American Farriers Journal

Footcare & Farrier Business Insights

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Each week our editors will bring you data we collected in our American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey. Check back weekly for our latest update.

Duckett Vs. Russell

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With today’s keen interest in hoof mapping that offers external hoof landmarks to explain the location of a hoof’s internal anatomy, the American Farriers Journal staff decided it was time to share the extraordinary Dave Duckett vs. William Russell article that appeared in the March 1999 issue.

A New Top Dog: Meet the 2027 Farrier Dog of the Year

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400

American Farriers Journal is excited to share the winner of the 2027 Farrier Dog of the Year Contest!

No Easy Fuel Choice for Shoeing Rigs

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With the 2026 mid-summer national average price of diesel around $1.50 per gallon higher than gas, here’s a look back to 2008 when American Farriers Journal produced this in-depth comparison of fuel choices for shoeing rigs.

Why Thrush Treatments Fail: The Importance of Reaching the Infection Site

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Few hoof conditions create as much frustration for farriers as chronic thrush. In this article, brought to you by Absorbine, they discuss getting treatment to the infection site and keeping it there long enough to be effective.

The Gallop: Horses at Speed

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The canter and gallop are similar in that both are asymmetrical and thus can be performed on either a right or left lead. However, the canter is slower and daintier, while the gallop, by contrast, is the gait of the war horse, polo horse, jumper and racehorse.

A Farrier’s Perspective of Equine Conformation

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Every horse is built differently, but every horse deserves optimal support. Farriers can learn to systematically evaluate limb alignment from the group up, identifying key conformational deviations to craft hoof-care solutions that maximize athletic potential. Michael Wildenstein will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Where Equine Veterinary Practices Spend Their Dollars

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A recent study of equine veterinarian businesses shows payroll and employee benefits account for than average of 41% of a clinic’s yearly income.

An Investigation of Hoof Mechanism Characteristics Following the Application of Wire Trackers & Various Shoeing Treatments Involving the Shod & Unshod Foot

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Take the guesswork out of back-of-the-foot mechanics. Discover findings from a 90-day Thoroughbred study and controlled load testing to see how moisture, shoe choice, and support materials directly change hoof deformation in daily practice. Nigel Fennell will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Hoof-Care Highlights: August 29, 2026

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Symptom vs. Cause
Caulk & Wedge
Desensitization
Rehabbing Laminitis
The Pastern Joint

Red Renchin Innovation Lecture, Presented by American Farriers Journal Why is My Horse Lame?

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400

As one of the leading reasons owners call for help, lameness demands clear action. Explore how farriers can pair equine anatomy and biomechanics with practical farriery interventions to manage common issues and restore soundness. Steve Kraus will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Hoof-Care Product Roundup - August 2026

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:00:03 -0400

Check out the latest hoof-care products from some of the industry's leading suppliers.

Vascular Pathways of the Hoof Capsule

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400

What really happens to blood flow inside the hoof capsule under load? Explore key vascular zones, mechanical perfusion theories, and clinical strategies that farriers use to support tissue growth and guide complex rehabilitation cases. Stuart Muir will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Tell 'em You're Off the Clock

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

If you are like most farriers after a hard day's work, you might be winding down at a restaurant, a birthday party. your teen-age girls’ softball game or attending a school meeting. And that’s when someone walks up and asks you for free foot-care or veterinary advice.

VIP Hands-On Dissection Wet Lab

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400

See exactly how external hoof appearance mirrors internal structural health. In this exclusive wet lab, farriers evaluate cadaver limbs before, during, and after dissection to refine their diagnostic eye and deepen anatomical knowledge. Paige Poss will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

[Podcast] A Conversation with Brent Chidsey

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the American Farriers Journal Podcast, brought to you by Hoof MD, International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer Tom Curl sits down with founder of Stonewell Bodies and Bay Horse Innovations Brent Chidsey.

