Hiring help can be one of the most advantageous moves that a farrier makes. Yet, it also can be daunting, especially when the arrangement ends unexpectedly. An American Farriers Journal internet poll finds that the vast majority do not look positively on hiring. When asked about their experiences, 75% say that it’s typically a struggle finding and retaining apprentices. Another 24% say that finding and retaining apprentices is a mixed bag. Just 1% say it’s typically a smooth process.

As summer gives way to fall, the diets of your clients’ horses change with the seasons. Hoof quality often transitions with it. Once winter arrives in cold climates, protecting the foot becomes increasingly challenging. Horses are often turned out in snow and mud where their hooves absorb moisture. Those with poor hoof quality become a playground for opportunistic bacteria. Improving the nutrition of a horse with compromised horn can play a part in preventing problems heading into the winter months.