Every now and then I receive a phone call from someone interested in becoming a farrier. They always want to know what shoeing school I'd recommend. I talk to them for a few minutes to find out their history, especially work experience. Toward the end of the conversation, I never recommend a particular shoeing school. I offer different advice, which may serve as a good reminder for established farriers.

Even before his election, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared removing carriage horses from NYC a top priority. Chief among the reasons is that he's declared the practice as cruel and the living conditions as inhumane.

If you think it's expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the World Championship Blacksmiths' Competition (WCBC) would be dropped from the Calgary Stampede lineup after 2014. While there is much disappointment in the horseshoeing world over this, there is also optimism that another event, unaffiliated with the stampede, will take its place.

When Bob Smith concluded the International Hoof-Care Summit program in late January, he told attendees that he hoped they had taken full advantage of the more than 10,000 years of trimming and shoeing experience that was represented by the folks attending this event.

Today marks the first day I've felt better since being infected with norovirus earlier this week. This wasn't a pleasant way to spend time off from work, but thankfully this illness wasn't long-lasting. Others are not so lucky when it comes to being sick.

Most hoof-care professionals see the need to give back to an industry that has treated them well during their careers. But at the same time, some farriers have shared with us how difficult it can be to pick and choose where they want to volunteer their services.