Farrier Products at 2012 Hoof-Care Summit

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Dan

FPD booth saw steady traffic throughout the tradeshow in Cincinnati.

 

Farrier Product Distribution just completed the annual trek to Cincinnati and the International Hoof-Care Summit. Our booth area was decked with a full range of products from our major lines, including Kerckhaert Horseshoes, Liberty and Vector nails, Bloom, FootPro and other tool lines.

 

farriers meeting

A small group of farriers were selected by the Summit organizers to meet with Rudy Kerckhaert to discuss the Kerckhaert Horseshoe line and their shoeing practices.

 

 

 

Traffic was steady throughout the tradeshow hours with much of the attention focused on the new Liberty American style nails- 5 Combo, 5 City and Race. This tradeshow is one of the major events of the year and gives us a great opportunity to get feedback from our dealers and farriers from throughout North America and from overseas as well. Contact us at fpd@farrierproducts.com if you have questions or comments on the event or products distributed by FPD.

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Farrier Product Distribution Expansion Moving On

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Dan
FPD warehouse

The exterior metal work for the Farrier Product Distribution expansion is nearly complete

The warehouse and expansion for Farrier Product Distribution is moving toward completion. Office space has been completed recently and this week the contractors have almost completed the shell for the warehouse expansion. The work is expected to be completed by early January- in time for visitors that may be enroute to the International Hoof-Care Summit later in the month. If you’re in the area- we welcome you to stop by and see the changes.

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Fall Farrier Events in Full Swing

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Dan
 
Right hoof before
Right front with approx. 12 weeks growth

Farrier clinics and contests fill the fall weekend calendars for many in the industry. FPD is a key sponsor for many of the events and supports the continuing education efforts of the stores and associations that host the events. Check our website calendar for list of events coming to your area.

One of the recent events took place in the New Holland,

clinic foot
Right front after being trimmed and shod

Pennsylvania. Doug Workman, CJF from Cleveland, Georgia shared his ideas and experience with over 150 attendees at the clinic hosted by Amsterdam Farrier Supply. The before and after shots show the improvement he made in the balance of the foot and support he gave it using a farrierproducts brand straight bar shoe.

 

 

Clinic balloon

On this beautiful October day there were some hot air balloons in the area that provided some non-work related enjoyment and we caught one in process of landing in a field near the clinic site, passing over a local school on its way down.

Artwork

Hand made piece by Christian Roy

 

FPD was also in attendance at an Association event in Quebec- Association de Marechal Ferrants Quebec hosted their annual convention in Bromont, Quebec. Featured speakers were Lionel Bertin from France and Dr. Scott Morrison from the Rood & Riddle clinic in Lexington, KY. As in many association events, there was an auction held to raise funds for the Association and some very nice hand made pieces were offered by members.

If you have any images of hand-made auction items you would like to share with us please email them or add them to your comment.

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Here We Grow Again – Farrier Product Distribution Expansion

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Dan

 

Farrier Product Bldg

FPD Distribution Center and Offices located in Shelbyville, Kentucky

FPD is excited to announce an office and warehouse expansion that is now underway.  With the addition of 5,000 square feet of warehouse space, we will increase our total size to 35,000 square feet and, in the process, enlarge the office space for sales and customer service staff by 750 square feet.  Included will be additional offices, meeting space and common areas.  This expansion is part of an overall focus on elevating our customer service levels and operating efficiencies.  We expect the work to be completed by the end of this year and look forward to sharing the progress with you. 

The continued growth in market share for our key lines such as Kerckhaert Horseshoes, Vector and Liberty nails and other products designed for the professional market is driving the need for this expansion. We look forward to continuing this pattern with the support of our dealer network and the professional farriers in the market.

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Horseshoes Sculpted into Works of Art

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Dan
farriers leftovers

Horseshoes in Motion

Our friend Jim Jimenez, farrier from southern California, forwarded information from the Horse & Man blog on a sculptor from the UK named Tom Hill. Along with it, came a phenomenal group of images of work he has done using recycled horseshoes and even nails. Click here to see the article and more images. Quite the work, as you can see in these images.

 

The little metal one looks ready to rumble, while his friend seems a bit skeptical

 

The contact info listed in the article:  

Tewin Hill Farm
Tewin
Hertfordshire
AL6 0LL
Workshop 01437 717336
Mobile 07886 928789 tomhillsculpture@googlemail.com

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Farrier Benefit Scheduled For October

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Dan

The Indiana Farrier’s Association has scheduled a special benefit clinic to help long time member Brad Menker who has been experiencing health issues that have prevented him from working. There will be various farrier presentations as well as a hands-on forging clinic with 3-time AFA team member, Hank Highfield. There will also be an auction of hand-made and other items with all benefits going to Brad and his family. If you are planning to attend, please bring an auction item with you.

Details:

Kerckhaert Triumph

Hind shoe being fit by farrier in a shoeing clinic, using Bloom Forge hot fit tongs

  • October 15, 2011
  • DeBrooke Equine Center
  • 3805 E St Rd 244
  • Rushville, IN 46173
  • Contact Steve Comer, CJF at 765-561-3242 or fivestarforge@hotmail.com for more information.

This event is one of many that the farrier industry has seen- a classic example of the comraderie and generosity of the individuals working in the trade.

 

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Long, hot summer drawing to an end in the farrier world.

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Dan

O'Sullivan Lake is famous for phenomenal rainbows and excellent fishing.