[Video] A Conversation with Brent Chidsey

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Burney Chapman Memorial Lecture, Presented by Life Data Labs How Our Understanding of Laminitis Has Changed: Nutrition, Care & Mechanics

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Tackling one of equine medicine's more daunting diseases takes a complete strategy. Explore how historical insights and modern, evidence-based practices empower farriers to safeguard horses at risk and support those in active recovery. Shane Westman will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Hoof-Care Highlights: August 22, 2026

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Spacial Relationships
Shaping a Shoe
Collateral Ligament Shoe
Shoeing High-Low Feet
Final Approach: Alwyn & Erica McKeown

Wyoming Farrier Bruce Jorgensen Passes Away

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:10:21 -0400

Wyoming farrier Bruce Jorgensen passed away. He was 78.

Hoof Mapping Workshop

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Take the guesswork out of hoof mapping. Join Stuart Muir for an interactive session where farriers map real feet, compare findings directly with X-rays, and hone their anatomical accuracy. Stuart Muir will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Is There Such a Thing as the Perfect Length of Toe?

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0400

How short is too short- and how long is too long? Explore how ground reaction forces, soft footing, and internal strain impact the horse's foot, giving farriers an objective framework to measure ideal toe length. Yogi Sharp will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

The Role of Shoeing in the Rehabilitation of Equine Patients, Presented by Bartek

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Rehabilitating a lame horse isn't just about restoring soundness; it's about restoring performance. Explore how conventional and split-shoe techniques help farriers bridge the gap between initial healing and athletic return. Bart Halsberghe will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Reasons for Making Your Own Hoof Knife Blades

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

So, why does Luikart make his knives?

Hoof-Care Highlights: August 15, 2026

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Footing & Biomechanics
Managing Hoof Cracks
Steroids & Insulin Dysregulation
Lateral Extension Whip Across Bar Shoe
Learning from Mistakes

Hall of Fame Veterinarian Marvin Beeman Passes Away

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:03:32 -0400

Hall of Fame veterinarian George "Marvin" Beeman passed away. He was 93.

Controlling Arthritis Pain

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Medical management played a critical role throughout the process of bringing 15 year-old Clydesdale cross gelding Jackson back to comfort and movement.

Using a Portable Forge

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Enterprising farriers have built their own portable coal forges.

Online Extras: September/October 2026

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

More on endocrinopathic laminitis
More from Steve Kraus
More on the Farrier Business Practices Survey
More from Remington Leach
Upright vs. Club Foot
A Judge’s Perspective
Managing IR
American Farriers Journal Multimedia
American Farrier's Journal’s Best of the Web

American Farriers Journal

Footcare & Farrier Business Insights

Duckett Vs. Russell

A New Top Dog: Meet the 2027 Farrier Dog of the Year

No Easy Fuel Choice for Shoeing Rigs

Top 10 Hoof-Care Stories in August 2026

Why Thrush Treatments Fail: The Importance of Reaching the Infection Site

The Gallop: Horses at Speed

A Farrier’s Perspective of Equine Conformation

Where Equine Veterinary Practices Spend Their Dollars

An Investigation of Hoof Mechanism Characteristics Following the Application of Wire Trackers & Various Shoeing Treatments Involving the Shod & Unshod Foot

Hoof-Care Highlights: August 29, 2026

Red Renchin Innovation Lecture, Presented by American Farriers Journal Why is My Horse Lame?

Hoof-Care Product Roundup - August 2026

Vascular Pathways of the Hoof Capsule

Tell 'em You're Off the Clock

VIP Hands-On Dissection Wet Lab

[Podcast] A Conversation with Brent Chidsey

[Video] A Conversation with Brent Chidsey

Burney Chapman Memorial Lecture, Presented by Life Data Labs How Our Understanding of Laminitis Has Changed: Nutrition, Care & Mechanics

Hoof-Care Highlights: August 22, 2026

Wyoming Farrier Bruce Jorgensen Passes Away

Hoof Mapping Workshop

Is There Such a Thing as the Perfect Length of Toe?

The Role of Shoeing in the Rehabilitation of Equine Patients, Presented by Bartek

Reasons for Making Your Own Hoof Knife Blades

Hoof-Care Highlights: August 15, 2026

Hall of Fame Veterinarian Marvin Beeman Passes Away

Controlling Arthritis Pain

Using a Portable Forge

Online Extras: September/October 2026