Education

Footcare & Farrier Business Insights

Wed, 03 Jun 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.

Take Advantage of Clinics as an Educational Tool

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Sun, 31 May 2026 22:13:59 -0400

When much of your hoof-care education is coming from in-person events, it’s important that those events contain valuable information. Here, I’ve collected a few tips and tricks to demonstrate the value of getting out to your local clinic or contest.

American Farriers Journal Earns Honorable Mention in American Horse Publications Awards

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

American Farriers Journal’s annual industry benchmark report earned recognition at the American Horse Publications’ Equine Media Awards in Lexington, Ky.

3 Farriers Awarded Jay Lankford Scholarships

Mon, 18 May 2026 18:05:43 -0400

On April 30, 2026, three farriers were awarded $3,000 each in Jay Lankford Memorial Scholarships, which seeks to honor the memory of North Carolina farrier Jay Lankford.

Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation Scholarship Deadlines Approach

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Four times per year, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation awards work ethic scholarships to hard-working, disciplined young men and women to help them offset the education, tool and startup costs of entering the trades. Summer deadlines are approaching quickly.

2027 International Hoof-Care Summit Welcomes Equine Care as a Bronze Level Educational Partner

Tue, 12 May 2026 15:15:58 -0400

The International Hoof-Care Summit is proud to announce Equine Care as a Bronze Level Educational Partner for the Jan. 26-29, 2027, event set to take place in Covington, Ky.

Patrick Reilly Exemplifies Red Renchin’s Qualities

jcota@lesspub.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

An independent, three-member panel that knew Red well has named Hall of Fame farrier Patrick Reilly the inaugural recipient of the Red Renchin Visionary Leadership in Innovation Award.

MFC/Purcell Farrier Supply Joins the International Hoof-Care Summit as a Bronze Level Educational Partner

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:50:42 -0400

The International Hoof-Care Summit is proud to welcome back MFC/Purcell Farrier Supply as a Bronze Level Educational Partner for the 2027 event set to take place in Covington, Ky., just across the river from Cincinnati.

Tell Your Farrier or Mentor You Appreciate Them This Farriers Week

Mon, 04 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Honor the farrier who has impacted your life by completing the form by Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Thank you to Vetericyn® for their support of 2026 Farriers Week.

The Devil's in the Details of Farrier Education

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:55:04 -0400

Moving up through the stages of proficiency — like moving up a division at a horseshoeing contest — requires a skill shift. Small tips and tricks add up until suddenly you’ve built a skillset you didn’t have a year ago. What are your best farrier tips and tricks?

Troy Wood Wins the 2026 World Championship Blacksmiths Season Opener

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The World Championship Blacksmiths kicked off its 20th season with its 2025 National Champion picking up where he left off.

3 Farriers Earn 2025 Rising Shoeing Star Award

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Grit, determination and work ethic allowed them to rise to the top.

Finishing a Great Pair of Nail Nippers

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Randy Luikart explains how he modifies the tool with a grinder

Why the World is So Difficult for Farriers

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:00:00 -0400

One of the most frustrating realities of being a farrier is that we are constantly judged for outcomes we do not fully control. We are working on living biological structures shaped by physics, physiology, posture, environment and management over time. We operate within the constraints of the horse in front of us, and the horse in front of us is a product of far more than just trimming.

Should Horses go Barefoot or Shod?

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Hoof care is too important for horse health to apply misinformation

American Farriers Journal is an AHP Equine Media Awards Finalist

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

American Farriers Journal is among the finalists for the American Horse Publications’ 2026 Equine Media Awards.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Announces 2026 Funding

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced it's funding several studies with benefits to hoof care in 2026.

Just Pick Up the Phone!

lessitef@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400

An aversion to using the phone may often make it more difficult to effectively communicate with clients.

Worshipful Company of Farriers Announces Farriery Progress Awards

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The award celebrates Brooke-trained farriers who have shown commitment to the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules.

International Hoof-Care Summit Welcomes Platinum Performance as a 2027 Gold Level Educational Partner

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0400

The International Hoof-Care Summit is proud to announce Platinum Performance as a Gold Level Educational Partner for the Jan. 26-29, 2027, event set to take place in Covington, Ky.

Zoetis Returns as a 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit Gold Level Educational Partner

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:47:59 -0400

The International Hoof-Care Summit is proud to announce the return of Zoetis as a Gold Level Educational Partner for the Jan. 26-29, 2027, event set to take place in Covington, Ky.

Real-Time Collaboration & Hoof-Care Content Generation Possible with AI Glasses

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:31:44 -0400

Meta's AI Glasses may be good for recording point-of-view videos and collaborating with peers in real time. Would you give them a try?

EasyCare Returns to the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit as a Gold Level Educational Partner

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:35:06 -0400

The International Hoof-Care Summit is proud to announce the return of EasyCare as a Gold Level Educational Partner for the Jan. 26-29, 2027, event set to take place in Covington, Ky.

Who Would You Choose to Sit By?

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

You are boarding a flight and can pick one of these deceased legends to sit next to — and have a deep hoof-care conversation with. Whom do you choose to sit with?

Team WCB Takes Home 2026 World Horseshoeing Classic Win

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:09:24 -0400

The 2026 World Horseshoeing Classic concluded March 14, 2026 at Sweet Dixie South in Reddick, Fla.

California Professional Farriers Association Becomes New AFA Chapter

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:35:59 -0400

On March 14, 2026, the California Professional Farriers Association Facebook page announced that it had filed all the necessary state and federal paperwork to become a nonprofit organization.

International Hoof-Care Summit Welcomes Glue-U Adhesives Back as a Gold Level Educational Partner

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The International Hoof-Care Summit is proud to announce the return of Glue-U Adhesives as a Gold Level Educational Partner for the Jan. 26-29, 2027, event set to take place in Covington, Ky.

3 Reasons Why Horses Pseudo-Trot

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Horses that pseudo-trot often have abnormally shaped feet, and as a result, tend to have soundness issues that limit their useful lives and/or competitive careers. They thus typically require more farrier skill than the naturally sound horse.

Research Journal: April 2026

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When Ringbone isn’t Ringbone
Venography for Hard-to-Find Subsolar Abscesses
Hoof Conformation & Lameness
Accelerometers Assess Injury Risk

6 Wow Moments from the International Hoof-Care Summit

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Hall of Fame farriers shares his top experiences from the 23rd annual event