What does it mean to “Balance the Hoof?” Ask a farrier if he balances a hoof and he will say, “Yes.” Ask him to describe how he balances it and he will generally describe very convoluted ways of doing so without having any specific reference points for others to copy.

If you’ve had troubles with glue-on shoes, listen up. “These things all work,” says Bill Kirkpatrick, general manager of Sound Horse Technologies of Unionville, Pa. To create the strongest possible bond between hoof and shoe, choose the right glue for the job at hand and mix it properly, work with clean, dry feet, and use as much surface contact area as possible, he advises.

Farriers have long tried — with varying degrees of success — to convince horse owners that regularly scheduled appointments for trimming and shoeing are important for equine health.

The ongoing controversy over allowing traction devices on racetracks heated up recently as members of the California Horse Racing Board voted to start enforcing an earlier height restriction for front toe grabs.

“There’s a fine line between laziness and efficiency,” jokes Peter Tichbourne, and the refrigerator, microwave oven, coffee-maker and stereo inside his shoeing trailer make it look like he’s ready for a relaxing day behind a horse barn.