Of the different techniques farriers bring to trimming and shoeing horses, probably one of the least talked about, yet vital resource, would be the concept of grip and purchase, according to Dr. Simon Curtis, a Newmarket, England-based farrier and International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member.

When building a house, a solid foundation first must be established to ensure that the structure remains sound for continued long-term use. The same is true for farriery.
Yet, humans are in a hurry. We often want to run before learning to walk. In farrier terms, some want to forge a three-quarter fullered shoe before learning to bend a toe. After shoeing for nearly 40 years, Hank Chisholm of Lucedale, Miss., emphasizes the importance of establishing a solid foundation in the basics of farriery and then relying on it for the rest of your career.

I was given this horseshoe, which remains in my possession, about 25 years ago. It was found at the National Stud, Newmarket, England, when they were digging a post-hole while referencing a paddock.

I’ve worked on many horses throughout my career that I just couldn’t seem to get to grow any heel on their low-heeled foot. If they did, they would crush it, or the base of the foot would be pushed forward.
Using methods that are already widely accepted throughout the industry, I will offer a unique approach that could help improve these types of feet. 

These are busy days for Zach Morris.
The Lyons, Ore., farrier is logging significant miles — both on the road and in the air — as several of his clients will be making the trek to Tulsa, Okla., for the United States National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show. With a little more than 2 weeks before the show, Morris has his work cut out for him.