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American Farriers Journal

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May/June 2016

Volume: 42
Edition: 4

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

  • Table Of Contents

    Table Of Contents

    Frankly Speaking: 3 Lessons On Managing Clients

    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Clients, Education
    Back in January 2013, Delaware, Ohio, farrier Dean Moshier was invited to be on an online radio show Stable Scoop on Horse Radio Network. In it, he discussed a top 10 list of what most farriers wanted their clients to know. Over the last 3 years, these questions and answers have evolved, mainly influenced by client interactions within Moshier’s practice. He recently delivered this at the Midwest Horse Fair, which draws tens of thousands of equine enthusiasts to south-central Wisconsin every year.
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    Briefings May/June 2016

    May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Equipment, Forging, Diseases, Lamenesses, Nutrition

    Lameness Occurs The Most Of All Equine Medical Problems

    According to federal researchers, lameness has the highest annual incident density of all medical problems in horses, DVM360 Magazine reports. Half of all horse operations with five or more horses have one or more cases of lameness annually. Another federal report estimates lameness incidence at 7.5% to 13.7% annually.


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    Letterbox: May/June 2016

    Update On “Licensing” Effort
    May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices
    Progress continues in our work to define the professionalization of farriers. A few of us met and discussed many of the processes and permutations of the “Initiative to Professionalize the Practice of Equine Footcare and Farriery” in early March. We’ll meet in late summer, when progress can be assessed and new assignments undertaken.
    Read More
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    Contrary To Popular Opinion

    Research indicates that the positive effects of particular shoe selection for Western Pleasure horses are guided by the perceptions of judges and trainers rather than reality
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Shoeing
    Many trainers and owners often try to convince a farrier to adopt a certain style of trimming or shoeing based on a myriad of factors. Sometimes the motivation comes from a belief that a particular change will improve the horse’s overall performance, resulting in better scores from judges.
    Read More
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    Understanding And Managing Quarter Cracks

    California farriers offer their advice to achieve positive outcomes
    By Christy Corp-Minamiji DMV posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

    Tim Shannon has some succinct advice for farriers who deal with quarter cracks. “I’d suggest whoever wants to get into it to find somebody who knows a lot about [handling quarter cracks] to walk you through it,” advises the San Moreno, Calif., farrier. “There is a lot to crack repair.”


    Read More

    Getting to the Bottom of Toe Cracks

    Understanding what causes the problem is critical to correcting it
    By Eric Gilleland CJF posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Lamenesses, Shoeing

    Toe cracks come in different forms, but none of them look good. Some cracks are small, others are long up the wall. Some are deep and others are superficial. All of us have heard, “Can you fix that crack?” Some can be corrected, but others will die with the horse. The biggest thing we must learn is what causes the crack in the first place. It’s just as important to know where it comes from as to where it’s going.


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    Lacing And Patching Cracks: Still Getting Horses Back Into Competition

    Decades after Ian McKinlay patched his first crack, the New Jersey farrier still has success with the practice when the case dictates
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Diseases, Therapeutic Shoeing
    Growing up in Ontario, Ian McKinlay learned crack repair from his father J.C., a pioneer in the practice. J.C. McKinlay started repairing cracks in Ontario in the 1960s, primarily with Standardbreds at Toronto’s Greenwood Mohawk Racetrack and his farm. The younger McKinlay told attendees of the March Razerhorse clinic in Denton, Texas, that his late father would be amazed at how farriers have adapted his work in lacing and patching cracks.
    Read More
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    Why Equine Bones Break and Tendons Rupture

    Understanding anatomy and physics can help prevent severe injuries
    By Audrey Pavia | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Lamenesses
    The life of one of the most promising racehorses of our time was cut short in 2006 after a long struggle to recover from a shattered fetlock. Barbaro’s injury at the Preakness Stakes and the New Bolton Center's heroic attempts to save him drew a lot of attention to the question of why so many young performance horses suffer from broken bones and ruptured tendons. Are these kinds of injuries inevitable? Should we give up trying to solve this problem?
    Read More
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    Farrier Q&A: May/June 2016

    What are your criteria for selecting a pad to put on a horse? What type of pad and why?
    May 9, 2016 | Posted in Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing
    A: The first question I ask is “Why?” Why affix a pad to the horse’s hoof? Is it necessary? What is my objective? Is it beneficial to the horse during the shoeing cycle? Will it aid in protection and relief? Is it needed for environmental reasons, such as rocky terrain? Or is there a therapeutic need for it — sole protection, pathology, ligament/tendon issues?
    Read More
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    Booknotes: An Unparalled Presentation Of Equine Anatomy

    The Illustrated Horse’s Foot (A Comprehensive Guide)
    By Travis Burns posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Education

    The Illustrated Horse’s Foot (A Comprehensive Guide) is the latest book by veterinary surgeon and researcher Christopher C. Pollitt. Released in December 2015 by Elsevier as a follow-up to Pollit’s renowned book, Color Atlas of the Horse’s Foot, which is no longer in print. This 272-page book is a must-have for all equine practitioners specifically all farriers and equine veterinarians.


