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American Farriers Journal

AFJ May-June Cover 2015

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May/June 2015

Volume: 41
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

    Crawford
    Shoeing For A Living

    Finding Success In Simplicity

    Organization, tough choices and hard work help Missouri farrier to excel
    By Jeff Cota posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Equipment, Forging, Shoeing, Trimming
    Keep it simple. It’s a popular adage, particularly among farriers. Ironically enough, keeping it simple isn’t really simple at all. Simplicity is the result of organization, tough choices and hard work. Yet, once it’s achieved, the rewards are plentiful.
    Read More

    Thoughts On Medial-Lateral Balance

    Colorado farrier Jim Quick shares food for thought on trimming and shoeing for a balanced foot
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Education, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming
    If you go to a Jim Quick clinic expecting him to dictate how you should shoe a horse, you’re at the wrong clinic. Instead, the Niwot, Colo., farrier says his purpose is to not give instructions to tell other farriers how to shoe, but to share his thoughts on how he does the job. Quick did just that at Bruce Daniels Memorial Clinic in early April when he suggested points of consideration regarding medial-lateral balance.
    Read More

    Remembering Hank McEwan

    The legacy of this horseshoer will live on through the work of the many farriers he taught and inspired
    By Jaime Elftman posted on May 8, 2015
    On March 29, Hank McEwan of Merritt, British Columbia, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of horseshoeing and farrier students. He often is referred to as the father of Canadian farriery and was one of the founding members of the Western Canadian Farrier’s Association (WCFA) and the American Farrier’s Association.
    Read More

    Is There a Link Between Limb Length Disparity and Asymmetrical Feet?

    A study measured the hooves of a small group of horses used in a previous study that examined limb length disparity
    By Marc Jerram posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Lamenesses
    A commonly encountered anomaly when the front feet of the horse are compared is the occurrence of two differently shaped and sized front feet, which can be defined as so-called “uneven” feet. Frequently the smaller hoof will be quite differently shaped from its partner, with more growth height occurring at the heels and converging compression marks occurring midway on the anterior hoof wall.
    Read More
    Tom Willoughby
    In The Shop

    Vultures, Horseshoes And Everything In-Between

    A visit to Indiana farrier Tom Willoughby’s shop gives insight to how practicing ornamental blacksmithing can translate to forging skills with horseshoes
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Forging
    More so than any predecessor, Facebook has connected people who have never met in person or likely ever will. One person who has thousands of friends, many of whom he has yet to shake hands with, is Crown Point, Ind., farrier Tom Willoughby.
    Read More

    Be Part Of The Farriers Spotlight

    We’re looking for more pictures and stories of our favorite hard workers for the 17th annual National Farriers Week
    By Michelle Drewek posted on May 8, 2015
    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 17th annual National Farriers Week, sponsored by American Farriers Journal, will take place from July 5-11, 2015.
    Read More

    Remembering Joe Kutz

    A farrier until the end, the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member will be remembered by many for his dedication to his peers and the industry
    May 8, 2015
    International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame farrier Joe Kutz of St. Louis, Mo., passed away on March 17. After a long horseshoeing career that began in 1943, Kutz always stressed the importance of doing what you love.
    Read More

    Sheared Heels and the Correlation to a Quarter Crack

    A quarter crack repair will be of little value unless the cause of the defect is not identified and rectified
    By Stephen O’Grady posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming
    The strong association between sheared heels and a spontaneous quarter crack is hard to ignore. Although inappropriate farriery may play a role, limb conformation and the landing pattern of the horse appear to be the dominant factors causing this type of hoof capsule deformation.
    Read More

    Giving Your Opinion for a Pre-Purchase Exam

    It is important to reserve your opinions on a horse specifically related to its footcare
    By Audrey Pavia posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients
    Before purchasing a horse, it is common for buyers to contact a veterinarian for advice on the animal prior to the sale. Wise buyers also will seek the expertise of a farrier during the evaluation. After all, farriers are the ultimate experts on the hooves and these days it is increasingly important for owners to understand the hoof health in relation to the rest of the horse.
    Read More
    Shop Talk

    Erin Baayen Joins The American Farriers Journal Staff

    May 8, 2015
    Already experienced in the equine foot-care market, Erin Baayen recently joined the American Farriers Journal and International Hoof-Care Summit advertising and marketing staff. As Senior Account Executive, she will be working closely on marketing issues in print, electronic, trade show and other media with farrier industry suppliers and readers across the country.
    Read More

    Where Does the Problem Originate?

