Education

How Do Adhesives Affect Hoof Wall?

Moisture and heat are the most common enemies during repair

By Jeff Cota posted on July 4, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Forging, Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

Chances are pretty good that you’ve repaired a compromised hoof wall at one time or another. In fact, according to the most recent American Farriers Journal Farrier Business Practices Survey, nearly half of all farriers find themselves using some type of hoof repair product on a weekly basis.

The World Championship Blacksmiths Hits 10 Years

The Madison, Wis., competition opens the group’s 10th season of “excellence through competition”

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 4, 2016 | Posted in Education, Forging

Music blares, hammers swing and anvils ring. The World Championship Blacksmiths (WCB) kicked off its 10th season in April at the Midwest Horse Show in Madison, Wis. — the group’s opening venue for several years. To the equine enthusiasts passing through the tent, it is a forging competition like they’ve never seen. There’s definite truth to that.

Frankly Speaking: Not Young Enough To Know Everything

By Jeremy McGovern posted on July 4, 2016 | Posted in Education

How old were you when you realized you didn’t know as much about farriery as you previously thought? This seems to be a trait shared by most practitioners I’ve met. The older they become, the more they recognize the complexity of equine footcare. They see it as an ever-expanding puzzle.

From The Desk Of AFJ

For the Want of a Farrier, Independence Might Have Been Lost

By Jeff Cota posted on July 1, 2016 | Posted in Education

The fabled crossing of the Delaware River by Gen. George Washington is immortalized in paintings, history books and film. Yet, the struggles endured by the Continental Army during that fateful night might have impressed upon our first commander-in-chief the importance of farriers.

2016 International Hoof-Care Summit

40 Ideas in 40 Minutes: Build a Better Practice with Backyard Horses

June 30, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

More than 90% of American Farriers Journal readers report that they have backyard accounts. While performance horses draw much attention, the backyard horse is the backbone of the industry. We assembled a panel of farriers whose books contain a significant percentage of backyard horses. Mark Aikens of Norwich, England; Pete Healey of San Los Obispo, Calif.; and Dean Moshier of Delaware, Ohio, present their ideas covering the footcare and business of backyard horses. This fast-paced session allows each presenter 1 minute for each idea, so the presenters can cover as many ideas as possible in the time allowed.

2014 International Hoof-Care Summit

45 Ideas In 45 Minutes: Ways To Immediately Improve Your Practice

June 30, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

There are endless ways to improve your practice. An idea of improved efficiency can save you time and health. A business tip may help you keep more of your hard-earned money. Often, great ideas in these areas come from other farriers who’ve picked them up along the way. Mike DeLeonardo of Salinas, Calif.; Steve Prescott of Hardeeville, S.C.; and Bob Smith of the Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif.; will present their ideas for you to implement into your practice as soon as you get home. This fast-paced session allows each presenter 1 minute for each idea, so the presenters can cover as many ideas as possible in the time allowed.

2015 International Hoof-Care Summit

40 Ideas In 40 Minutes: Improving Income, Efficiency And Business Practices

June 29, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

There are endless ways to improve your practice. An idea of improved efficiency can save your time and health. A business tip may help you keep more of your hard-earned money. Often, great ideas in these areas come from other farriers who have picked them up along the way. Todd Allen of Vandergrift, Pa., Matt Cooper of Cleveland, Texas; and David Nicholls of West Sussex, England, will present their ideas for you to implement into your practice as soon as you get home. This fast-paced session allows each presenter 1 minute for each idea, so the presenters can cover as many ideas as possible in the time allowed.