Nearly 100 farriers turned out at the Duggan Farrier Supplies/Minnesota Horseshoeing School in Ramsey, Minn, for an annual clinic. The American Association of Professional Farriers as part of its Hoofcare Essentials series sponsored the annual clinic.

The clinicians for this daylong event were Doug Workman of Cleveland, Ga., and Roy Bloom of Drummond, Wis. Workman led off with his presentation “Shoeing for Form and Function.” In it, he presented several images showing various stages of trimming and shoeing a 23-year-old mare he works with. His intention wasn’t so much to show how he trimmed and shod the horse, but to have the attendees evaluate the work or ask questions about it.

Workman says he thoroughly analyses his work done on a previous shoeing at the next appointment. 

“When we work with horses, we should have a plan that we adhere to,” he says. “But at the next you see the horse and something isn’t right, you can make the changes necessary.”

Bloom presented a lecture on the “12 Points of Reference.” During this presentation and the previous one, he recommended farriers use a self-leveling, cross-line laser for evaluating their work. Bloom adds that another benefit when using the tool is that you can educate your clients by illustrating points you are trying to make about the hoof care for their horses. 

Bloom then rounded out the day by delivering tool tips and answering any questions attendees had about tools. While giving advice on knife sharpening, he says that it is important that farriers don’t wear gloves while sharpening a dull tool.        

“You want to be able to feel the blade while you do this,” he says. “If you wear a glove, you can’t tell how hot it is getting. You want it to be hot enough that it becomes uncomfortable for your hand. Keep a jar of water nearby so you can quench the blade after it becomes too hot.”

You can read more about this event in the May/June issue of American Farriers Journal.