Having welding capabilitieson the truck can save timeand expense. Recently Spanish Lake Blacksmith and FarrierSupply held a 5-hour hands on workshop on weldingtechniques for farriers. The workshop instructorswere Bob Kientzy of KientzyWelding and Fabrication, MikeCrites of Werkman USA,Chris Leija of Werkman USAand Josh Conover ofDynalloy Sure Step (compositetraction rod).

There were threewelding/forgingstations set up:

STATION #1:MIG welding with shieldinggas, MIG welding with fluxcore wire, TIG welding.

STATION #2: Oxy/Acetylene welding ofWerkman horseshoe insertsand application of Sure Stepcomposite rod.

STATION #3: Applying Sure Step composite rod in a propane forge.

Basic welding information was shared about propersettings on a MIG machine to achieve the best welds.Mr. Kientzy pointed out if the farrier is welding in ashop, gas shielded welding produces the cleanest

welds, but outside or in any windy condition usingflux core wire will give you the best results, althoughmore cleanup will be required.

Farriers were able to practice welding the Werkmanshoe inserts under the guidance of Mr. Kientzy. OneMIG welder was set up with a mixture of 75%

Argon gas and 25% CO2gas. A second MIG welderwas set up with flux corewire. Farriers were able topractice with bothmachines.

Mr. Conover gaveinstructions on propersettings and safetyinformation onOxy/Acetylene welding.In addition, attendees wereshown the propertechniques for applyingSure Step compositetraction rod to horseshoes.Small tanks of Oxygen andAcetylene may be a goodchoice for farriers sinceMIG welders may tax theelectrical panels of somebarn facilities.

Mr. Conover demonstrated the application of SureStep composite rod (Drill Tek) using a propane forge.This process is often a viable option for farriers.Farriers were able to practice and refine their use ofthis method.

Inserts for Therapeutic Horseshoes

JULY 2019

Shop Talk 636-463-7211

2793 W. Meyer Rd.Foristell MO 63348

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Horseshoe inserts and Sure StepComposite are available for purchase

at www.spanishlake.com

Professional farriers distinguish themselves in manyways. Some of the ways are by how well they keeptheir vehicle and equipment, how they conductthemselves with the animals in their care and with thepeople who own, train or vet the horse, AND howskilled they are in providing specialized shoes toaddress any problem the horse has.

A professional is also set apart by their determinationto provide the horse with their best work. That mayrequire investing additional time to forge or fabricate aspecial shoe to make the horse more comfortable.

Forging and welding skills take an effort to develop.Those farriers who invest the time are in high demandand earn higher income.

At Spanish Lake Blacksmith Shop we offer Shop Talksessions where farriers can practice forging andwelding techniques and share information with otherfarriers. These sessions are usually held over thewinter months and are free to all farriers. We hopeyou will take the time to join other professionals.

A schedule of our Shop Talk sessions for 2020 is beingplanned now. The dates, times and topics will beprinted in our Fall newsletter.

Why Take theTime to Forge ShoeModifications or Weld Inserts?

We add new products to ourinventory when we believethey will benefit farriers, orour customers ask for them.Here are some of the newestitems we have.

DELTACHALLENGERThe Delta Challengerhas a full toe forlonger wear and abalanced shape whichmeans less time at the anvil,they relieve pressure on thesole, and the nail holes areperfect for thin walled hooves. TS7 is 7mm (1/4”)thick for a lighter shoe. TS8 is 8mm (5/16”).

EQUILIBRIUM BARSHOESAluminum bar shoes withfull roll from quarter toquarter. Available in Eggbar, Heart bar and Straightbar.

The open heel EquilibriumRoller shoe is designed for horsesthat require significant break over.

MUSTAD ANDCAPEWELLENDURA NAILSEndura is a coating thatprovides up to 30 percentadditional strength, so youare able use a slimmer nailwhere needed, and improvesnail driving and reduces hoof wall damage.

Endura nails are designed for extreme conditionsand high-performance horses.

NEW PRODUCTS