Coolmore's Daddy Long Legs to Run Without Shoes in Dubai Stakes Race; Interference Given as Reason for Rule Exception

Halfway around the world, a South African racehorse trainer is taking a chance with a well-known stakes-winning Thoroughbred. And he had to get official clearance to do it.

World Champions at Work: Farriers Varini and Robinson Win Equestrian Business of the Year Award in Scotland

World Champion farriers David Varini (left) and Paul Robinson (right) are partners in a farrier service company in Scotland. They recently won the "Equestrian Business of the Year" Award from HorseScotland. (Muriel Colquhoun photo)

What if two World Champions teamed up to offer farrier services and train apprentices? That's exactly what happened in Scotland a few years back. At that time, neither knew he'd ever win that prestigious title. Or, for that matter, their latest title, either.

Texas A&M Farrier Conference Brought Together Diverse Professionals with Common Concerns for the Horse's Foot

The following article was shared by Blair Fannin of the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service

More than 70 professional farriers, veterinary students, farrier school students and horse owners gathered for the 2014 Texas A&M University Farrier Conference held January 10 in College Station, Texas.

Hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M, the one-day workshop provided the latest information on proper foot care and shoeing techniques, according to organizers.

David Hood, PhD, DVM (photo
courtesy of Richard Booth)

“The 2014 TAMU Farriers Conference was well attended and was a huge success due largely to the number of highly qualified farriers in attendance,” said Dr. Dennis Sigler, AgriLife Extension horse specialist. “I continue to be impressed with the Texas Professional Farriers Association and American Farrier's Association and their members’ dedication to the continuing education of all professional farriers and the skills and knowledge that the majority of these professionals have.”

Connie Larson,
Zinpro representative

Featured presentations included preparing the foot for shoeing, the value of farrier certification, laminitis research update, live hoof and lower limb dissection, live demonstrations of variations in foot flight demonstrated on the high-speed treadmill, effect of nutrition on hoof health, therapeutic shoeing techniques for laminitis and navicular syndrome and the latest techniques in applying synthetic foot protection material.

Tab Pigg, Vettec representative

Farriers, veterinary students, farrier school students and horse owners gathered recently for the Texas A&M University Farrier Conference in College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

Sigler said he and a group of nationally renowned experts made the presentations, including: Dr. David Hood, Hoof Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Center; Dr. Lynn Ruoff, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Connie Larson, ZINPRO Research Nutritionist; Blane Chapman, American Farriers Association-Certified Journeyman Farrier; Pat Burton, American Farriers Association-Certified Journeyman Farrier; and Tab Pigg, Vettec representative and American Farriers Association-Certified Journeyman Farrier.

Blane Chapman, CJF

“In addition to presentations and demonstrations, lively, interactive discussions were held to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of the large number of certified farriers and examiners in attendance,” Sigler said.

Following the conclusion of the conference, on January 11, the Texas Professional Farrier Association sponsored an American Farrier's Association Certification exam for those desiring to take one of the certification exams. Twenty individuals took exams for farrier certification, according to organizers.

The conference was made possible by ZinPro Corporation, MLS Nutritional Supplements and Alvin Farrier Supply, along with the support of AgriLife Extension and the department of animal science.

Texas A&M University has been hosting farrier seminars for many years. The University is home to both a renowned veterinary college and a highly respected equine science department, as well as an active extension education program. A new equine center is under construction at the university, which is in College Station.

Thanks to Blair Fannin and the Agrilife staff for assistance compiling this article.

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Silent Anvil: Charley Orlando, the Teaching Farrier

Charley Orlando in an Aran Islands style sweater that he knit himself. He knit sweaters like these for 50 years.

We live in a world where people have hyphenated descriptions attached to them. In music, there are singer-songwriters. In our world we have farrier-veterinarians, artist-blacksmiths, and barefoot-farriers.

Budweiser Clydesdales 2014 Super Bowl Commercial: Expect Big Horses, a Cute Puppy, and An Epic "Awwwww..."

It's coming. And imagining what it might be will keep us busy for the next 15 days. It's time for the 2014 Budweiser Clydesdale commercial created for the Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2.

Last Tango in Calgary: Stampede Will Host Its Final World Championship in 2014

Reigning World Champion David Varini (right) during a television interview minutes after finding out he had won as he stood on the Calgary Stampede's rodeo stage in front of 20,000 people. Speech bubbles represent what they might have been talking about if the interview had been this week.

Will the last farrier competitor to leave Calgary please make sure the coal fires are out?