    An extreme case of scoliosis and other issues provide a reminder to look beyond the feet and that conformation can limit what farriers can do to help a horse
    By Jacob Butler CJF, AWCF posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Trimming
    Many times our eyes are drawn to the feet of the horse, since this is our specialty as farriers. As we look at the feet, we might identify various issues that are going on.
    Read More

    Tool Tips From A Tool Master

    Wisconsin farrier Roy Bloom shares several quick tips for getting the most from the tools you use everyday
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Equipment
    If Drummond, Wis., farrier Roy Bloom is at a clinic, it’s a good bet that tools are going to come up. After all, the Hall Of Fame farrier and American Association of Professional Farriers/Canadian Association of Professional Farriers treasurer has built a reputation as a superior toolmaker.
    Read More

    Caudal Heel Pain & Navicular Syndrome

    Thinking more broadly about caudal heel pain, rather than focusing solely on the navicular bone, can help the hoof-care team develop an appropriate treatment
    By Doug Russo posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Diseases
    When it comes to tackling caudal heel pain and navicular syndrome concerns, both farriers and vets got an in-depth lesson at a recent Iowa State University clinic on what the distinct differences can mean when treating horses with this ailment.
    Read More
    Gas Forge

    3 Things To Remember About Gas Forges

    Keeping a forge running its best isn’t hard, but can be easily ignored
    By Jeremy McGovern posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Equipment
    For Cliff Carroll, the complexity of footcare creates such a focus that sometimes the easiest things to prevent go unchecked. The owner of the Larkspur, Colo., supply shop bearing his name says farriers have to constantly think about the trim and the effects of the shoe application so something simple like efficiency with a gas forge is missed.
    Read More
    Spotlight
    Spotlight On Hoof Care

    Horse Owner Education Clinic Helps Solidify Client/Farrier Relationships

    The Midwest Horseshoeing School’s horse owner clinic helped educate horse owners and bridge the gap between farrier knowledge and understanding their clients
    By Jaime Elftman posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Clients, Education, Nutrition
    People don’t always have access to all of the information, or the information they find isn’t always accurate. With their horse owner clinic, the Midwest Horseshoeing School aimed to create a network between equine practitioners and horse owners to solidify the equine community in the area.
    Read More

    Research Journal

    By Albert Kane posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Education, Lamenesses
    A study with dairy calves was conducted to determine if exercise in a mixed terrain (grass, dirt and rocks) affects development of the digital cushion and pedal bones compared to less exercise in a grassy environment. Two-month-old animals were randomly placed into exercise and control groups. For 4 months, the exercise group was fed and watered at opposite ends of a half-mile long lane. Feeding was twice a day so the animals ran or walked briskly behind a feed truck 1 mile a day and walked leisurely to return to water 1 mile a day. After 4 months, the volume and surface areas of the digital cushion and the volumes of the short pastern and coffin bones were compared using magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.
    Read More
  • Featured Articles

    Featured Articles

    Crawford
    Shoeing For A Living

    Finding Success In Simplicity

    Organization, tough choices and hard work help Missouri farrier to excel
    By Jeff Cota posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Equipment, Forging, Shoeing, Trimming
    Keep it simple. It’s a popular adage, particularly among farriers. Ironically enough, keeping it simple isn’t really simple at all. Simplicity is the result of organization, tough choices and hard work. Yet, once it’s achieved, the rewards are plentiful.
    Read More

    Is There a Link Between Limb Length Disparity and Asymmetrical Feet?

    A study measured the hooves of a small group of horses used in a previous study that examined limb length disparity
    By Marc Jerram posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy, Lamenesses
    A commonly encountered anomaly when the front feet of the horse are compared is the occurrence of two differently shaped and sized front feet, which can be defined as so-called “uneven” feet. Frequently the smaller hoof will be quite differently shaped from its partner, with more growth height occurring at the heels and converging compression marks occurring midway on the anterior hoof wall.
    Read More
  • Digital Edition

    Digital Edition

  • Online Extras

    Online Extras

    Online Extras: May/June 2015 Issue

    May 11, 2015

    Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

    • Farrier Kyle Crawford discussing keeping an open mind
    • Video of Jim Quick building a heart bar
    • Marc Jerram's research and standardized method of calculating limb symmetry in pairs of forelimbs
    • Videos of farrier Pablo Calderon's working on a canker case
    • 2015 National Farriers Week Certificate
    • Article about the process for preserving equine specimens for long-term study
    • Physical restraints vs. chemical restraints

    Read More

    Quantifying Functional Limb Length Disparity In Horses

    This pilot study with five horses investigates a standardized method of calculating limb symmetry between pairs of forelimbs
    By Marc Jerram posted on March 1, 2015 | Posted in Anatomy
    Asymmetry of the forelimbs of the horse is acknowledged as a common condition, which can result in asymmetric movement, abnormities of gait and even lameness. Limb length disparity (LLD) has been previously classified into two categories: structural and functional.
    Read More

    [Video] Pablo Calderon’s Canker Case

    California farrier Pablo Calderon shows a canker case he is dealing with and how he is treating it.
    May 11, 2015 | Posted in Diseases
    California farrier Pablo Calderon shows a canker case he is dealing with and how he is treating it.
    Read More

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Farrier Education: Heartland Horseshoeing School

Farrier Education: Heartland Horseshoeing School

Farriery requires knowledge and skills to provide proper equine hoof care. In this series, sponsored by VICTORY, American Farriers Journal visits Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo. In this edition, Chris Gregory discussed his journey to becoming an educator, his focus in teaching farrier students and the state of farrier education.

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Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
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Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
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From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.
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