American Farriers Journal

06/09/2025

Learn how to care for sore barefoot horse hooves after trimming, prevent over-trimming, and support regrowth with proper maintenance and protective products.

Horse hooves, similar to human fingernails, need to be trimmed regularly as excessive growth weakens durability and causes them to split, crack, chip or break off. Plus, excessive trimming can be painful and lead to significant complications in everyday activities. To maintain optimal hoof health fo...

06/09/2025

This week's highlights:
-Running a Supply Shop
-Farrier Phone a Friend
-Subchondral Bone Cyst Surgery
-Defining Rotation
-Final Approach Podcast

This Week's Lineup: Running a Supply Shop Farrier Phone a Friend Subchondral Bone Cyst Surgery Defining Rotation Final Approach Podcast

06/09/2025

The peculiarly structured joint plays a critical role for performance and working horses.

Weight-bearing upon flexed hocks puts enormous strain on all parts of the hock joint. Along with the equally complex stifle joint, the hock is crucial to the horse’s ability to flex and extend the hind limb and create the forward thrust that is the “impulsion” so often sought by horse owners w...

06/09/2025

The September/October 2025 Online Extras bring you added insights, research, and multimedia to complement the latest issue of American Farriers Journal.

Web-exclusive content for this issue includes: Gain more insight from Randy Luikart A Year in the Life of a Horse Podcast Gain more insight on nutrition and its role in healthy feet Gain more insight from Dr. Jenny Hagen Comfort the Uncomfortable Trimming Sport Horses

06/09/2025

After more than a decade in the making, Jeff Cota introduces AFJ’s ambitious new project — 1 Horse, 1 Farrier, 1 Year — a living case study following Jackson, a 15-year-old Clydesdale cross, through a year of hoof care.

Eleven years ago, American Farriers Journal President Mike Lessiter shared one of his dream projects with the editors during an editorial planning session. He wanted to follow a horse for 1 year and chronicle the details of its hoof care over 8 issues within the pages of AFJ.

05/09/2025

Being able to accurately identify your gross income, as well as money spent on supplies and other key business metrics, can help you assess its health in both the short- and long-term. Comparing yourself with farriers around the country can help you set financial, business and personal goals.

Use data from the 2025 Farrier Business Practices Survey to your advantage

05/09/2025

The latest American Farriers Journal issue is packed with essential insights every hoof-care professional should know:

🐎The Danger of “Misguided Practices” – Practices like extreme trimming, toe rasping, and sole packing can stress the coffin bone (P3), especially when hoof capsule pressure exceeds 78 psi—risks include soft tissue tearing and long-term damage.

🐎A Year in the Life of a Horse – From subtle hoof flares to posture shifts, daily hoof clues matter. This feature emphasizes the power of coordinated care among farriers, vets, and owners.

🐎Gut-to-Hoof Health Connection – A balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins A & E, copper, zinc, and collagen is foundational for healthy hoof horn. Evaluating current diets and supplement needs should be a collaborative effort.

🐎Spotting “Performance Laminitis” Early – This form of laminitis stems from sustained mechanical stress—not grain overload. Watch for limbing toward the midline as an early warning sign.

Looking to dive deeper? Tap the link for full articles and enhance your hoof-care game!

Read key farrier takeaways from several of the features found in the September/October 2025 issue of American Farriers Journal.

05/09/2025

In this World Championship Blacksmiths post, Norwegian farrier Daniel Ark Evensen trimmed and shod half of a neglected foot, demonstrating that farriers take less depth than expected. Do we follow the horse's lead more than define the hoof's trajectory?

05/09/2025

Every week, AFJ’s editors present fresh data straight from the 2025 American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey, offering timely insights into industry practices, challenges, and evolving trends.

Whether you’re a farrier, equine veterinarian, or hoof-care professional, these insights give you a snapshot of how peers are navigating the craft and business—share what stood out to you!

Read the full weekly update here: https://ow.ly/exC750WRTse

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.

05/09/2025

Treating performance laminitis requires listening to the horse, trusting a rider’s feel and being willing to honestly address mechanical and systemic causes. Click here for key strategies to reduce strain!

Performance laminitis is characterized by inflammation, micro-damage and instability of the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. Gain insight on its possible causes and ways to reduce laminar strain.

05/09/2025

Congratulations to Troy Wood of the U.S. and Steven Beane of England for their victories in the Lance Sloman Memorial Class at the Blacksmith World Championships, staged by World Championship Blacksmiths at Spruce Meadows.

Huge Congratulations to Mr. Troy Wood, USA for picking up a terrific win in the Fronts Class. Well done Troy!
Huge Congratulations to Mr. Steven Beane, England for picking up a terrific win in the Hinds. Well done Steven!

04/09/2025

Step into a day in the life of Arnie Gervasio, the farrier known as the “Godfather of Sole,” whose skill and dedication have kept top show horses performing at their best. In this article by Red Renchin, we get an inside look at Gervasio’s meticulous work and innovative approach to hoof care that earned him legendary status in the equine world.

“It ain’t easy being me” is not an understatement — at least when the speaker is Arnie Gervasio.