When attempting to correct deformities and potential soundness risks, always consider what is best for the horse.

With over 40 years of experience in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Steve Kraus was recently named head farrier for the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

While the latest edition of the "Farrier Business Practices Survey" will be coming your way this fall in American Farriers Journal, we recently took another look at some of the 2008 data in an entirely different way.

Several research papers presented at last December's American Association of Equine Practitioners annual meeting in Las Vegas took an in-depth look at the causes of racing injuries with both Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds.

Laminitis was the top vote getter in a recent survey regarding research needs among members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. The goal of this study is to provide data that can assist the equine community in directing its financial support to a wide realm of equine research projects.

It's not unusual for a farrier or veterinarian to be trapped between the welfare of the horse and the welfare of the rider. Kent Carter, a member of the International Equine Veterinarian Hall of Fame who is on the staff at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, says the dilemma can arise when what's best for the horse conflicts with the rider's needs to have the animal ready to work - whether on the racetrack, in the show ring or on a cattle ranch.

The latest ideas in diagnostic imaging, the impact of conformation on movement, assessing your business and proper examination of the equine foot will be important aspects of the program for next winter’s seventh annual International Hoof-Care Summit.

As of January 1, Farrier Product Distribution became the exclusive importer of all Kerckhaert horseshoes and other products in North America.