International Hoof-Care Summit Draws Farriers from Across the Globe

Attendees share 'Wow Factors' from the 23rd annual event in Covington, Kentucky

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The 23rd annual International Hoof-Care Summit in Covington, Kentucky, featured more than 130 hours of the latest footcare information, including 8 general sessions, 20 Hoof-Care Classrooms, 32 Hoof-Care Roundtables, and a Trade Show with 108 suppliers. Farriers and veterinarians shared valuable takeaways, such as the importance of heel and solar hoof angle over dorsal hoof angle, and the impact of split shoes. The event also highlighted challenges faced by Canadian farriers due to U.S. tariffs, as well as the need for more on-staff farriers at veterinary schools.

Why it matters

The International Hoof-Care Summit is a premier event that brings together the global hoof-care community to share knowledge, network, and learn about the latest innovations in the industry. The insights and experiences shared by attendees provide valuable guidance for farriers and veterinarians looking to improve their practices and better serve their equine clients.

The details

The Summit featured a wide range of educational opportunities, including general sessions, specialized classrooms, and roundtable discussions. Attendees learned about topics such as the importance of heel and solar hoof angle, the impact of split shoes, and the use of regenerative products in hoof care. The event also highlighted the challenges faced by Canadian farriers due to U.S. tariffs, which have increased the cost of imported shoes and led to the loss of shoeing work for some farriers. Additionally, the need for more on-staff farriers at veterinary schools was discussed, as many schools currently offer limited hoof-care education to their students.

  • The 23rd annual International Hoof-Care Summit was held in Covington, Kentucky.
  • The 24th annual International Hoof-Care Summit will be held January 26-29, 2027 in Covington, Kentucky.

The players

Frank Lessiter

The author of the article and an editor who attended the International Hoof-Care Summit.

Doug Clark

A farrier from Glencoe, Ontario, who discussed the impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian farriers and their access to certain shoeing products.

Garrett Ford

The founder of EasyCare Protective Hoofware, who provided advice on the proper use of glue-on shoes during a Summit clinic.

Jacob Manning

The son of International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member Dennis Manning, who is opening a horseshoeing school in Utah later this year.

Pat Reily

An assistant professor at the new Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University in New Jersey, who discussed the lack of on-staff farriers at most veterinary schools.

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What they’re saying

“Many of today's equine regenerative products are not federally licensed. Farriers should be careful in using or recommending many of these products due to liability concerns since there are no federal rules regulating many of these products.”

— Dr. Holly Helbig, Zoetis

What’s next

The 24th annual International Hoof-Care Summit will be held January 26-29, 2027 in Covington, Kentucky.

The takeaway

The International Hoof-Care Summit continues to be a valuable resource for farriers and veterinarians, providing a platform for the global hoof-care community to share knowledge, network, and stay up-to-date on the latest innovations and challenges in the industry. The insights and experiences shared at the event can help practitioners improve their skills and better serve their equine clients.