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American Farriers Journal

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January/Februrary 2021

Volume: 47
Edition: 1

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: Educate the 14-year-olds

    By Jeremy McGovern posted on January 4, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education, Shoeing, Trimming
    I recently read a tribute posted to Facebook about the late farrier Bob Skradzio. The International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member passed away more than 10 years ago, but is remembered by the countless farriers he impacted through his 60-plus years as a horseshoer. He was a link to industry history — one of the last to work street horses in an urban area who transitioned to a largely recreational riding practice.
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    Briefings: January/February 2021

    January 4, 2021 | Posted in Education, Forging

    The World Championship Blacksmiths awarded its 2020 title to Chris Madrid last month, but it’s worth recalling a tribute from the season. This story begins about 8 years ago when Waxhaw, N.C., farrier Dillon Crane was a young farrier shoeing with his father Jeff.


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    Shop Talk: January/February 2021

    January 5, 2021
    In Memoriam, Massachusetts Farrier Creates Snow Pads to Bolster Cancer Research, World Championship Blacksmiths Concludes 14th Season, AAEP Honors Hall of Fame Veterinarian
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    Bridge Analogy Improves Forging

    Knowledge of how steel reacts to supported and unsupported hammer blows is the key to shaping horseshoes
    By Tiffany Gardner CJF, APF-I and Jonathan Lambert posted on January 5, 2021 | Posted in Forging
    “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” This quote by English writer Samuel Johnson is the heart behind this article. The majority of readers have a functional grasp of forging as it relates to shoeing horses. However, when a skill is not honed with the intent of understanding, small details often can be overlooked or forgotten along the way.
    Read More
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    Shoeing for a Living

    Shoeing Hunters and Jumpers before a Show

    New York farrier Justin Galli says going with the flow is crucial when show schedules have been disrupted by COVID-19
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on January 5, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Shoeing
    Farriery is in the Galli family blood. The family’s shoeing legacy dates back to Fondi, Italy, when blacksmith Orazio Savocchio immigrated to Millbrook, N.Y., in the early 20th century. He changed his name to Galli — another family’s name back in Fondi — because the longer name was difficult for non-Italians to spell or pronounce. His son Louis continued into the trade, later passing the torch to his son Paul. Fourth-generation farrier Justin Galli carries on the family tradition, following his father into the trade about 25 years ago.
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    Why Horse Owners Tell Farriers… “You’re Fired!”

    It’s more than just the feet, as professionalism and business management practices are also a major concern when owners decide to change farriers
    By Frank Lessiter posted on January 6, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients
    Out of the blue, a client texts to say they’ve found another farrier. They may have a reason, whether good or bad, and explain to you why they’ve decided to switch farriers. Or you may never know why they made a change.
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    How Do You Choose the Appropriate Horseshoe?

    Work, intensity, duration, terrain and horse are the five considerations farriers should consider when selecting footgear for a horse
    By Steve Kraus posted on January 6, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Equipment, Shoeing
    Horseshoe production has developed to a high level of quality and variety that’s unparalleled since the 1900s. The many companies that have emerged in the last 35 years, as well as the ease of manufacturing and importing shoes from all over the world, have enabled farriers to have unprecedented choices in our modern age.
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    Use Calipers to Improve Efficiency and Accuracy When Punching Nail Holes

    Measurement tools can aid farriers in everyday work and competition
    By Daniel Jones posted on January 6, 2021 | Posted in Equipment
    Training your eye is one of the most important skills you will learn as a farrier. It’s also one of the skills for which time has no substitute. Fortunately, new and veteran farriers alike have a variety of measurement tools that can serve as a guide, whether you’re at a barn earning your living or at a competition honing your shoemaking skills.
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    Badass Rigs & Trailers

    Shoeing Saddlebreds

    Farrier Paul Human shoes Saddlebreds more efficiently thanks to his shoeing rig
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on January 7, 2021 | Posted in Equipment
    When driving across several states to shoe horses, a farrier requires a reliable truck. Shelbyville, Ky., farrier Paul Human has counted on a 2005 Chevrolet C5500, which has logged more than 300,000 miles traveling across the seven states his clients reside. Because his practice combines traveling long distances and shoeing gaited horses, Human’s truck body also must fit his business.
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    Seeing the Invisible Illness

