ELPO 8-Week Farrier Course
Date: 04/17/23
Location: Penrose, CO
View Event
Advertise Follow Us
Wounds, cracks, or openings in the hoof capsule or sole due to abscess, hoof failure or puncture can be difficult to manage in the horse’s normal living environment.
Must Read Free Eguides
Download these helpful knowledge building tools
- Caring for Your Horse During a Pandemic
- CBD Products Have Promise for Farriers, but Buyer Beware
- Sharpening Knives with a Buffer
- Winter Hoof Care
THIS MONTH'S DIGITAL SPONSORS:
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.
How to Evaluate Medial-Lateral Balance of a Horse’s Hoof
Western Show Horses Thrive Under Danny Anderson’s Shoeing System
Sound Farriery Builds a Sound Reputation
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
A Warm, Efficient Farrier Work Station
Rich Lomen and Nate Stener need a warm, dry, efficient farrier rig to shoe 550 sport horses in frigid Minnesota. Their solution is a Dodge Ram 2500 ProMaster outfitted by Bay Horse Innovations.
DIY Knife Sharpening System
Farrier Dave Farley shows a hoof knife holder that he made that hits in a hardy hole. Farrier Roy Bloom shows how he would sharpen hoof knife blades.
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.
Hoof Nutrition Intelligence
-
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
-
Sound Farriery Builds a Sound Reputation
It’s not what you take; it’s what you leave behind. -
Frankly Speaking: Welcome the Change of Farrier Unity
“The only constant in life is change.” You’ve probably heard this saying more than once. The subject is on my mind because my role with American Farriers Journal is changing. -
Frankly Speaking: Choose Opportunity Over Fear
Do you remember a time you overcame fear in your career? Maybe it was taking the leap to enter the profession and invest your resources into becoming a farrier. -
Ode to the Horse
I owe an apology to the horse that is long since overdue. In the years since beginning my farrier career, I have made many a mistake — some bred of ego, but most of ignorance. To the horse, I vow I will do better.
Attend the 2024 International Hoof-Care Summit
The International Hoof-Care Summit is returning to the Duke Energy Center and Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 23-26, 2024, for its 21st anniversary event filled with focused learning that will change your practice forever.
As we continue on 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 21st 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 2024’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.
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
-
Pads and Pad/Packing Material Product Roundup 2023
Check out the latest pads and pad/packing material from some of the industry’s leading suppliers. -
Hoof, Joint Supplements & Feed Product Roundup 2023
Check out the latest hoof, joint supplements and feed from some of the industry’s leading suppliers. -
Hoof-Care Product Roundup - March 2023
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!