Mike Wharton has been a farrier for 49 years, launching his career in Pennsylvania. He is now based in Wellington, Fla., working on top sport horses.

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Thoroughbred racehorse farrier Gary Gullo Jr. got his start shoeing under the guidance of his father, Gary Gullo Sr., highly respected racehorse trainer. South Amboy, N.J., racetrack farrier Ian McKinlaay learned horseshoeing from his father and was first paid for shoeing a horse back in the early 1970s. First shoeing Standardbreds, then track Thoroughbreds, McKinley earned a reputation as someone who could help get a horse (especially one with a quarter crack) back in competition. In the heyday of the Meadowlands, he would see about 20 crack cases each day. Today, his practice is devoted to tackling emergency cases and then turning the horse back to the primary farriers.

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In this video, farriers TJ Jones, George Fitzgerland, John Anderson and Arnie Gervasio discuss the impact Kaplan had on sport horse shoeing and the rise of Wellingotn as an equine center. Arnie Gervasio will demonstrate Kappy's theory of "flotation" during a shoeing of a horse.

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According to the American Horse Council, more than a third of the Thoroughbreds (OTTB) annually that don’t make it on the track find a new job elsewhere. When farriers take on these horses, they often are presented with foot management problems, as well as clients who lack the horsemanship to properly transition these horses. Why You Shouldn’t Miss This: Take home practical tips for the common foot problems encountered with these horses.

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Some may find it simple to trim and shoe sport horses. Yet, a circle of obstacles not directly related to the shoeing often appear — saddle, rider, trainer and footing — that can affect the foot and the horse’s overall well-being. Of course, there are many other non-farriery concerns. In this presentation, Aabenraa, Denmark, farrier Jan Krogh will discuss how these obstacles can hamper your ability to keep these athletes sound. He will offer his insight on how to respond on issues and how to react in difficult situations. Why You Shouldn’t Miss This: Get helpful advice on how to approach these obstacles as a farrier.

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There are many considerations for the farrier once a soft tissue injury is diagnosed. From his experiences as a farrier and veterinarian, Scott Fleming of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., will discuss the needs of various Western disciplines once these injuries occur. There are considerations that the team needs to take when helping these athletes rehab and return to the show ring. Why You Shouldn’t Miss This: Leave with practical insight on shoeing techniques you can take back home.

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There are many ways to help horses of all performance reach their potential. There are considerations that each farrier goes though in the evaluation and shoeing that are particular to their practices. In this session, these farriers will share cases that exhibit how they approach this subject by sharing a case in which a horse benefited from shoe, selection, modification and placement.

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Ashland, Ohio, farrier Randy Luikart has spent decades shoeing the American Saddlebred. In this talk, he’ll explain how management of the longer hoof by positional alignment of the hoof with the three axis of the limb by using arc support mechanics and weight bearing evaluation (visual) works. He’ll review Patricia Bona, Amy Barstow, Mary Bramley, Gary Wells and Randy Luikart's methods for maintaining and repairing these feet in relation to his work with the Saddlebred. He’ll remove some of the mystery to trimming these horses if they are foreign to your practice. Why You Shouldn’t Miss This: Get tips for improving your work with long-footed horses.

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There is no set recipe for helping a horse improve its performance through footcare. There are considerations that each farrier goes though in the evaluation and shoeing that are particular to their practices. In this session three farriers will share cases that exhibit how they approach helping a horse reach its full potential.

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The biggest problem confronting a farrier who’s asked to shoe a mule for the first time may very well be fear of the unknown. But once you get past the unknown and misconceptions, the mule can be a rewarding equid to work with, according to Chris Gregory. The owner of the Heartland Horseshoeing School will review how the mule’s different anatomy and temperament require an adaptation to normal shoeing style. You’ll learn a few of the moves for shaping mule shoes, as well as gain a little understanding into the art of handling a mule. Why You Shouldn’t Miss This: Pick up valuable advice on working with mules in your everyday footcare practice.

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Mike Wildenstein says that one of the key things in trimming and shoeing a draft or heavy horse’s foot is to remember what’s above it. In this presentation, the New York farrier will pull from decades of experience to review lessons in trimming and shoeing draft horses that will be as equally beneficial to the newbie as seasoned veterans. Why You Shouldn’t Miss This: Learn trusted approached to managing these animals’ hooves.

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As a polo rider, umpire and farrier, Cornell University’s Steve Kraus has a unique understanding of the horse’s footcare needs. He’ll deliver plenty of keen insight to this presentation. Kraus will touch on many of the complex variables that affect the hoof care of these equine athletes, including rule changes to what’s allowed with shoeing. He’ll discuss some of the shoeing strategies when dealing with lameness issues common with these horses. Why You Shouldn’t Miss This: Gain knowledge about this discipline that can help you grow your practice.

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