    Post-traumatic stress disorder doesn’t have to rule your life, damage your career or define your identity
    By Allison Armstrong Rehnborg posted on January 31, 2020 | Posted in Business Practices, Safety & Healthcare
    For farrier Steve McConnell, the day his life changed started out like any other. One moment, the Waterford, Ontario, native was absorbed in the ordinary task of fueling his shoeing rig for the week; the next, he was drowning in a powerful vortex of emotions and memories he’d spent years trying to forget.
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    Footcare Fit for a Farrier

    Proper shoe selection will enable hoof-care professionals to improve posture and reduce pain
    By Dr. Patricia Bona posted on January 7, 2021 | Posted in Safety & Healthcare
    Farriers are well-acquainted with the phrase “no foot, no horse.” They understand probably better than anyone that strong, sound feet lay the groundwork for the overall health of the equine. Despite this understanding, farriers are often surprisingly unaware about their own footcare needs, and the adverse health effects that can result from poor shoe selection and fit as it relates to the farrier’s foot — the most significant being poor posture.
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    Understand Breakover and the Implications of Manipulating it

    Definitions vary among hoof-care professionals, but improperly influencing it can produce significant problems
    By Katie Navarra posted on January 8, 2021
    Life would be simpler if the definition of breakover, as it relates to horses, is as unambiguous as Merriam-Webster’s entry of breakover, as it relates to publishing. The dictionary describes breakover as, “the portion of a newspaper or magazine story continued on another page.” This leaves little room for interpretation.
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    Farrier Interviewing Farrier: Andy Darden

    By Katie Gaudet posted on January 8, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Forging
    Whether at a convention, certification or contest, you can usually see Andy Darden with his red truck. I met him a few years ago at the first Forge of July in Shelbyville, Ky. He took the time to explain his tool making process, offered advice and shared the wisdom he’s earned over decades as a farrier and toolmaker to all who stopped by his truck.
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  • Featured Articles

    Featured Articles

    F1a_1b_3D.jpg

    Bridge Analogy Improves Forging

    Knowledge of how steel reacts to supported and unsupported hammer blows is the key to shaping horseshoes
    By Tiffany Gardner CJF, APF-I and Jonathan Lambert posted on January 5, 2021 | Posted in Forging
    “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” This quote by English writer Samuel Johnson is the heart behind this article. The majority of readers have a functional grasp of forging as it relates to shoeing horses. However, when a skill is not honed with the intent of understanding, small details often can be overlooked or forgotten along the way.
    Read More
    356__SONY_VA_PA_CT_NY_JM_0920.jpg
    Shoeing for a Living

    Shoeing Hunters and Jumpers before a Show

    New York farrier Justin Galli says going with the flow is crucial when show schedules have been disrupted by COVID-19
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on January 5, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Lamenesses, Shoeing
    Farriery is in the Galli family blood. The family’s shoeing legacy dates back to Fondi, Italy, when blacksmith Orazio Savocchio immigrated to Millbrook, N.Y., in the early 20th century. He changed his name to Galli — another family’s name back in Fondi — because the longer name was difficult for non-Italians to spell or pronounce. His son Louis continued into the trade, later passing the torch to his son Paul. Fourth-generation farrier Justin Galli carries on the family tradition, following his father into the trade about 25 years ago.
    Read More
  • Digital Edition

    Digital Edition

  • Online Extras

    Online Extras

    Online Extras: January/February 2021

    January 12, 2021

    Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

    • Let Calipers Be Your Guide Fairhope, Ala., farrier Daniel Jones shares his tips in a video about how to make the most of this important tool.
    • Badass Certified Rig Shelbyville, Ky., farrier Paul Human offers a video tour of the rig he relies on for efficiency in a Saddlebred shoeing practice that spans seven states.
    • The Breakover Debate International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member Mitch Taylor explains what creates the differing views about breakover in this video.
    • Horse Owner Survey Results American Farriers Journal staff recently surveyed horse owners who had decided to change farriers within the last 3 years. The responses might surprise you.

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