Thursday, June 07, 2018

Godolphin's Masar took the barefoot route to Epsom Derby; farriers detail stable's hoof protocol


The old joke goes something like this: A tourist wandering around in New York City sees a tuxedo-clad musician getting out of a cab. He's carrying his instrument. Relieved, the tourist walks up and asks, “Can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?”

Without missing a beat, the musician says, “Practice.” And walks on.

If only horseracing was so simple.

Monday, May 28, 2018

New York Governor Announces Funding for Veterinary College on Long Island

veterinary news long island university

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced last week that his state is investing $12 million in the establishment of a new veterinary college on the existing campus of Long Island University (LIU)  in Brookville, New York. According to Cuomo's news release, the $40 million project will "fill a void in the academic landscape, while generating new opportunities for medical research and jobs creation in the state."

Remembering the Dead: Custer's farriers at Little Big Horn


farriers with Custer at Little Big Horn

We know it as the Battle of Little Big Horn, or "Custer's Last Stand". Native Americans know it as the Battle of the Greasy Grass. It is quite possibly the most legendary military engagement in US history. Like the maiden voyage of the Titanic, everyone knows how this story ends.

Or do they?

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Shoeing under the microscope: Much ado about Justify's shoe as the Preakness looms

horseshoe news from the Kentucky Derby


It should be part of the winner's circle ceremony. If you win the Kentucky Derby, they award you three things: First, a blanket of red roses to drape over your withers. Next, a gorgeous trophy for your owners to hoist in the air. And last but not least, there's a microscope, which you will live under for the next five weeks of your life.

Monday, May 14, 2018

Farm Bill amendment revives drive for Horse Protection Act revisions; Walking horse pad stacks, action devices would be outlawed by 2020

horse protection act amendment to farm bill


If an amendment to the Farm Bill in the US House of Representatives survives a Rules Committee review this week, the horse industry in the United States could see a much-anticipated end to Walking horse show shoeing practices connected to the illegal practice of “soring”.

Monday, May 07, 2018

Badminton's Farriers Prize 2018 to Liam Collins

Dani Evans and Smart Time on cross-country at Badminton Horse Trials 2018
British rider Dani Evans and her horse Smart Time won the Farriers Prize at Badminton Horse Trials for 2018. Smart Time is shod by Liam Collins, a farrier in North Somerset, England.

If you think that the upcoming Royal Wedding in England sounds romantic, wait until you read this. The lightning-bolt connection between three-day event riders, horses and farriers is magical when it strikes and all three emerge from a top competition effort safe and sound and happy.

But what about when the relationship is more than professional? It happened again this weekend, and they all lived happily ever after.