Veteran farrier and founder of the Crawford, Neb., Butler Professional Farrier School, Dr. Doug Butler is credited with saying, “Hoof quality may relate more to the hoof’s ability to regulate moisture content than anything else.” Although Lafayette, Ind., farrier Danvers Child jokes that he and Butler, both members of the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame, sometimes have disagreements, they see eye-to-eye on this point; the key topic of client discussion should center around regulating the moisture content in hooves.

Shoeing rig manufacturers are constantly looking to improve their products, knowing they can attract and satisfy customers by giving farriers what they want.

The prevalence of asymmetrical, mismatched or high-low feet has changed dramatically over the past half-century. What once was rare is now an almost daily occurrence that farriers must maintain to keep horses performing as well as possible.

The most important job that a farrier has is providing sound hoof care for horses. Yet, an integral part of providing that service is communicating with your clients about the health and well being of their horses.

There never can be too many tools in a farrier’s shoeing box. After all, the immeasurable quantity of variables involved in equine hoof care is staggering. Why limit yourself?