American Farriers Journal

When Marshville, N.C., farrier Mike Stine first began learning to trim and shoe, most of the focus was on the hoof, and very little about the rest of the horse. After meeting the late Tony Gonzales, author of Proper Balance Movement: A Diary of Lameness, that perspective began to change. Although we have many modern tools for measuring equine movement and for studying the hoof, when we are in the field, we often have to rely on our observational and practical skills.

As research mounts outlining the dangers of poor hoof balance leading to injury, it is becoming increasingly important farriers to justify their work and present objective outcome measures of their interventions. Brighton, England, farrier Yogi Sharp — The Equine Documentalist — illustrates how hoof-care professionals can obtain objective, hoof balance-relevant measurements and documentation.

Laramie, Wyo., farrier Jack Evers passed away Sept. 1, 2026, after a brief illness, according to his family. He was 88. Evers was a lifelong horseman. He owned his first horse—a semi-wild pony—at age 6 and rode it through the streets of Green River, Wyo., according to his obituary from Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home. After multiple careers in the U.S. Army, petroleum engineering and as an assistant professor at the University of Wyoming, Evers returned to his equine roots as a farrier.

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers. American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers. Download these helpful knowledge building tools Oleo Acres Farrier and Blacksmith Supply owner Rob Michel walks viewers through the Littleton, Colo., warehouse. Inventory is organized with the customer in mind.

Many struggle with treating foot wounds, mainly because of a misunderstanding or unfamiliarity with the specific characteristics of integument, its replacement pattern and the relationship with underlying tissues. While there are important morphologic differences between the integument of the hoof and the skin, knowledge of the general principals of would healing and the typical complications that may arise can be helpful when dealing with hoof wounds.

Each day, American Farriers Journal encounters a variety of articles, social media posts, podcasts and videos that offer a unique look at an aspect of the equine industry. Our favorite content for "This Week" is aggregated here. We hope it offers a useful tip to improve your hoof-care business, expands your knowledge by giving you something new to ponder, or entertains you when you need a break most.

Blane Chapman, has been surrounded by the who's who of the farrier industry all his life. The Vernon, Texas, farrier has learned from the best. While he remains open-minded about trimming and shoeing modalities, his focus remains on the basics. Chapman, a 2027 International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame inductee, discusses why recognizing "normal" and relying on the basics help hoof-care professionals handle "abnormal" more effectively.

Nebraska farrier Dr. Michael Shane Hanna passed away July 8, 2026. He was 72. Hanna was raised in Cimarron, Kan., where he developed a fondness for animals and farm life. After moving to Lawrence, Kan., to work at Heck Hereford Farm, he pursued a passion for horses and attended farrier school in 1977. After completing farrier school, he worked alongside his father until 1981 and later served with Gray County from 1982-1986.

Athol, N.Y., farrier Thomas “Tucker” Birdsall passed away May 27, 2026, from complications of Parkinson’s disease, his family tells American Farriers Journal. He was 78. Birdsall was one of the top Thoroughbred racetrack farriers in the area, shoeing million-dollar racehorses at Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga.

It's no secret that farriery is a dangerous profession. Yet, when confronted with the numbers, the reality hits hard. Like many farriers, Mark Aikens is no stranger to work-related injuries. The Norwich, England, shoer pulls back the curtain on an illuminating survey about injuries conducted by the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association. You’ll Learn: The severity of the problem and how you can better protect yourself while providing hoof-care services.