Achieving the benefits of the therapeutic applications that have been covered over the past eight installments generally can be replicated by most any skill level and budget. The same is not true for the ninth and final subject — the light rail or omni-directional shoe.

Hiring help can be one of the most advantageous moves that a farrier makes. Yet, it also can be daunting, especially when the arrangement ends unexpectedly. An American Farriers Journal internet poll finds that the vast majority do not look positively on hiring. When asked about their experiences, 75% say that it’s typically a struggle finding and retaining apprentices. Another 24% say that finding and retaining apprentices is a mixed bag. Just 1% say it’s typically a smooth process.

Hall of Fame farrier Dave Farley was working for the large animal hospital at Ohio State University when he first realized the profound impact that point of view can have on evaluating the equine limb. “One of the tools we had was a fluoroscope,” he says, noting that it had a fluorescent screen and was used for viewing X-ray images without taking or developing X-ray photographs.

Six years ago, Wes Meyer was trimming and shoeing a lot of horses and making good money. Yet, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., farrier's practice wasn't doing as well as it should be. Meyer was chasing outstanding payments, his inventory was too high and his horses were losing shoes. He recognized the need for an improved way of doing business.