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American Farriers Journal

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May/June 2021

Volume: 47
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: Make an Apprentice Your Legacy

    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 3, 2021

    What is your top career highlight? Maybe it is a particular case in which you helped the horse overcome a tough injury and return to work. Maybe it is a horse that won a significant race or show thanks to your footcare. Is it the first time you earned money shoeing a horse?


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    What's This? Gait Keeper

    May 3, 2021 | Posted in Education

    When Ransom E. Olds introduced his 1-cylinder, 3-horsepower, tiller-steered, curved-dash Oldsmobile in 1901 for $650, the fledgling American automobile industry was laying the groundwork for greater accessibility to the middle class. Yet, the horse’s role in everyday transportation wasn’t quite ready for the pages of history.


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    Farrier Professionalism is Improving

    An increased emphasis on education and communication in the industry are listed among top reasons for the improved attitudes about hoof-care professionals
    By Frank Lessiter posted on May 4, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

    When it comes to their attitudes about farriers, survey data indicates horse owners have made major gains over the past 3 decades. It’s apparently because farriers are placing more emphasis on developing their hoof-care skills, acting more professional, becoming better business managers and adopting the latest technology to make farrier-to-client communication much easier.


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    Shoeing for a Living

    Arizona Farrier Rises to Dry-Heat Hoof-Care Challenges

    A sharp knife and a sharper mind are among the tools used by Shaun Woodsum in his farriers business
    By Kristen Kubisiak posted on May 4, 2021

    When Chino Valley, Ariz., farrier Shaun Woodsum started shoeing horses more than 30 years ago, it seemed like a good way to pay for his college education. His father Bob James was a horseshoer and the aspiring heavy equipment operator was acquainted with the profession — he knew it would offer a flexible schedule to earn a living and pursue a degree. Once he got a taste of the industry, however, Woodsum quickly changed course.


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    There’s More to Toe Length than Meets the Eye

    Toe length is relative to each horse and many factors should be considered for what is best for a particular horse
    By Randy S Luikart posted on May 4, 2021 | Posted in Trimming
    Which toe length do we talk about? What — there is more than one? No doubt we all discuss toe length, but exactly what toe length do we mean? Most people will comment that feet are too long simply by looking at the dorsal aspect of the hoof.
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    Evidence-Based Prevention of Laminitis in a Clinical Setting

    University of Pennsylvania veterinarian and researcher Andrew van Eps shares what works in laminitis prevention, of which our understanding will change
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 5, 2021
    Dr. Andrew van Eps likes to get the bad news out of the way with audiences when lecturing on laminitis prevention. The associate professor of Equine Musculoskeletal Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine reminds that a cure for laminitis is improbable. Certainly, a laminitic episode can be addressed and the horse can be helped, but even with improvement, there is the danger of recurrence and sustained damage. The good news, however, is we understand intervention better.
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    Farriers Should Not Sedate Clients’ Horses

    An improper injection can lead to significant medical and legal liabilities
    By Katie Navarra posted on May 5, 2021

    Sedation during hoof care is a trend New Hampshire-based farrier Mary Bramley is seeing used more frequently. Predominantly, it is used for safety reasons, but Bramley also has seen farriers use it to train horses to stand and others who lean toward sedation on larger accounts because it allows them to get the job done faster.


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    Set the Horse and Farrier Up for Success

    Ohio shoer has a system for picking up the front foot that puts a horse at ease and increases efficiency
    By Kirk Underschultz posted on May 6, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices
    The front driving position — the position used for pulling shoes, trimming feet and nailing on shoes — begins with the simple, yet profound act of picking up one front foot. It’s profound because many farriers start with a front foot, so how we do that initial act often sets the tone for the rest of the shoeing process.
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    Shop Talk: May/June 2021

    May 7, 2021
    • Thoroughbred Racing Fatal Injury Rate Falls to an All-Time Low
    • Law Grants Small Businesses Extra Bankruptcy Protections Due to COVID-19
    • Industry News
    • In Memoriam

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    Research Journal: May/June 2021

    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 7, 2021
    • Study of Coffin Bone and Hoof Capsule Relationship
    • Lameness in Western Horses
    • Honey for Healing Skin Wounds
    • Nerve Blocks Don’t Affect Movement

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  • Featured Articles

    Featured Articles

    164_Shaun_Woodsun_AZ_KK_0121.jpg
    Shoeing for a Living

    Arizona Farrier Rises to Dry-Heat Hoof-Care Challenges

    A sharp knife and a sharper mind are among the tools used by Shaun Woodsum in his farriers business
    By Kristen Kubisiak posted on May 4, 2021

    When Chino Valley, Ariz., farrier Shaun Woodsum started shoeing horses more than 30 years ago, it seemed like a good way to pay for his college education. His father Bob James was a horseshoer and the aspiring heavy equipment operator was acquainted with the profession — he knew it would offer a flexible schedule to earn a living and pursue a degree. Once he got a taste of the industry, however, Woodsum quickly changed course.


    Read More
  • Digital Edition

    Digital Edition

  • Online Extras

    Online Extras

    Online Extras: May/June 2021

    May 12, 2021
    • Forging Skills: A Review – Read the entire series on forging tips written by Tiffany Gardener and improve your technique in the fire.
    • A Next Generation Rig – Texas horseshoer Don Mock takes you inside of his shoeing rig and shares what  makes it an award-winner in a video.
    • Why Horse Owners Fire Shoers – You many never know why a client fires you, but this article looks at common reasons clients part ways with a farrier.
    • In the Ready Position – Watch Ohio farrier Kirk Underschultz demonstrate how he gets into the front end driving position successfully.

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