Home / Authors / Jeff Cota

Articles by Jeff Cota

0254_SFJ_Jake_Whitman_JC_0317.jpg

Tool Shopping Advice From Veteran Farriers

By Jeff Cota posted on August 14, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices, Products
What’s a better way to celebrate the dawn of your farrier career than tool shopping?

There’s no doubt that the temptation runs high to grab the top-of-the-line pair of nippers that are polished so brightly that a pair of sunglasses should come standard with them. While the feel and performance of a high-quality tool often are worth the price, many young farriers have a steep financial mountain to climb when starting out.


Read More

Gain A Foothold In The Business Of Hoof Care

By Jeff Cota posted on August 14, 2017
Equine hoof care is a close-knit industry. When a group of farriers get together, the conversation generally focuses on sharing knowledge about the foot — lamenesses, shoes, tools, etc. The passion to improve footcare results in a stronger, more knowledgeable trade. While the practical aspect of farriery grows, there’s another that doesn’t get enough attention — farriery is a business.
Read More
Jeff_Cota.png
From The Desk Of AFJ

NYC Carriage Horse Foes Waving The White Flag?

By Jeff Cota posted on July 21, 2017
After spending millions of dollars during a 4-year quixotic campaign to criminalize the New York City carriage horse industry, an animal rights organization reportedly is waving the white flag. Or are they?
Read More
OPEN_FEIWorldCup_AFJ_0717.jpg

A World Cup Education

Jason Critton’s farrier team embraces the chance to learn from some of the best at the FEI jumping and dressage finals
By Jeff Cota posted on July 3, 2017 | Posted in Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing
It would be easy to sit around as a horse show farrier and collect a paycheck while waiting for something to happen. After all, there’s a fair amount of down time, and it would be a nice break after shoeing scores of horses the previous week.
Read More
OPEN_SFL_RHampton_AFJ_0717.jpg

Putting Service in Customer Service

East Texas farrier thrives by embracing marketing and good business practices
By Jeff Cota posted on July 3, 2017 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Diseases, Lamenesses
At his core, Ralph Hampton is a farrier. Not like Jack is in construction or Jill is an administrator. The Rosevine, Texas, shoer is a throwback to the days when a farrier fulfilled an important role in a small rural town. “This is not something you do for a living,” he says. “This is something you do for life.”
Read More

Top Articles

Current Issue

View More

Current Issue

View More

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

View More

Videos

Farrier Education: Heartland Horseshoeing School

Farrier Education: Heartland Horseshoeing School

Farriery requires knowledge and skills to provide proper equine hoof care. In this series, sponsored by VICTORY, American Farriers Journal visits Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo. In this edition, Chris Gregory discussed his journey to becoming an educator, his focus in teaching farrier students and the state of farrier education.

View More

Events

More Events
Top Directory Listings
Life Data Labs

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 2023.jpg

Kawell USA

Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
Smart Pak

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.
View More