    Read More
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    Be Part Of The Farriers Spotlight

    We’re looking for more pictures and stories of our favorite hard workers for the 18th annual National Farriers Week
    By Michelle Drewek posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients
    Farriers work hard year-round to provide quality hoof care for horses worldwide. Although we hope appreciation is shown all year long, each year we set aside a week dedicated to honoring your work. The 18th annual National Farriers Week, sponsored by American Farriers Journal, will take place from July 10-16, 2016.
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    Test Aluminum’s Heat Before Working With It

    Aluminum holds its heat well, but are you working it at the correct temperature?
    May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment, Forging
    Aluminum stock remains a popular choice for a variety of horses, primarily due to its lighter weight. Another advantage is that aluminum can be shaped hot or cold. While the typical thinking might be that racing plates and lighter shoes will be shaped cold, and heavier aluminum shoes like those used for hunters and jumpers will be put in the forge, that also proves to be a matter of personal preference.
    Read More
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    Creating A Simple And Functional Workstation

    California farrier maximizes time and money by converting air compressor trailer
    By Jeff Cota posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment
    If you’re handy and looking to save money on a farrier rig, a do-it-yourself project might be the way to go. Both handy and looking to save money, Sam Fabila had big plans for a small U-Haul 3x5 box trailer that he converted into a rig.
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    Research Journal: May/June 2016

    The information, ideas and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Department of Agriculture.
    By Albert Kane posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Nutrition, Therapeutic Shoeing
    Joint Injections Compared Joint injections using corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid (HA) or a combination of the two are commonly used to treat synovitis and arthritis in performance horses. In this study, researchers compared the efficacy of one type of corticosteroid (triamcinolone acetate, TA) with and without HA for the treatment of lameness, localized to one limb only that responded to a diagnostic joint block. Eighty horses of various breeds were enrolled in the study with follow-up at 3 weeks by re-examining the horses and 3 months by an owner questionnaire. No other medications were permitted during the first 3 weeks of follow-up.
    Read More
  • Featured Articles

    Featured Articles

    Opener_SquareToe_.jpg

    Contrary To Popular Opinion

    Research indicates that the positive effects of particular shoe selection for Western Pleasure horses are guided by the perceptions of judges and trainers rather than reality
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Shoeing
    Many trainers and owners often try to convince a farrier to adopt a certain style of trimming or shoeing based on a myriad of factors. Sometimes the motivation comes from a belief that a particular change will improve the horse’s overall performance, resulting in better scores from judges.
    Read More
    20160419_080122.png

    Test Aluminum’s Heat Before Working With It

    Aluminum holds its heat well, but are you working it at the correct temperature?
    May 9, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment, Forging
    Aluminum stock remains a popular choice for a variety of horses, primarily due to its lighter weight. Another advantage is that aluminum can be shaped hot or cold. While the typical thinking might be that racing plates and lighter shoes will be shaped cold, and heavier aluminum shoes like those used for hunters and jumpers will be put in the forge, that also proves to be a matter of personal preference.
    Read More
    Opener_Weller_AFJ_0516.jpg

    Why Equine Bones Break and Tendons Rupture

    Understanding anatomy and physics can help prevent severe injuries
    By Audrey Pavia | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Lamenesses
    The life of one of the most promising racehorses of our time was cut short in 2006 after a long struggle to recover from a shattered fetlock. Barbaro’s injury at the Preakness Stakes and the New Bolton Center's heroic attempts to save him drew a lot of attention to the question of why so many young performance horses suffer from broken bones and ruptured tendons. Are these kinds of injuries inevitable? Should we give up trying to solve this problem?
    Read More
  • Digital Edition

    Digital Edition

  • Online Extras

    Online Extras

    Online Extras: May/June 2016

    May 9, 2016

    Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

    • Videos with Ritner Goff discussing his successful apprentice program
    • Videos with Ian McKinley detailing his process for lacing and patching cracks
    • Videos with Fabio Gnoatto talking about his trimming and shoeing philosophy
    • Information about the 2016 National Farriers Week and submitting your farrier tributes
    • Article about using a TIG welder
    • Video with Sam Fabilia showing his DIY farrier rig workstation

    Read More

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Events

PPID & the Seasonal Rise

Date: 09/02/26
Location:

Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance (ECIR) Group Inc. is hosting a webinar titled "PPID and the Seasonal Rise" at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. Dr. Eleanor M. Kellon and Dr. Kathleen M. Gustafson are the clinicians.

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