As the old saying goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. When applying that proverbial saying to farriery, it certainly applies to shoeing horses, as well.

When a horse presents with a problem that a farrier must address, each case is an individual journey with multiple paths to a destination. 

Of course, the best-case scenario for any destination is a complete recovery from the injury or pathology. Unfortunately, some paths aren’t always as straight forward. These are cases in which the injury or pathology must be managed for a prolonged period of time and in some situations, it will be for the life of the horse.

By the same token, each farrier has a particular set of skills. One who has been providing hoof care for 40 years will have significantly more experience and knowledge than a colleague who is fresh out of farrier school.

Mike Hayward

Laura Gillespie

In their International Hoof-Care Summit presentation, Athens, Ala., farrier Laura Gillespie, CJF, APF-I, and Morgan Hill, Calif., farrier Mike Hayward, APF-I, will detail different shoeing applications and various options for how to achieve the same desired outcome. Each application presents a different journey that is influenced by a set of variables — skill set or education, price, availability and environment.

The International Hoof-Care Summit will be Jan. 25-28, 2022, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Learn More

• What are Your Options for Achieving the Benefits of a Sidebone Shoe?: Alternatives are affordable, but forging experience is a must.
• How to Achieve the Benefits of a Frog Support Horseshoe: Intermediate to skilled farriers are well-positioned in therapeutic cases.
• How to Float Heels and Heel Quarters: Farriers of all skill levels can achieve the benefits of the Z-bar horseshoe.
• Options for Supporting an Injured Suspensory Ligament: Knowledge and skill necessary for these therapeutic techniques.