The farrier’s toolbox is critical to his or her livelihood. Quality tools should be built to last, but there are some things that farriers can do to extend — or shorten — the life of their tools. Dan Bradley, International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member and a representative for GE Forge and Tool of Grover Beach, Calif., offered common-sense tips that he has found helpful with farriers gathered for a clinic and grand opening of Ocala’s Farrier Supply in Florida.

Ever since the flip flop made its way from Europe 30 years ago, Versailles, Ky., farrier Steve Stanley has found it to be useful for horses under the right circumstances. He commonly uses flip flops as temporary solutions when managing harness horses that suffer from joint and knee pain.

According to Steve Kraus, Cornell University’s head of farrier services and senior lecturer, the shoe depicted was typically used on light draft horses for traction on ice about 100 years ago.