Volume 7 | Sept. 16, 2025 | 140 Days To Go

GET READY TO EXPERIENCE WHAT NO OTHER HOOF-CARE EVENT OR CLINIC CAN OFFER

Hosted by American Farriers Journal

Summit Countdown

February 3-6, 2026 | Cincinnati Metro Area

We have some sad news to share.

A week ago, sad-eyed Lessiter Media staffers said our goodbyes to Amy Johnson at her funeral. She will certainly be missed by members of our crew and the many friends she made among the audiences we serve.

Amy Lyn Johnson
1970-2025

Serving as our American Farriers Journal's client services and International Hoof-Care Summit Trade Show manager, Amy passed away in late August after a courageous 3-year battle with lung and brain cancer. (She’d be quick to add she was always a non-smoker, by the way.)

A dedicated and valuable member of the Lessiter Media family, Amy earned the respect of hundreds of folks she worked closely with from around the world.

She had a charming smile, a surprisingland edgy sense of humor and was always aware of the pains and struggles of others. Our prayers go out to husband, Michael, daughter, Emily, and two big brothers (Dale and John).

As family members described so well, Amy possessed a captivating blend of unique charm and playful quirkiness, with just the right touch of edge and sass. Simple things brought her great joy, most often shared with family and friends.

In the nearly two decades she spent as an important member of our Lessiter Media team, like all of us, Amy faced a few minor goofs. Jokingly, she would tell others that none would lead to her being fired, believing I’d step in and save her. Fortunately, such a decision never had to be made, but if it had…

“Yes, Amy, I would have saved you...”

I know she’ll enjoy her days in heaven as much as the days spent here on earth — days she made better for everyone. We’ll miss you deeply, Amy, but are thankful for the joy — and the legacy — you’ve had on our lives.

To view many of the tributes and memories from friends and co-workers of Amy, click here.

Read Full Tribute Here

Frank Lessiter
Editorial Director
American Farriers Journal & International Hoof-Care Summit

WATCH & LISTEN

"I'm talking to a lot of vendors at the trade show about new products that are coming out. I think providing direct feedback has been helping vendors develop new products that are more suited for farriers and for our horses."

— East Coast Farrier Matt Prescott

2026 Trade Show Floor Plan

Reserved booths Open booths remaining

Over 73% of the Trade Show Floor is BOOKED!

Don't Wait! Reserve Your Exhibit Space Today

Booth space gets booked weekly. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. When you reserve your spot now, you’ll have the best chance of securing your preferred location on the Trade Show floor.

Exhibitors can choose from five exhibit size options (in feet):

10x10
10x20
10x30
10x40 (4 booths)
20x40 (8 booths)

The Summit Trade Show runs Feb. 4-5, 2026. To secure your space, click on the "Reserve Your Booth" button below. For questions about your exhibitor contract application or other information, call Michael Ellis at 262-777-2432 or email mellis@lessitermedia.com .

Reserve Your Booth →

"It's an event not to be missed, to network and meet farriers from around the world."

— Derek Poupard, Sarasota, Fla.
2025 IHCS Exhibitor, 3D HoofCare

Reserve Your Hotel Room Yet?

The room block is already filling up!

Host Hotel Marriott at RiverCenter

$159

per night while rooms are still available

Book My Room

The Marriott at RiverCenter is the official host hotel for the 2026 Summit. An enclosed sky walk connects this hotel to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. Overnight Parking is $12/night in hotel parking garage.

Book your room online or call 859-261-2900. Be sure to mention "Lessiter Publications: International Hoof-Care Summit" when booking your room over the phone

Henry Heymering Legacy Lecture

Trimming: Are We Getting It Right?

The trim is the foundation of everything we do. Even the best shoe can't overcome a flawed base. Sometimes we're working with what someone else left behind; other times, the issues start with us. Sagamore Beach, Mass., farrier Nicholas Denson focuses on assessing and normalizing heel structure, understanding what we're looking at, and making trimming decisions that set the horse up for long-term soundness.

You’ll Learn: Essential trimming strategies that you can incorporate immediately into your daily practice.

Hoof-Care Classroom

Preventing & Fixing Quarter Cracks in Road Horses

Conformation, shoe selection and placement, as well as the application of traction devices and many other factors, can contribute to quarter cracks in road horses. Middlebury, Ind., farrier Laverne Mast discusses the strategies he uses to avoid quarter cracks and how to repair them when they occur.

You’ll Learn: Step-by-step insight into proven techniques for effectively repairing quarter cracks in road horses.

Presented by

Presented by

Burney Chapman Memorial Lecture

Protecting & Managing Insulin-Resistant Horses

Insulin resistance (IR) is the leading cause of laminitis in horses worldwide, yet many treatment approaches fail due to incomplete or outdated strategies.

With insights from over 7,500 managed cases, Dr. Frank Reilly explores the underlying causes of IR, effective testing methods and why successful management requires a multifaceted, team-based approach. The Unionville, Pa., veterinarian also addresses the potential of human diabetes medications, the role of Cushing’s disease and how farriers and vets can improve outcomes.

You’ll Learn: How to identify and manage IR more effectively, avoid counterproductive treatments and build a comprehensive management plan that reduces laminitis risk.

Remind Your Customers To Register With Early Bird Pricing!

Early Bird Pricing Expires In ...

Early Bird Registration Saves Your Customers $80! Customers can register for the early bird rate of just $479 by calling or texting (262) 777-2401 or share this online registration link: https://www.americanfarriers.com/ihcs-register?pk=EI0925ANWS. Early Bird pricing is good through 9/30/25.

Educational Partner & A La Carte Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available

Don't miss out on any further promotional inclusion for the 2026 Summit if being an Educational Partner interests you. There are three levels to choose from — Gold, Silver and Bronze.

There are also a la carte sponsorship opportunities that might resonate at varying price points.

Please give Michael Ellis a call at 262-777-2432 or email at mellis@lessitermedia.com for more details about this once-a-year opportunity. The sooner your company secures a spot, the more exposure you’ll receive throughout the entire promotional period leading up to the February event.