Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Horses are powerful, rugged animals — but their strength depends on one fragile and vital foundation: their hooves. In this feature from Farm Monitor, John Holcomb takes us to Branch Farms on the Coleman River in North Georgia to explore the critical role proper hoof care plays in keeping horses healthy, sound, and working.
Stephanie Branch explains why hooves are just as important as a horse’s heart, affecting every other part of the animal’s health. Farrier Cade Rogers of Cade Rogers Farrier Service gives a behind-the-scenes look at the precision involved in trimming and shoeing — a job that requires years of training, skill, and physical endurance.
From balancing weight across four small support points to shaping metal that becomes an extension of the hoof, this story highlights the craftsmanship, patience, and physical demands behind one of the most overlooked professions in the horse industry.
Horses are powerful, rugged animals — but their strength depends on one fragile and vital foundation: their hooves. In this feature from Farm Monitor, John Holcomb takes us to Branch Farms on the Coleman River in North Georgia to explore the critical role proper hoof care plays in keeping horses healthy, sound, and working.
Stephanie Branch explains why hooves are just as important as a horse’s heart, affecting every other part of the animal’s health. Farrier Cade Rogers of Cade Rogers Farrier Service gives a behind-the-scenes look at the precision involved in trimming and shoeing — a job that requires years of training, skill, and physical endurance.
From balancing weight across four small support points to shaping metal that becomes an extension of the hoof, this story highlights the craftsmanship, patience, and physical demands behind one of the most overlooked professions in the horse industry.
