Articles by Jeff Cota

Horseshoeing Museum Finds a New Home

Lee Liles’ Museum of Horseshoeing Tools is moving to the Oklahoma City Stockyards

By Jeff Cota posted on March 22, 2019 | Posted in Education, Equipment

The late Lee Liles dedicated his life to preserving the heritage of farriery with the creation of the National Museum of Horseshoeing Tools and Hall Of Honor.

How Ground Surfaces Influence Performance Horses

Research team examines how footing can help and hinder equine athletes

By Jeff Cota posted on March 18, 2019 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses

Farriers and equine veterinarians invest a great deal of time and effort into mitigating the injury risks with the equine athletes in their charge. Much of that focus falls on the ground surfaces that these performance horses compete on.

Shoeing For A Living

Building Upon a Strong Foundation

New York farrier Kalam Blessing focuses on improving horses’ lives by improving his skill set

By Jeff Cota posted on March 17, 2019 | Posted in Business Practices, Lamenesses, Safety & Healthcare, Shoeing, Trimming

Since he was a young boy growing up in southern Pennsylvania, Kalam Blessing has had an affinity for horses. What started out as a child’s hope to score a few rides has blossomed into a career to help horses live more comfortably.

From The Desk Of AFJ

Pacific Northwest Farrier Programs Facing the Axe

By Jeff Cota posted on March 2, 2019 | Posted in Education

It seems that primary farrier education is under fire in the Pacific Northwest.

News & Notes

Lee Liles’ Horseshoeing Museum Is Moving To Oklahoma City

The National Museum of Horse Shoeing Tools will call the Historic Stockyards City its home

By Jeff Cota posted on February 14, 2019 | Posted in Education, Forging, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing

The late Lee Liles dedicated his life to preserving the heritage of farriery with the creation of the National Museum of Horse Shoeing Tools and Hall Of Honor. Nine months after his passing, Liles’ family delivered a valentine to their patriarch and the farrier industry by announcing the collection will have a permanent home in Oklahoma City, Okla.

News & Notes

Controversy Erupts Over Plan to Eliminate Farrier Program

Instructor, students clash with Walla Walla Community College over level of support

By Jeff Cota posted on February 4, 2019 | Posted in Education

After more than 4 decades of training and educating hoof-care students in the Pacific Northwest, Walla Walla Community College is eliminating its Farrier Science Program, and the decision is not sitting well with students, the community and a faculty member.

Farrier Tips

No Foot Growth? It’s a Good Time to Gain on Distortion

By Jeff Cota posted on January 11, 2019 | Posted in Trimming

Among the horses that you regularly tend to, there is probably a segment that doesn’t grow much foot — particularly this time of year. Sending it back to its stall untouched isn’t a choice that you’ll see Lafayette, Ind., farrier Danvers Child make.

Shoeing For A Living

Don’t Limit Your Hoof-Care Options

Hall Of Fame farrier Danvers Child wants as many tools at his disposal as possible to benefit the horse.

By Jeff Cota posted on December 22, 2018 | Posted in Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Equipment, Diseases, Lamenesses, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

There never can be too many tools in a farrier’s shoeing box. After all, the immeasurable quantity of variables involved in equine hoof care is staggering. Why limit yourself?

Bob Marshall Emphasizes the Fundamentals of Hoof Care

Hall of Fame Farrier Shares 60 Years of Experience with Forging and Shoeing Tips

By Jeff Cota posted on December 22, 2018 | Posted in Forging, Shoeing

Back in 2003, Bob Marshall told American Farriers Journal, “What I constantly see with guys is a need to go over the basics. It’s the same every year. No one has even shown some of them how to hold a hammer.”

In Memoriam

Arkansas Farrier And State Legislator Jim House Passes Away

By Jeff Cota posted on December 9, 2018 | Posted in Business Practices

Fayetteville, Ark., farrier, farmer and state legislator Jim House passed away Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, after a farming accident. He was 70.

Videos

Organized & Efficient to Better Serve Farriers w/Oleo Acres: 2025 Supply Shop of the Year

Oleo Acres Farrier and Blacksmith Supply owner Rob Michel walks viewers through the Littleton, Colo., warehouse. Inventory is organized with the customer in mind. If the product is in stock and easy to find, farriers can spend more time under a horse, which Michel says is more money in your pocket.

Events

PPID & the Seasonal Rise

Date: 09/02/26

Location:

Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance (ECIR) Group Inc. is hosting a webinar titled "PPID and the Seasonal Rise" at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. Dr. Eleanor M. Kellon and Dr. Kathleen M. Gustafson are the clinicians.

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Top Directory Listings

Doc Foal's | The Black Pads

At Doc Foal's, we manufacture The Black Pads and The Black Pads PLUS (featuring embedded magnets and copper). Our hybrid pads work seamlessly with your choice of conventional horseshoe, combining metal for structure with polyurethane for exceptional comfort and shock absorption. Designed as a...

Sunrise Farrier Supply

We are here to support you.

We stock a wide range of high-quality products from trusted brands to ensure durability, performance, and reliability in every job you undertake. Our extensive inventory of horseshoe products and farrier tools means you can find everything you need in one place, saving you time and effort. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We are committed to providing excellent customer service, prompt shipping, and hassle-free returns.

Equilox International

Equilox International Inc. specializes in equine horse hoof adhesives. Developed in 1988 after many trials and extensive research at leading universities and equine centers throughout the U.S., the Equilox Adhesive Hoof Repair System was originally used to treat competitive horses. Now, Equilox Adhesive is used by farriers, equine centers, and horse owners — as well as various zoo and wildlife centers — throughout the world.