Farriers from around the world who are interested in sharing their ideas on shoeing to managing high and low conformation concerns are invited to take part in a special challenge being sponsored by Vibram and the Farrier & Hoofcare Research Center (F&HRC) Co-Op project.

Farriers can submit before and after photos of their work that will be evaluated by a panel of judges to determine the most proficient application of shoes to best manage high and low conformation conditions. For details and information on how to register for the challenge, go to the F&HRC Web site at www.horseshoes.com. The deadline for submitting entries is Jan. 1, 2010.

“The challenge is an opportunity for farriers to advance their skills and win some great prizes while doing so,” says Kevin Donahue, Jr., head of sales and marketing for Vibram Hoof Pads at the Quabaug Corp. “We are proud of the quality of our hoof pads and abrasives and encourage farriers to showcase and take pride in the quality of their work.”

The winners of the challenge will be announced during the 7th annual International Hoof-Care Summit being held from Feb. 2 to 5 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The judges who will evaluate the entries during the Summit include Chris Gregory, a member of the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame, owner of the Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo., and a fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers; David Nichols, an associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers and a farrier in West Sussex…