National Farrier’s Week July 10th-16th
National Farrier’s Week July 10-16, 2016
July may be hot, humid, and steamy for most of us but it is an ideal time for the horse community to applaud our hard working farriers. The American Farriers Journal has designated July 10-16, 2016 as the 18th Annual National Farriers Week. Most farriers toil hard for the sake of our beloved horses in heat, cold, rain, snow, and other unpleasant conditions. The men and women who choose this profession are not afraid of back breaking work or the most difficult of horses. From the tiny hooves of Miniature Horses to the dinner plate sized hooves of draft horses, farriers are dedicated to providing their best for our horses.
Have you thanked your farrier today? Modern day farriers no longer just trim hooves. They can customize shoes of all sizes for very precise needs. Your trainer and veterinarian partner with today’s farriers to maintain and aid horses with a multitude of performance and conformation issues. How often has your farrier come to you to point out a stone bruise or small abscess that you had no idea was bothering your horse? Or asked if your gelding was struggling to pick up the left lead? Farriers read a hoof and can tell you many things about your horse that you didn’t know.
Becoming a farrier takes real dedication. Apprenticing and learning through the years to achieve a higher level of their profession is a vital part of their job. From simple horseshoes to highly specialized corrective shoes, farriers continue to improve as part of their commitment to the well-being of horses. The work can take a toll on their bodies but it is a sacrifice that they are willing to make. How many other professions are truly back breaking in extremes of weather yet your farrier always arrives in a timely manner with a smile? They are a vital part of your equine team and deserve some recognition for their hard work. Next time your farrier comes to your farm, be sure to offer them a cold drink and a genuine thank you for their kindness and devotion to our equine community.
Thank you to all the dedicated hard working farriers out there from Akina Animal Health! Here’s to making horses’ lives better together!