Education

Maintaining & Repairing Hand Tools

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Dull or damaged tools drag down your efficiency and drain your wallet. Farriers can learn simple, professional maintenance and repair techniques to keep hand tools performing like new and dramatically extend their working lifespan.Mark Aikens will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Footcare & Farrier Business Insights

Wed, 23 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.

Hoof MD Returns to the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit as a Bronze Level Partner

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:00:00 -0400

The International Hoof-Care Summit is proud to welcome Hoof MD back as a Bronze Level Educational Partner for the 2027 event set to take place in Covington, Ky.

Horseshoe Modifications Based on Equine Conformation Evaluation

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Every hammer blow and modification should serve a clear anatomical purpose. Farriers can discover how to apply targeted shoe modifications that address specific conformational deviations, old injuries, and limb pathologies without compromising total-body function. Michael Wildenstein will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Is Hind Hoof Balance Linked to Spinal issues?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Can hind hoof balance actually trigger back, stifle, and hock pain? Farriers can dive into the research behind negative plantar angles and camped-under posture to understand whole-body pathologies and master evidence-based shoeing protocols.Yogi Sharp 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 Arek Boulding

Mon, 21 Sep 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 Lone Camp, Texas, farrier Arek Boulding.

[Video] A Conversation with Arek Boulding

Mon, 21 Sep 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 Lone Camp, Texas, farrier Arek Boulding.

It’s a Business!

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Craftsmanship builds your reputation, but smart business operations build your livelihood. Farriers can unlock five decades of hard-won wisdom to master pricing structure, control overhead, and run a highly sustainable practice. Steve Kraus will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Tips from the 2020 International Hoof-Care Summit

lessitef@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Our latest set of International Hoof-Care Summit "flashback" tips comes from Doug Anderson and Curtis Burns at the 2020 Summit.

Continuing Education Can Help Reach Your Full Potential

jacob@dougbutler.com — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:41:27 -0400

Commitment, consistency and accountability will help you achieve your goals in improving your skill and knowledge as a farrier.

Special Equine Limb Dissection

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Anatomy isn't just theory—it's the foundation of every trim and shoe placement. Farriers can go beneath the skin in an extended limb dissection to inspect critical internal structures firsthand and deepen their anatomical precision. Mitch Taylor will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Exhibitor & Supplier Summit Countdown — September

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:30:00 -0400

Check out the latest Summit news and updates.

Henry Heymering Legacy Lecture, Presented by American Farriers Journal Ground Reaction Force in Application

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

How do shoe placement and web width actually alter ground reaction forces under load? Farriers can explore rare FWCF award-winning research that replaces anecdotal theories with hard biomechanical data across multiple arena surfaces. Cody Gregory will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Respective Responsibilities: The Foundation of a Successful Business

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Great horseshoeing skills won't keep your doors open if the business side falls apart. Farriers can learn proven financial, inventory, and client management strategies to build a highly profitable, sustainable practice that withstands industry challenges. Esco Buff will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Troy Wood Wins the 2026 Blacksmith World Championship

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:00:00 -0400

Riverside, Wash., farrier Troy Wood takes home the 2026 World Championship Blacksmith title at Spruce Meadows.

Shoeing for Strength & the Importance of Third Phase Intervention

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Three decades at the anvil teach lessons that textbooks simply can't capture. Farriers can unlock proven, field-tested insights from a Hall of Famer to maintain hoof wall integrity and capsular health throughout every shoeing and trimming cycle. Nigel Fennell will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Physiological Factors that Influence the Distal Limb

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

How does the hoof capsule absorb impact under massive workloads? Join Stuart Muir to explore locomotion dynamics and learn targeted shoeing strategies that farriers use to control load distribution and restore distal limb function. Stuart Muir will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Strategies for Evaluating Horses to Maximize Hoof Care

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Looking beyond the foot changes everything. Learn how connecting full-body posture and movement to hoof wear empowers farriers to tailor individual shoeing plans that protect soundness and unleash athletic performance. Mike Stine will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

How to be Accurate about the Hoof Balance You Create

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Subjective opinions are no longer enough in modern hoof care. Farriers can discover how to capture objective, quantifiable hoof balance measurements that justify interventions, improve clinical outcomes, and clearly demonstrate progress to clients and veterinarians. Yogi Sharp will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Hoof Wound Healing: Differences & Similarities with Skin Wounds

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Why do foot wounds present such unique recovery challenges? Join Hall of Fame veterinarian Dr. Maarten Oosterlinck as he bridges general wound healing principles with equine hoof morphology, offering actionable methods to safeguard long-term hoof function. Maarten Oosterlinck will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Nothing Fancy, Just the Basics

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

In a tradefull of evolving modalities, the basics still reign supreme. Join Hall of Fame inductee Blane Chapman as he shares how anchoring your practice in farriery fundamentals leads to more effective, practical solutions for every horse. Blane Chapman will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

Farrier Injuries: It’s Not a Matter of if, but When

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Every farrier knows the job is risky, but the real injury statistics tell a startling story. Farriers can look behind the numbers of an illuminating industry survey to understand career-threatening hazards and take practical steps to safeguard their health on the job. Mark Aikens will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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