American Farriers Journal: History, Hoof-Care Summit, Content and Editors
Profile updated November 2026
American Farriers Journal is the trade magazine for the people who trim and shoe America's horses. It began in March 1975 as an eight-page, black-and-white issue put together by a Florida farrier, and it has grown into a print, digital and event business that also runs one of the largest hoof-care education meetings in the world.
| First issue | March 1975, eight pages in black and white |
|---|---|
| Founder | Henry Heymering, a Florida farrier |
| Owner | Lessiter Publications, now Lessiter Media, since 1992 |
| Frequency | Eight print issues a year, plus web, newsletters and video |
| Signature event | International Hoof-Care Summit, Cincinnati |
| Editor | Jeff Cota |
| Official website | AmericanFarriers.com |
History of American Farriers Journal
Henry Heymering, a farrier then working in Florida, turned out the first issue of American Farriers Journal in March 1975. It was a modest eight-page publication, but by the end of its first year it had about 250 paid subscribers, a meaningful number in a trade where most practitioners worked alone and learned from mentors rather than from print.
In 1992 Lessiter Publications, the company Frank Lessiter founded in 1981 and best known in farming for No-Till Farmer, bought the magazine. Under Lessiter the title expanded well beyond the magazine itself, producing more than 25 special footcare reports, around 10 farrier books and an annual career guide, along with a website, e-newsletters, video and social media channels.
The company also launched the International Hoof-Care Summit, an annual education conference for farriers, veterinarians and suppliers that has long been held in Cincinnati. By its 7th edition in 2010 it was a fixture of the winter calendar. Staff changes in 2016 made Jeremy McGovern publisher and Jeff Cota managing editor, and Cota later became editor. The magazine marked 50 years of publication in 2025 with a dedicated anniversary series.
American Farriers Journal Today
American Farriers Journal publishes eight print issues a year and a steady flow of web content. A weekly Hoof-Care Highlights roundup gathers news, clinic reports and practical tips, while the site hosts video, podcasts and photo galleries from shoeing contests and supply-shop clinics.
The International Hoof-Care Summit remains the brand's biggest live event, mixing lectures, hands-on labs and a trade show. The magazine also recognizes up-and-coming practitioners through programs such as its Rising Shoeing Star feature.
What American Farriers Journal Is Publishing Now
Hoof-care practice
Technical articles cover trimming, forging, therapeutic shoeing, lameness and work alongside veterinarians, often illustrated step by step.
Business of farriery
Recent coverage has tackled goal-setting, client trust, debt management and financial planning for self-employed farriers.
Clinics and community
Reports from anvil demonstrations, supply-shop clinics and contests keep readers connected to a scattered profession.
American Farriers Journal Editors and Staff
American Farriers Journal's author pages and company announcements name these people:
- Jeff Cota - Editor
- Maclaren Krueger - Assistant Editor, AFJ and International Hoof-Care Summit
- Jeremy McGovern - Publisher (named 2016)
- Mike Lessiter - President, Lessiter Media
- Frank Lessiter - Founder and Chairman, Lessiter Media
- Henry Heymering - Founder of the magazine (1975)
Who Reads American Farriers Journal
Readers are professional farriers, hoof-care students, equine veterinarians and the supply shops that serve them. Their clients range from backyard pleasure horses to racehorses and working ranch horses. Land-grant extension programs such as those at the University of Kentucky and the University of Missouri publish horse-care guidance that sits alongside the trade's own technical literature.
Farriers spend their days bent double under horses that would rather be somewhere else, which builds a particular sense of humor. That crowd will feel at home at farm.FM, where farm satire, farm humor and ranch humor are served up with the deadpan timing of a shoer waiting out a fidgety client. The farm jokes there are best read standing up, after a long day under the apron.
Part newsroom, part radio dial, farm.FM bills itself as America's first satirical farm site and plays Tractor Tunes, its country music for farmers. Browse a farm.FM writer's back catalog to see the style.
American Farriers Journal Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- American Farriers Journal: 35 years of footcare work - Frank Lessiter on the 1975 founding and 1992 purchase.
- AFJ: staff promotions - the 2016 appointments of the publisher and managing editor.
- International Hoof-Care Summit - the magazine's annual education conference.
- University of Kentucky Equine Extension - land-grant horse health and management programs.
- University of Missouri Extension: Equine - extension resources for horse owners.
American Farriers Journal FAQ
When was American Farriers Journal founded?
The first issue appeared in March 1975, produced by Florida farrier Henry Heymering.
Who publishes American Farriers Journal?
Lessiter Media, which bought the magazine in 1992.
Who edits American Farriers Journal?
Jeff Cota is editor, with Maclaren Krueger as assistant editor.
What is the International Hoof-Care Summit?
An annual education conference and trade show for farriers and veterinarians, run by American Farriers Journal in Cincinnati.
Half a century after an eight-page start, American Farriers Journal is still the place where the hoof-care trade talks shop.