It’s been a long, hot summer for much of the American market this year with only slight relief even as September begins. No one suffers more from this kind of stifling heat than the farrier in his effort to keep his clients happy and his horses sound in the summer time. However, Labor Day weekend is here and some of us decided it’s just about a perfect time to make our escape from the heat- and head north to O’Sullivan Lake near Nakina, Ontario.

Led by our walleye mentor, Roy Bloom from Wisconsin and a ringer (serious fisherman of all freshwater species) Doug Workman from Georgia, we will put the unrelenting heat behind- expecting to bask in the cool days and nights as northwest Ontario’s fall season comies in.

Roy Bloom putting them right on the fish.

OK, it’s probably a well known fact that Dave Farley will be bundled up like it’s winter in the Arctic- but he’ll tough it out, I’m sure of that. We expect to be fishing in deeper water- 25-30ft, off the points and structure that’s everywhere in O’Sullivan Lake. Look for tall tales of big fish when we get back. Part of the attraction of going this far north is the escape from cell phones and other ties to our everyday work world. I’ll be sure to get to any blog comments as soon as we get back to civilization. The farrier world will go on without missing a step, of that I’m certain.

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Farriers in the Yearling Sale Mode

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Dan

 

 
The unshod hoof

The medial flare and overall lack of symmetry in this front hoof show why the yearling sales test the farrier skills.

The Lexington, Kentucky thoroughbred market is in a phase that pushes farriers exceptionally hard every year at this time. The Keeneland September Yearling Sale is just around the corner and the yearlings that have been trimmed since they were foals are now about to get their first shoes. The pressure is on the farrier to achieve the most correct look but avoid creating problems for the future.

The market has shrunk. In past years the September sale cataloged as many as 5,500 yearlings, this year numbers are projected to be around 4,300. Another downward shift has been in the shoeing schedule. First shoeing often took place in early to mid-August with another shoeing just before sale day. In some cases, there might have been 3 shoeings. Today, a combination of economic pressures has caused many farms to plan a shoeing only once, just before the sale. Nevertheless, the trimming that started as foals has gone on with a 3 week interval being a typical schedule.

the shod hoof view

Farriers strive to get good alignment of the hoof-pastern axis and give good support.

 

 

Typical shoeing involves putting light steel training style shoes on the front, usually a Kerckhaert DR 15×7, and just trimming the hind. A lot of effort is put in cleaning up the outer wall and putting a “shine” on the job. After all, it is sale time and looking good is part of the game. The farrier has a significant role in the annual sale ritual.

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Farrier Clinics on the FPD Calendar

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Dan

Farrier clinics have been a mainstay of the FPD educational contribution to the farrier industry and the calendar for Fall 2011 and early 2012 is already taking shape. For full details you can visit the FPD Calendar to see details of these events and others that may be coming to your area. FPD promotes improvement of everyday shoeing skills and the clinicians are dedicated to sharing their experience and outlook with attendees. The events sponsored by FPD, farrier associations and others in the industry have helped to elevate the level of hoof care and promote continuing education in the industry. If you have comments on past clinics or suggestions for future clinic topics feel free to post your comments here.

farrier - farley

Dave Farley continues the clinic even during breaks.

 
  • October 8 – Burlington, Wisconsin – Dave Farley at Centaur Forge
  • October 8 – New Holland, PA – Doug Workman at Amsterdam Farrier Supply
  • October 28 – Temecula, CA – Roy Bloom at Empire Farrier Supply
  • November 19 – Waverly, WV – Dave Farley at Meredith Manor Equestrian Centre
  • December 3 – Spotsylvania, VA – Dave Farley for Virginia Horseshoers Association
  • December 10 – Monetta, SC – Roy Bloom at Monetta Farrier Supply / SC Farriers Association

 

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Grinders and Expander Wheels for Farrier Use

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Dan
Baldor- Expander wheels

Farrier's Baldor 1/2hp unit with 6" & 10" Expander Wheels mounted

FPD has been selling Baldor grinders and various attachments for a number of years. Grinder set ups have become an integral part of the professional farrier’s rig. One of the most effective attachments is the expander wheel. The wheel does not have any “tension adjustment” similar to a traditional belt sander and that makes fit of belts a significant challenge. The wheels are designed to expand, a result of the slots cut in the rubber wheel. However, getting a belt fit that allows the belt to be easily installed or removed and still tighten sufficiently in use is difficult. Any slight change in the length of the belt can either make the fit looser or tighter. We found that there were many more problems as a result of loose belts so we chose to have the belt manufacturers target a length that can be very tight, taking into consideration that they have tolerances in production of belts that can have enough variation to cause changes in the fit. This proved to reduce the risk of the belt sliding on start-up or in use, but also made installation and removal more tedious.

10" wheel for Baldor grinder

FPD 10" Expander wheel, note the slotted rubber attached to the aluminum hub. Proper installation is critical for safe use.

We will have an article in the fall issue of The Natural Angle with more details on expander wheels and proper use and safety precautions. We saw in another farrier bulletin board recently a warning not to run the wheel without a belt. This is one of the key warnings in the information that is included with the wheels. Two significant problems can occur. The wheel can be damaged by the expanding rubber making contact with the guard or the rubber can separate from the metal hub. Either of these problems can cause problems with use and create a dangerous situation for the user. And of course we stress the importance of wearing gloves, eye or face shields and not putting your body in a position right against the work area. We also urge users to inspect belts on a regular basis to make sure there are not irregular wear points or excessive wear that might indicate a problem with the rubber material or a wheel that is not balanced. Users should call FPD at 800-468-2879 if they are experiencing any uncertainty or concern about their expander wheels.

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