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Articles by Jeff Cota

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Don’t Let Quarter Cracks Slow Your Clients

Understand the pitfalls for better patching of performance horses
By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming
Understanding how quarter cracks occur is critical to managing the injury, not to mention keeping the horse going. Wellington, Fla., farrier Curtis Burns classifies quarter cracks into three categories — concussion, rotational and blunt trauma.
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Getting A Handle On Hammers

Selecting, maintaining and using one of the most important tools in your box
By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment, Forging
What do a hammer handle and a wooden spoke from an Amish buggy have in common? For Hall Of Fame farrier Roy Bloom, both represent quality and durability.
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Avoid Undesirable Clients By Asking These 6 Questions

Red Velvet Rope Policy guards Wisconsin farrier’s hoof-care practice from troublesome horse owners
By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients
Surviving the rigors of the farrier industry often relies on whether you can build a clientele that helps to make ends meet. On the other hand, the survival of your sanity often depends upon the quality of your clientele, rather than the quantity.
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Good Ideas To Improve Your Rig

Farriers, manufacturers share tips to make your job easier
By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Education, Equipment
When a farrier starts opening up a shoeing rig at a clinic, a curious thing occurs. The stories that are being swapped among the small pockets of congregants in the parking lot begin to lose their allure, and an easygoing migration begins. Like moths to a flame, farriers can’t resist checking out someone else’s shoeing rig. They amble on over, greet the farrier who graciously offers the welcome distraction and casually explore the mobile office.
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Molding Better Backyard Horse Clients

Communication and motivating owners are keys to managing hoof care
By Jeff Cota posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education
One of the stone cold, lead pipe locks in the industry is that the overwhelming majority of farriers work on backyard horses. Only 8% of all farriers do not have a single backyard horse client, according to American Farriers Journal’s 2016 Farrier Business Practices Survey, which starts on Page 22. That percentage has not moved appreciably in 14 years. It’s a safe bet that the needle won’t move in the foreseeable future.
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News & Notes

Congressional Members Urge Action From USDA

Letter calls for final rule to apply only to 3 breeds associated with soring
By Jeff Cota posted on October 29, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Shoeing, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming
As the public comment period for the proposed amendments to the Horse Protection Act came to an end last week, nearly 200 influential people banded together to urge action from the United States Department of Agriculture.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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