Web-Exclusive Features

2020 Farriers Week: Farriers Spotlight

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400

In honor of the 22nd annual Farriers Week celebration (July 5-11, 2020), we collected these tributes from members of the equine community to recognize all of the hard work and dedication farriers put forth to keep horses sound.

American Farriers Journal Releases 2019 Farriers Industry Innovators Digital Edition

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 11:36:00 -0400

American Farriers Journal has officially released the digital edition of the 2019 Farrier Industry Innovators. This unique guide highlights the people and stories behind the companies that provide innovative solutions for the hoof care problems of today and tomorrow.

2019 Farriers Week: Farriers Spotlight

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

In honor of the 21st annual Farriers Week celebration (July 7-13, 2019), we collected these tributes from members of the equine community to recognize all of the hard work and dedication farriers put forth to keep horses sound.

Why Poor Hoof Condition May Be a Result of Gastric Ulcers

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Stomach ulcers in horses are a major health epidemic in the equine world and may be preventable or more easily treatable. More than 52% of horses of all breeds from 1 to 24 years old had gastric ulcers during a recent gastro-endoscopic study (Murray et al.). The Equine Gastric Ulcer Council found that gastric ulcers were present in 80-90% of competitive horses in training.

Environmental Factors: How Weather and Temperature Affect Hoof Health

Sun, 09 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Seasonal weather changes have a major effect on a horse’s hoof health. Depending on the time of year, horses’ hooves change and may require extra attention and treatment. Neglecting environmental factors can lead to sole deterioration or other harmful consequences. When it comes to a horse’s environment, there are two main seasonal factors that impact hoof health: temperature and moisture.

2018 Farriers Week: Farriers Spotlight

Sun, 08 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0400

In honor of the 20th annual Farriers Week celebration (July 8-14, 2018), we collected these tributes from members of the equine community to recognize all of the hard work and dedication farriers put forth to keep our horses sound.

In Conversation With Arnie Gervasio

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Arnie Gervasio has been shoeing horses since the 1960s. Over those years, he has seen trends come and go, has worked in multiple disciplines and has built a successful multi-farrier practice. Learn more about his experiences by reading this transcript of "An Interview With Arnie Gervasio."

An Unsung Hero of Roosevelt Raceway

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 12:13:00 -0400

Santoro relied on his ingenuity and his ability to see things that others did not at Roosevelt Raceway. He experimented with developing patches for the horses that had problems such as a quarter crack. As Santoro still says today, "A horse in the barn does not make money."

Picking Up On Equine Joint Disease

Fri, 18 May 2018 18:12:55 -0400

Farriers are a wealth of horse health information for owners, and the frequency in which you see your clients’ horses is a great benefit, especially when it comes to detecting equine joint disease.

The 8 Best Things I Learned from Burney Chapman

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Dave Farley reflects on Burney Chapman's inspiring career and what he personally learned from him.

Hoof Beats: The Language Of Conformation

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 11:07:00 -0400

In today's breeding environment, raising a foal to sell at a yearling sale or race at 2 routinely requires some type of veterinary or clinical assistance regarding conformation.

Marketing Yourself Pays Off

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0400

When Rosevine, Texas, farrier Ralph Hampton meets someone for the first time, you can bet the topic will eventually turn to horses. Hampton admits that some of his colleagues don’t like, nor understand why he’s adamant about marketing his hoof-care practice.

Hoof Beats: Point Of View

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Extreme weather like we have been seeing this summer can affect the horse's hooves mightily. Obviously, the most affected horses are those who are out in it more.

2017 National Farriers Week: Farriers Spotlight

Sun, 09 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0400

In honor of the 19th annual National Farriers Week celebration (July 9-15, 2017), we collected these tributes from members of the equine community to recognize all of the hard work and dedication farriers put forth to keep our horses sound.

Success With Street Nail Procedure

Mon, 22 May 2017 18:29:00 -0400

At the 2017 Iowa State University (ISU) Spring Clinic and Competition, veterinarian Dane Tatarniuk and resident farrier Doug Russo discussed the street nail procedure (navicular bursotomy procedure) and the role of farriery for the horse post surgery.

Familial Digital Deformities Of The Hind Leg Digit

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 17:52:00 -0400

In the Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center Lunchtime Panel discussion on shoeing the hinds at the International Hoof-Care Summit, Kirk Adkins says his career has changed.

Hoof Beats: Climate Change

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 12:26:00 -0400

Mother nature and breeding sheds can have a huge influence on hoof care.

Hoof Beats: The Bruise Brothers

Sun, 05 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Any time trimming the hoof reveals a bruise, three questions arise: Why is it there? How much is it affecting my horse? What can we do to help it?

Hoof Beats: Beneficial Change

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 14:42:00 -0500

The flip-flop pad is a great application in harness racing. Often used for sore knees, flip flops help many horses with back-in-knee conformation. One thing the flip flop is not great for is sore heels, which are prominent among performance horses of all breeds.

What If You Have to Fire a Client?

jcota@lesspub.com — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 15:36:00 -0500

Ridgeland, Wis., farrier Justin Mundt also has scripts that he delivers to clients whom he must fire for one reason or another.

Two Ideas For Racehorse Foot Protection

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:04:00 -0500

Racetrack farrier Steve Norman shows two shoes he uses to keep sore-footed Thoroughbreds in competition.

Hoof Beats: Stinky Frog

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 00:58:00 -0500

Canker is a rare hoof disorder that involves the frog of a hoof. I personally have seen only two or three canker cases over many years of shoeing.

Hoof Beats: Be On The Lookout For Heel Shear

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Heel shear is easily detected by palpating the ungula cartilages, even if it is not visually obvious or your eye is not used to picking up on it.

Hoof Beats: School Of Hard Knocks

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Knee-knockers are a major headache to all horsemen at one time or another. Concern, frustration, and time lost can take them to the edge of their tolerance. The main reason for frustration is not knowing why the horse is hitting his knees.

Hoof Beats: Shock And Awe

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0400

I have written much about the hoof dissipating a great deal of the impact forces between the horse and the ground and want to illustrate two of the main components of that effect.

Hoof Beats: The Amazing Frog

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Everyone in the horse industry has, at one time or another, picked up a horse’s hoof and looked at the bottom. Many of us do this every day. When viewing the bottom of a hoof, the eyes are drawn immediately to a focal point, the frog.

2016 National Farriers Week: Farriers Spotlight

Sun, 10 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0400

In honor of the 18th annual National Farriers Week celebration (July 10-16, 2016), we collected these tributes from members of the equine community to recognize all of the hard work and dedication farriers put forth to keep our horses sound.

Hoof Beats: Checks and Balances

Wed, 25 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400

The check ligaments of the horse are a bit of a tricky structure.

Smith’s His Name, Horseshoes Are His Game

Wed, 25 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Thousands of horseshoes, bound for the scrap heap, are the artistic medium of choice for Joe Smith, who welds them into large-scale treasures.

Hoof Beats: In Suspense

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

In my last two articles, I started discussions about lower limb function. Having written about the superficial and deep flexor tendons, I believe it would be a mistake not to bring the suspensory ligament (SL) into this series.