Farrier Industry Association

01/22/2026

Get in your nominations for the board of directors by Sunday!

01/08/2026

Business Conference 2026 located at the International Hoof-Care Summit

09/26/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MUSTAD Hoofcare Group Expands U.S. Manufacturing Capabilities to Meet Global Aluminum Horseshoe Demand
Forest Lake, MN, [September 25, 2025] – MUSTAD Hoofcare Group, the global leader in equine hoof care, is expanding its manufacturing capabilities in the United States, transitioning the production of aluminum horseshoes from Argentina, to its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Forest Lake, Minnesota.
This move will strengthen the company’s ability to serve the North American market and enhance its responsiveness to global demand. It will also help streamline operations, while leveraging the advanced technologies already in place at its St. Croix Forge Inc, MN facility.

“We’ve always been focused on making the best possible products for the farriers, veterinarians, and horse owners who rely on us every day,” said Hans Mustad, CEO at Mustad. “This move strengthens our ability to do just that—by bringing production closer to key markets, increasing our ability to innovate, improving our manufacturing processes, and ensuring we’re ready to meet the needs of farriers, both now and into the future.”

MUSTAD’s Forest Lake manufacturing plant produces most of the company’s steel shoes for the North American market. Now the plant has added aluminum shoe manufacturing capability.
As part of this strategic transition, MUSTAD will phase out aluminum horseshoe production at its plant in Tres Arroyos, Argentina. “We’re incredibly grateful for our Argentinian employees and I know this is difficult news for them. We’re committed to supporting them during this transition,” says Hans Mustad. MUSTAD remains fully committed to serving our customers across Argentina, the Southern Cone, and LATAM, with our Buenos Aires distribution facility continuing operations as it has since day one.
The logistics of the transition will be carefully coordinated to ensure that MUSTAD’s full line of products remain available with the least possible interruption, and with the expected level of quality and consistency.
MUSTAD’s Forest Lake manufacturing facility features innovative, industry-leading technologies and is carbon neutral, supporting MUSTAD’s vision for sustainable growth in the equine hoofcare industry.

About MUSTAD
MUSTAD is the world’s leading manufacturer of hoofcare products, and has been serving farriers, veterinarians, and horse owners for over 190 years. Founded in Gjovik, Norway, MUSTAD offers a comprehensive product range including horseshoes, nails, rasps, tools, and specialty items. With operations in many countries, MUSTAD combines global reach with local expertise to support equine health and performance around the world.

09/02/2025

📢 Important Update for Farriers and Equine Professionals

Effective August 29, 2025, the U.S. government officially ended the de minimis exemption, which previously allowed imported goods valued at $800 or less to enter the country duty-free.

🔹 Background:

The change was enacted through an Executive Order signed on July 30, 2025, expanding on a prior order that eliminated the exemption for shipments from China and Hong Kong earlier this year.

Now, all international shipments — regardless of value — are subject to applicable tariffs and duties.

🔹 Impact on the Farrier Industry:

Farriers and equine professionals who source tools, nails, rasps, shoes, or other supplies from international vendors should anticipate increased costs and possible delays.

Overseas retailers who relied on this exemption may see significant changes to their pricing and shipping models.

This shift may also influence purchasing decisions, potentially making domestic suppliers a more reliable option going forward.

The Farrier Industry Association will continue to monitor developments and provide guidance to help members navigate these changes.

📌 Recommendation: Review your supply chains and budget for potential increases in costs on imported products.

06/28/2025

Clint was a founding member and a hugely influential part of our organization for many years. Because of his dedication to both the FIA and our industry, he was inducted to our Hall of Legends as part of the Inaugural Class in 2022.

He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with Clint's family and loved ones during this most difficult time.

Rest in peace, Clint, and thank you for your enormous contributions to this industry we all love.

They called him "the patron saint of American horseshoes". But who was he?
https://hoofcare.blogspot.com/2025/06/clint-carlson-st-croix-horseshoes-died.html
How did a mild-mannered Jimmy Buffett fan from Minnesota become the most well-known and well-liked face in American horseshoeing in the late 20th century? Today we remember Clint Carlson, the farrier's friend, and share the sad news of his death last week. Thanks for remembering him--even if you are meeting him, for the first time.

05/14/2025

10/07/2024

ATTENTION FIA MEMBERS!!

Many of our members have received emails this week from Ella Rose / Marketing Executive with the AFA logo. This person is not a part of the AFA. Her offer to purchase the convention attendee list is a fraud. The AFA NEVER sells the convention attendee list! Please do not fall for this scam!

We greatly appreciate those who took the time to reach out and let us know these scammers have reached out this week so we can alert all FIA members.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Chattanooga!

08/29/2024

⚠️ Don't miss out on your chance to exhibit at Convention! Booths are going quickly! 🚂

07/09/2023

NATIONAL FARRIERS WEEK – JULY 9-15

The second week in July recognizes National Farriers Week. The week encourages horse owners, riders, and trainers to say thank you to the specialists in equine hoof care. These skilled technicians are critical to the welfare of the horse and the equine care team.

National Farriers Week gives us the opportunity to express our appreciation to our farrier friends and clients, and the FIA would like to thank all farriers for your patience, with the horse and the owner, your dedication to keeping horses’ feet sound and healthy, your continued training, and sharing your skill and your hard work!

In announcing the first National Farriers Week in 1998, the AFJ purpose stated: “to honor farriers who pay attention to detail, approach their work in a professional manner, seek to improve their skills, are thoughtful toward clients and take great pride in doing what’s in the best interest of the horse.” 25 years later, these words remain as powerful as when they were penned back in 1998!

The American Farrier’s Association will host our 52nd Annual Convention in Reno, Nevada, November 6-10, 2023. If you would like to attend this event, you can find all the details at www.americanfarriers.org. If you are a vendor and would like to be an exhibitor, please visit www.farrierindustry.org for details.

06/21/2023

📍 We've moved to a new office! You can still connect with us via email as you always have but we're no longer located inside the Kentucky Horse Park. Please update your records with our new address below!

06/05/2023

✍️ The Farrier Industry Association (FIA) is challenging our FIA family members to create a new logo for the FIA that may be used for official use in various ways – including the FIA website, social media sites, business cards, printed materials, clothing, or anywhere else FIA chooses. For contest rules and guidelines, please visit https://www.farrierindustry.org/page-982820