Volume 6 |  Aug. 13, 2025  | 174 Days To Go

Hosted by American Farriers Journal

Summit Countdown

February 3-6, 2026 | Cincinnati Metro Area

We're excited to share the 4-Day Program for the Greatest Hoof-Care Learning Experience Offered in 2026.

Here's your first look at the just-released 2026 International Hoof-Care Summit agenda. The 2026 speaker program promises 70 hours of non-stop footcare learning...

  • 32 Chances to Learn from Leading World-Wide Footcare Experts
  • 56 Footcare Learning Opportunities
  • 32 Hoof-Care Roundtable discussions
  • 12 How-To Product Knowledge Clinics
  • 3 VIP Equine Limb Dissection Wet Labs with Mitch Taylor and Paige Poss
  • Exclusive Book Signings with Dr. Simon Curtis
  • Access to the world's largest hoof-care products Trade Show!
  • An Exclusive Bonus Heel Pain Workshop with Renate Weller
  • 12 Powerful Hoof-Care Classrooms
  • Register for Drawings including a chance to win a day with Mike Wildenstein
  • 7 Exceptional general sessions that zero in on your most critical farrier challenges

I’ve been involved in the development and planning of every Summit in its 23-year history, and 2026 is no different. I hope you'll join us this coming February in Convington, Ky., for the 2026 Summit that features a variety of sessions aimed at addressing the most critical challenges faced by hoof-care professionals today. Here's just a few of the speakers and their topics to be covered:

  • Laverne Mast will share how conformation, shoeing, and traction affect quarter cracks in road horses and shares strategies to prevent and repair them. 
  • Katie LoPresti will explain how endocrine disorders like Cushing's and insulin resistance affect the equine hoof, helping farriers recognize signs and manage care effectively. 
  • Terri Babineau will share quick brain-based tools to reduce stress and boost productivity and joy for farriers and vets running small business. 
  • Maarten van Hal explores under-run heels, their development, impact on the hoof, and long-term effects, offering practical diagnosis and management strategies for farriers. 
  • Cody Bogard shares a system for budgeting and scheduling to help farriers manage their businesses with less stress. 
  • Gavin Moody and Simon Curtis present a study showing how exercise improves hoof angles in Thoroughbreds, aiding hoof health and preventing lameness. 
  • Allan Voeller highlights how improving forging skills and craftsmanship boosts farriers' expertise and competitiveness, emphasizing research and practical application. 

As someone deeply entrenched in the hoof-care industry for the past 3 decades and the founder of the IHCS, I know that our commitment to providing top-notch educational opportunities, networking avenues and access to cutting-edge technologies and techniques sets IHCS apart as the premier, unrivaled gathering for hoof-care professionals worldwide.

With a mix of educational sessions, hands-on labs and networking opportunities, the 2026 Summit is set to be another fantastic event this February in Covington, Ky. 

Our team looks forward to seeing you there!

Frank Lessiter

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

 

Five Star Tesimonial

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

— Derek Poupard, Sarasota, Fla.
2024 IHCS Exhibitor, 3D HoofCare

Over 60% 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.

2026 Program Just Released!

2026 Summit Program

70 Hours packed with 50+ Sessions,
Hoof-Care Roundtables & Expert Speakers

98.7% of Past Attendees Recommend the Summit!

The 2026 IHCS Program is now available for download! We are dedicated to creating an agenda for farriers like you to take home the best tips and advice from industry leaders. Take a look at all the great things we have planned for 2026!

PLUS, lock in your $80 savings when you register by September 30 with early bird pricing.

Educational Partner & A La Carte Sponsorship Opportunities 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.

Check Out These Crowd-Drawing Speakers Coming to the Summit!

Nicholas Denson
Kahn

Henry Heymering Legacy Lecture, Presented by Kahn Forge

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. 

Laverne Mast

 Special Book Signing with Simon Curtis

Visit the American Farriers Journal Trade Show booth at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4 and Thursday, Feb. 5 where British farrier Simon Curtis will hold 2 exclusive book-signings. All paid Summit attendees are also eligible to win a drawing for a 4-book set personally autographed by the International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer.

Simon Curtis

Interested In Sponsorship Opportunities?

Michael Ellis

Contact Michael Ellis

Director of Sales

Call Michael today at (262) 777-2432 or email mellis@lessitermedia.com

Thank You to Our 2026 Educational Partners

 Gold Partner 

Glue-U Adhesives

  Gold Partner  

EasyCare

  Gold Partner 

Zoetis

  Gold Partner  

AFJ logo

  Silver Partner  

SmartEquine

  Bronze Partner  

Anvil Brand

  Bronze Partner 

MFC

  Bronze Partner 

Hoof MD

The International Hoof-Care Summit is Hosted By

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