Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Farriers at the Herning 2022 FEI World Championships: Who was minding the forge?



Last week's ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark, made farrier history when the event entered into an agreement with Mustad Hoofcare Group, who became the FEI's first  "Official Farrier Service Partner" by providing a crew of its own farriers for Herning2022. With more than 1,000 horses on the grounds, farriers were a priority service.

Monday, May 23, 2022

Badminton Farriers Prize 2022: In Search of the Best Shod Horse

Badminton Horse Trials Farriers Prize

Badminton Farriers Prize 2022: Jim Blurton breaks records

The Badminton Horse Trials, presented by Mars Equestrian, is one of only seven five-star three-day events in the world, and the only one that awards a coveted "Farriers Prize". After two consecutive years of cancellation for coronavirus, the world was coming close to banging on the gates by early May, demanding to enjoy one of the most iconic and unrivaled horse competitions of any kind, anywhere in the world. 
And in 2022, just like all the years before, we wanted to know who won the Farriers Prize. As usual that assignment was just a jumping off point to a bigger story. There may be just one winner, but the story is bigger and better, although most people at the event never even knew it was going on.
Congratulations to Welsh farrier Jim Blurton.

Sunday, May 15, 2022

History-loving and history-making American horseshoer Bill Miller dead at 96


History-loving and history-making horseshoer Bill Miller died today in Seattle, Washington. According to his close friend Dave Duckett, the 96-year-old had been moved to hospice care after being released from a Veterans Administration hospital for treatment of coronavirus. 

Friday, April 01, 2022

Preview: Rood & Riddle Equine Podiatry Conference

Equine Podiatry Conference

Rood & Riddle Equine Podiatry Conference
April 14-16, 2022
Spy Coast Farm Equine Education Center 
Lexington, Kentucky

Late breaking news! Attention, veterinarians: 19.5 hours of RACE continuing education credit has been approved for this event.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

New HISA racing rules for Thoroughbred horseshoe traction to begin July 1 in USA

New HISA rules for raceplate traction in USA

New federally-mandated racing safety rules from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority will be introduced "feet first" this summer. The first new rules are primed to take effect on July 1 at U.S. racetracks. 

A change to how American Thoroughbreds may be shod, including what shoes they can wear, is key to the new rules, limiting the use of shoe traction devices with one national rule for the entire United States.