News & Notes

Remembering Jim Keith

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Jim Keith never intended to be a farrier, but he didn’t let that stop him from becoming one of the best to ever do it. The International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.

Footcare & Farrier Business Insights

Wed, 28 Oct 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-Care Highlights: October 24, 2026

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Raising Heels with Suspensory Ligament Injuries
Essential Modifications
Living on Purpose
Kings of America
Hunter Shoeing

New York City Carriage Horse Owners Vow to Fight “Gross Abuse of Governmental Power”

jcota@lesspub.com — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

After a bitter 16-year political fight, the New York City Council is expected to outlaw horse-drawn carriages in an Oct. 22 vote. However, the union drivers say they will not go down without a fight.

[Video] 2027 Summit Sessions Preview with Dr. Maarten Oosterlinck

jcota@lesspub.com — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 08:00:56 -0400

Don't miss Dr. Maarten Oosterlinck at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit this Jan. 26-29 in Covington, Ky.

Hoof-Care Highlights: October 17, 2026

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

The Mental Load of Hoof Care
Ignoring Advice
Sam Head
Hoof Angles & Mechanics
Selecting Therapeutic Shoes

[Podcast] A Conversation with Kenny Bark

Fri, 16 Oct 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 Wellington, Fla., farrier Kenny Bark.

[Video] 2027 Summit Sessions Preview with Steve Kraus

jcota@lesspub.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:00:56 -0400

Don't miss International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer Steve Kraus at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit this Jan. 26-29 in Covington, Ky.

Poll: Ignoring Advice

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:08:48 -0400

What's one piece of advice you're glad you never listened to? Let us know in this AFJ poll.

Methodology & Science of Dorsal Rounding

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Steven Beane will be a speaker at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit. To learn more and register for the event, visit IHCS2027.com.

[Video] 2027 Summit Sessions Preview with Stuart Muir

jcota@lesspub.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:56 -0400

Don't miss Stuart Muir at the 2027 International Hoof-Care Summit this Jan. 26-29 in Covington, Ky.

Cast Your Vote for the Best Farrier Rigs Contest!

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

American Farrier's Journal presents the first Best Farrier Rig's Contest — celebrating your personalized rig that supports your daily work.

Ruth Ann Jones, Co-Founder of NC Tool Co., Passes Away

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Ruth Ann Jones, co-founder of NC Tool Co., passed away Oct. 10, 2026. She was 91.

Hoof-Care Highlights: October 10, 2026

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Recovering from Injury
NAEP Highlights
French Hind Bar Shoe
White Line Disease vs. Seedy Toe
Mentorship & Work-Life Balance

The Gallop: Consequences for the Carpus & Hoof

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:44:53 -0400

The very fact that a horse is called upon to gallop implies a high level of athletic demand, higher than that typically required by the walk, amble or trot gaits that we have previously reviewed in this series. In our last installment, we detailed the biomechanics and stride characteristics of galloping. This prepares us to now take a closer view of some possible side effects of galloping, especially as they relate to the hoof but also to the horse’s carpal joint or “knee.”

Purcell Farrier Supply Earns 2026 Supply Shop of the Year

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:41:27 -0400

Purcell Farrier Supply of Purcell, Okla., is honored as the third annual American Farriers Journal Supply Shop of the Year.

Share Your Favorite Equine Movies

lessitef@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

We’re pulling together a list of the best horse movies enjoyed by farriers.

North Carolina Farrier Mitchell Jones Passes Away

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

North Carolina farrier Mitchell Jones passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 1, 2026. He was 69.

Troy Wood Grabs WCB State Fair of Virginia Title

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Troy Wood is on a roll. The Riverside, Wash., farrier has finished in the top spot in eight of the past nine consecutive World Championship Blacksmiths events, including this past weekend at the State Fair of Virginia.

Hoof-Care Highlights: October 3, 2026

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Dr. Tom Riddle
Miniature Foot Study
Blacksmith World Championship
Unshod Thoroughbred Training
Fusing Hocks

Poll: Who are Your Mentors?

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:11:09 -0400

What's one important thing you learned from your mentors? Let us know in this AFJ poll.

Knowing When & How to Fire Hoof-Care Clients

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 18:54:05 -0400

Farrier-client relationships are not always perfect. While no one wants to lose business or risk damaging relationships, sometimes the best decision is one to let a client go from your books.

Invest in Yourself While Diminishing Your Tax Burden

jcota@lesspub.com — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As we enter the final quarter of 2026, small businesses are often searching for ways to reduce their tax burden. One way to do so is by investing in yourself.

By How Much Do You Expect to Raise Prices for 2027?

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 14:12:33 -0400

Find out the results from the 2026 Farrier Business Practices Benchmark Study.

State-of-the-Art Treatment of Keratoma

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Equine keratomas can cause persistent, puzzling lameness by compressing internal foot structures. Farriers and vets can explore how advanced imaging like CT and MRI leads to precise localization, enabling minimally invasive surgical removal and successful post-op recovery. Maarten Oosterlinck 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: September 26, 2026

mkrueger@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Hoof Size vs. Hoof Issues?
Osteoarthritis Relief
Making Farriers’ Lives Easier
Forging Hunter Heels
Horseshoe Globe

Poll: Barn Requirements

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:32:17 -0400

A client is going to build a new 40-stall barn. She asks what you would like for a farrier area and if you have any specific needs. What would you suggest?

Rood & Riddle Co-Founder Tom Riddle Passes Away

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

William Thomas Riddle, DVM, a co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., passed away Sept. 20, 2026. He was 74.

Do You Need A USDOT Number for Your Farrier Rig?

lessitef@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Even if the federal government doesn’t require a USDOT number, your state might.

News & Notes

Remembering Jim Keith

Footcare & Farrier Business Insights

Hoof-Care Highlights: October 24, 2026

New York City Carriage Horse Owners Vow to Fight “Gross Abuse of Governmental Power”

[Video] 2027 Summit Sessions Preview with Dr. Maarten Oosterlinck

Hoof-Care Highlights: October 17, 2026

[Podcast] A Conversation with Kenny Bark

[Video] 2027 Summit Sessions Preview with Steve Kraus

Poll: Ignoring Advice

Methodology & Science of Dorsal Rounding

[Video] 2027 Summit Sessions Preview with Stuart Muir

Cast Your Vote for the Best Farrier Rigs Contest!

Ruth Ann Jones, Co-Founder of NC Tool Co., Passes Away

Hoof-Care Highlights: October 10, 2026

The Gallop: Consequences for the Carpus & Hoof

Purcell Farrier Supply Earns 2026 Supply Shop of the Year

Share Your Favorite Equine Movies

North Carolina Farrier Mitchell Jones Passes Away

Troy Wood Grabs WCB State Fair of Virginia Title

Hoof-Care Highlights: October 3, 2026

Poll: Who are Your Mentors?

Top 10 Hoof-Care Stories in September 2026

Knowing When & How to Fire Hoof-Care Clients

Invest in Yourself While Diminishing Your Tax Burden

By How Much Do You Expect to Raise Prices for 2027?

State-of-the-Art Treatment of Keratoma

Hoof-Care Highlights: September 26, 2026

Poll: Barn Requirements

Rood & Riddle Co-Founder Tom Riddle Passes Away

Do You Need A USDOT Number for Your Farrier Rig?