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Katie Navarra

Katie Navarra is a freelance writer who draws from her experiences owning and showing horses, and interviewing the industry’s leading professionals.

Articles

ARTICLES

Hoof-Care for the Cloned Horse

Farriers might be seeing double, but the feet are unique

By Katie Navarra posted on January 3, 2020 | Posted in Clients, Disciplines & Breeds

Five identical horses awaited Texas-based farrier Virgil Conde at a former client’s farm. Each was a clone of an elite Arabian halter horse. It wasn’t quite like seeing double since their white markings varied. Some had stockings, others didn’t. One had a blaze; another had no white on the face. Even the hoof pigmentation was different with some having white feet and others dark.

News & Notes

Ohio Veterinary Board Approves Continuing Education Credits for the International Hoof-Care Summit

By Katie Navarra posted on December 21, 2019 | Posted in Education

The Ohio State Veterinary Medical Licensing Board has approved the 2020 International Hoof-Care Summit for continuing education credits.

Using Clips as Needed, Not as Trends Dictate, Will Enable Farriers to Improve a Horse’s Hoof-Health and Performance

Hoof proportion, digital alignment and capsule health should all be considered before deciding whether to use clips and which kind

By Katie Navarra posted on December 2, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Equipment, Shoeing

It’s not uncommon for farriers to feel pressure from clients who ask for a shoe style or trimming method because the people winning in their discipline “do it that way.” Suddenly, it becomes the “go-to” preference and influences availability of supply.

Insurance Provides Farriers Stability When the Unexpected Happens

Alleviate the financial burden of a potentially bankrupting event

By Katie Navarra posted on September 11, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices

Jimmy Petty had the reputation of being able to shoe any horse brought to him. He shod 7 days a week, for 12-14 hours a day and was proud of the status — until he got hurt. In 1997, a Quarter Horse mare flipped over on him, crushing his lower lumbar.

Use Caution When Working on Sedated Horses

Chemical restraints help relax horses and dull pain, but can pose a significant risk for farriers

By Katie Navarra posted on July 3, 2019 | Posted in Lamenesses, Safety & Healthcare

Horses that are nervous, lame or irritable aren’t the most pleasant to trim or shoe — and they can be downright dangerous. Sedation is commonly used in these types of horses so that a farrier and equine veterinarian can work safely. In fact, 90% of farriers say they shoe sedated horses, according to a recent American Farriers Journal poll.

Strategies to Manage Thin-Soled Horses

Thin soles can occur for a number of reasons, but a good management plan can help these horses remain active and comfortable

By Katie Navarra posted on May 16, 2019 | Posted in Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

Thin-soled horses can be a challenge. Thin soles chronically plague some horses, likely an inherited trait, while others can experience an acute case as the result of the environment, a recent trimming or as a side effect of another foot pathology, such as laminitis.

Horse one year later. Photos: Dr. Scott Fleming

Beware of Potential Post-operation Infections

Routine castration leads to a laminitic event in a Thoroughbred racehorse

By Katie Navarra posted on May 13, 2019 | Posted in Diseases, Lamenesses

Why should a farrier be concerned about a routine castration? A post-operation complication from castration, or any other procedure, has the potential to trigger an inflammatory cascade.

Preventing and Managing the Most Common Form of Laminitis

Strategies are improving to keep horses more comfortable and limit the progression of the deadly disease

By Katie Navarra posted on March 17, 2019 | Posted in Diseases, Lamenesses

Less than 2 decades ago, it was thought that all laminitis cases were the same regardless of the cause. Research since has proven that there are key differences in the mechanisms that lead to laminitis in different situations and that there are basically three major forms…

IHCS 2019

Collect Your CE Credits at the International Hoof-Care Summit

By Katie Navarra posted on January 8, 2019 | Posted in Education

Looking for continuing education credits? The International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, qualifies. Veterinarians, vet techs and farriers can learn the latest about the techniques, medications and research relating to hoof care while earning CE hours.

Halting Laminitis

Prevention And Management Strategies For Acute And Chronic Laminitis

By Katie Navarra posted on November 28, 2018 | Posted in Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

Laminitis likely can’t be cured by the time the intricate structures of the hoof degrade, it’s impossible to reverse the damage. That means that prevention, early detection and stopping progression of the disease are critical.

View All Articles by Katie Navarra

Current Issue

American Farriers Journal

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

Detecting and Treating Subsolar Abscesses

Improve Recognition of Hoof Distortion by Drawing One

Building Upon a Foundation of Sound Farriery

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

Fullering Horseshoes

Social Circle, Ga., farrier Lucas Gilleland and Fairhope, Ala., farrier Daniel Jones demonstrate how to fuller a horseshoe to American Farrier’s Association certification standards.

Events

11th Annual World Horseshoeing Classic

Date: 03/04/20

Location: Richmond, KY

World Championship Blacksmiths and Kentucky Horseshoeing School in Richmond, Ky., will host the 11th annual World Horseshoeing Classic from March 4 to March 7, 2020.

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Top Directory Listings

Life Data Labs Inc

Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.

Kawell USA

Kawell began as a university project geared towards innovation, problem solving, and maintenance services for the veterinary industry. Over the last few years we have worked with specialized companies and professionals in order to develop the theoretical and technical basis needed to design and manufacture a therapeutic product for the care of horses and prevention of disease.

SmartPak

From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.