutrition, the quality of hoof that develops will likely be diminished. Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by the 2022 International Hoof-Care Summit.
From the Desk of AFJ
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Thank You for the Haircut, Walt
Nearly a half-century ago, a young man took a chance on himself by leaving a well-paying job in the steel mills of Gary, Ind., to learn how to shoe horses. -
Farrier School Prevails in Constitutional Fight with California
The white flag is flying over the Capitol of one of the most powerful states in the Union after a horseshoeing school provided a lesson in Constitutional freedoms. -
Don’t Gamble with Your Eyes
“My eye burst and all the fluid was running down my face.” Kent, England, farrier Charlie Madden had just suffered one of the worst injuries that a London eye specialist had ever seen. -
U.S. Eyes New Road Use Tax
Federal fuel taxes likely will remain static for at least another year, but the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that the United States Senate recently approved indicates changes are on the horizon.
Attend the 2022 International Hoof-Care Summit
The International Hoof-Care Summit is returning to Cincinnati Jan. 25-28, 2022, with over 75 hours of classes, roundtables, lectures, networking, camaraderie and the world’s largest hoof-care products trade show. The Summit is the best way for you to learn successful techniques and business-building strategies from today’s top footcare experts, network with hoof-care professionals from around the world and get ideas and advice to meet your specific needs and interests.
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.
From the Pages of American Farriers Journal
South African Farrier Discusses the Role of 3D Printing
South African farrier Derek Poupard discusses the role of 3D printing in his hoof-care practice at Godolphin Stables in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Poupard was featured in the April 2021 issue of American Farriers Journal.
Product Roundups
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Hoof Boots, Poultices, Liniments & Packing Product Roundup 2021
Check out the latest in hoof boots, poultices, liniments and packing from some of the industry's leading suppliers. -
Winter Shoeing, Pads & Traction Devices Product Roundup 2021
Check out the latest winter shoeing products, pads and traction devices from some of the industry’s leading suppliers. -
Aprons, Shoeing Boxes, Power Tools & Rigs Product Roundup 2021
Check out the latest shoeing boxes, power tools and rigs from some of the industry's leading suppliers.
Top Store Items
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!
Special Report for Equine Veterinarians
It requires a team to care for the horse. This special 34-page report is your guide for building better working relationships with farriers for the health of the horse. In this report for equine veterinarians, gain insight about the farrier industry and helpful advice from equine veterinarians on how they start and maintain strong working relationships with farriers.