American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Basic Farriery Keeps Horses Sound & Balance
Texas Hill Country farrier prioritizes simplicity while serving the horse
Takeaways
- Greg Martin focuses on basic, practical and efficient techniques to maintain soundness and balance.
- Horses might object to the concussion of hammer blows during cool weather. They often tolerate it more when the nails are started, then the hoof stand is removed to complete the application.
- When clinching nails, watch for a reaction in a horse’s chest or hip. If it twitches, the nail could be too close and cause discomfort.
After nearly 30 years of farriery, Greg Martin’s approach to hoof care is straight forward — keep it simple. The owner of Hill Country Hoof Care relies on the basics and embraces efficiency and practicality.
“Honestly, we don’t do anything fancy,” says the Boerne, Texas, certified journeyman farrier. “We follow the KISS method — Keep it Simple, Stupid. We just try to run a good business and keep the horses sound and balanced as much as we can; nothing really remarkable.”
The fanciest Martin gets is his unusual marketing approach (Please see “Hoof Care on Parade” below) and applying glue-on shoes for a client, but the latter will have to wait. Mother Nature has other ideas today.
“I decided against doing them today because it’s supposed to rain, and they don’t have a dry facility,” he says. “It’s rough applying glue-ons when it’s soaking wet.”
December in the Texas Hill Country is typically mild and dry with average daytime high temperatures in the low to mid-60s. On this Shoeing for a Living Day, it’s cloudy, drizzly…
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American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
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Videos
Organized & Efficient to Better Serve Farriers w/Oleo Acres: 2025 Supply Shop of the Year
Oleo Acres Farrier and Blacksmith Supply owner Rob Michel walks viewers through the Littleton, Colo., warehouse. Inventory is organized with the customer in mind. If the product is in stock and easy to find, farriers can spend more time under a horse, which Michel says is more money in your pocket.
Events
Anatomy, Trimming and Hoof Protection
Date: 06/20/26
Location: Quincy, CA
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Top Directory Listings
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Equilox International
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