What good are the latest findings in research if no one knows about it?

That quandary is at least part of the reason behind an upcoming workshop in East Lansing, Mich., where farriers, horse owners and equine veterinarians are invited to learn about the latest research findings done at Michigan State University’s Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, with a farrier helping explain what those findings mean for hoof care.

The workshop will be held Sunday, Feb. 15, at the McPhail Center in East Lansing. Current research being done by Michigan State University equine researchers point to a common sense approach to trimming and shoeing horses that allows for a healthier hoof and a more natural way of striding. Carl “Cappi” Roghan of Scottville, Mich., a registered journeyman farrier and certified master farrier, will be on hand to help those in attendance understand and interpret the information.

The format of the clinic will be a lecture in the morning. After a lunch break, three horses will be evaluated and trimmed. One horse will be shod. Evaluation will include an application of the concepts discussed in the morning lecture. Horses will be evaluated both standing and moving. Roghan will demonstrate how to trim and shoe a hoof after the evaluation has concluded.

The goal of the workshop is to educate those entrusted with equine care; to encourage dialogue between horse owners, veterinarians and farriers; and to demonstrate trimming a horse in regards to its skeletal alignment.

The center is located adjacent…