Barefoot horses have enjoyed success at the last two Olympics, but how often do they remain unshod? Curtis Burns of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., details how his LENGTH considerations and Hall of Fame farrier Steve Kraus’ WIDTH protocol addresses when a horse should and shouldn’t be shod.

You’ll learn: How to apply these guidelines to benefit performance horses.

2026 International Hoof-Care Summit

A focused 4-day program covers dozens of field-tested footcare ideas from successful farriers, equine veterinarians and hoof researchers worldwide. Discover proven tips to improve your work, cut costs, boost efficiency and grow profits — all through the Summit’s unmatched learning opportunities.

View the Full Speaker Agenda & Topics

What makes this event unique is its dynamic mix of general sessions, classrooms, roundtables, and global networking with hoof-care professionals. Your 4-day registration also includes access to 3 exclusive sessions at the world’s largest hoof-care products trade show.

  • 7 General Sessions — packed with proven hoof-care strategies from experts like Hans Castelijns, Dave Farley, Blane Chapman, and more.
  • 32 Face-to-Face Roundtables — interactive peer discussions where attendees bring real-world questions and exchange practical insights.
  • 12 Classrooms — hands-on, presentation-style learning for today’s top hoof-care challenges.
  • Plus, 3 wet labs, over 9 hours of trade show time, and unlimited networking opportunities with farriers and veterinarians from across the globe.

Learn more, register, and book your hotel at IHCS2026.com.

Educational Partners

Gold Level – Glue-U Adhesives, Zoetis, EasyCare, Mustad, Platinum Performance, American Farriers Journal
Silver Level – SmartEquine
Bronze Level – Purcell Farrier Supply / MFC Tools, HoofMD, Equine Care, Anvil Brand, Breed Improvement Services, Inc.

Curtis Burns APF, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., is the creator and founder of Polyflex Horseshoes of NoAnvil LLC. His passion is finding practical solutions for the good of the horse, and he is committed to offering continued education opportunities for farriers and horse owners alike.