Now into its seventh generation of family ownership, the Mustad group of companies got its start in 1832 in Norway when Hans Skikkelstad started using water power to work with steel imported from Sweden. When he died at the age of 56, his son-in-law Ole Mustad took over the company and became the first in a long line of Mustad family members involved in the horseshoe nail making business.

In later years, Mustad acquired the Capewell and Cooper nail brands and St. Croix Forge and merged with the Delta Horseshoe Co. in North America. Companies in other parts of the world were also acquired by the Mustad group.

From its international headquarters in Switzerland, the company manufactures and markets nails, horseshoes, farrier tools and other hoof-care related products throughout the world.

In 2003, the seventh generation of the family, represented by Hans and Clarin Mustad, took over management of the group, which celebrated its 180-year anniversary this year.

OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS...

• Patrick Todd of Millsboro, Del., has been named as the recipient of the 2012 Edward Martin Perpetual Competition’s scholarship. After spending 8 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, he’s planning to attend the Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo. Held each fall during the Draft Horse Classic in Grass Valle, Calif., this year’s scholarship competition drew 20 applicants.
• Hazel Senn, the longtime assistant to Walt Taylor at the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) passed away last summer at the age of 97.
• Longtime farrier and AFA member Jim Woods of…