Trainer Todd Pletcher appears to have a formidable hand going into this year's Kentucky Derby. Or should we say foot?? If Pletcher wins his second Derby in four years, the man who takes care of his horse's feet will be one of the first people he thanks. Like everyone has said for years, no hoof, no horse, or no foot, no horse. That's really true at the end of the day, said Pletcher. I don't think you can even calculate how important having a good blacksmith is. By all accounts, Pletcher's blacksmith, Ray Amato Sr., is one of the best in the business. And you'd be hard-pressed to find a backstretch worker who relishes going to work more than Amato, even though he's been doing the same thing for 65 years.

There are several steps Texas farrier Chad Chance goes through when evaluating a horse prior to sliding plate selection.

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At the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, farrier Jim Jimenez provides advice for novice horseshoers interested in shoeing track horses, and tells us why you need to get your mistakes out of the way.

At the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, farrier Jim Jimenez tells us about his system for documenting horses, as well as his recent accomplishment as the shoer for the 2012 Kentucky Derby Winner "I'll Have Another."

At the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, farrier Dean Moshier discusses the value of horsemanship as a farrier.

At the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, farrier Dean Moshier tells us why the International Hoof-Care Summit is a quality investment for his career and furthering his education.

At the 2013 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, Amy Rucker, DVM, (Columbia, MO) talks to us about her life since being inducted into the International Equine Veterinarian Hall Of Fame last year, as well as her 2013 Summit experience.