MUSTAD NEWS
GLOBAL NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2011
THE HORSESHOES ISSUE DEAR COLLEAGUES AND PARTNERS, In this third issue of our global newsletter we focus on horseshoes. The Mustad group entered this business relatively recently and, in spite of this, we have gained credibility and market shares to become a truly global supplier of 360° hoofcare solutions. Our rich portfolio, including the St. Croix Forge brand, founded in 1984 “to make America’s finest horseshoes” and acquired in 1999, Delta (with us since 2008) and several other regional brands, puts us in a very favorable market positioning and allows us to leverage our global scale and local roots. As the perfect complement of our historical stronghold – horseshoe nails – our horseshoes brands have become an irreplaceable partner for our dealers and we can easily say that we wouldn’t be where we are today if we didn’t have horseshoes in our portfolio. By applying the lesson we learned well from nails, we identified a market opportunity, prepared ourselves by talking to the market experts and testing our ideas and only then we came with a strong product proposition. And the story goes on: the Innovation pipeline is still full and as we speak - our teams are working on new products to be introduced in 2012 and beyond. In this issue we will touch upon many topics: people, places, athletes, events – all of them revolving around our horseshoes. Please join us in this journey and enjoy it with us! Hans Mustad Clarin Mustad OUR HORSESHOES AT A GLANCE A quick overview of our key products for the better of the horse – discover them all on mustad.com
St. Croix Forge is founded in 1984: the company’s mission is “to make America’s finest horseshoes”
St. Croix Forge becomes part of the Mustad Hoofcare group in 1999
Mustad enters the horseshoe market in 1995
SCF Concorde is designed for racing horses competing when grip and traction are paramount Resistance to wear, good shape and consistency is what you expect from the SCF Eventer. It ensures top grip and performance
2 of the last 3 Kentucky SCF Harness Shoes feature Derby’s were won on our precise nail holes for better nail SCF Aluminum Racing positioning; finished, durable Plates. We bring to racing heels; sole pressure relief and an aggressive the technical innovation, focus on detail and outer rim for traction and stability. craftsmanship that the winners trust
Mustad Equi-Librium is about balance in SCF Advantage is a shoe for peak performance: motion. Equi-Librium features - Easy break-over in all directions bi-directional rounded toes - Enhanced traction for an easier breakover, - Optimal heel support through a Scientifically tested and wide heel design winner of an Olympic Gold!
The new Mustad LiBero has been designed In collaboration with an extended farriers team: it respects the natural shape of the hoof, providing the best support and protection for the horse, while making farriers life easier.
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The Delta brand joins the Mustad family in 2008
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We challenge you to find better allround turned steel horseshoes with truer fit, longer wear, and greater performance in both front and hind patterns than the Delta Challenger
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The Mustad DM is a ¾ fullered shoe, designed for the Warmblood horse to suit most riding and wear requirements
NOVEMBER 2011 in this issue of Mustad News Where it all begins Mustad LiBero Now Out! Virtuous Circles Winning with Mustad In the spotlight Mustad Facebook Opinion Leaders Q&A Happy Anniversary
2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Mustad Friesland Drachten, Netherlands
St.Croix Minnesota, US
Mattheis Borg Itaipava, Brazil
Mustad Argentina Tres Arroyos
Where it all begins MATTHEIS BORG
Mustad ARGENTINA
Located in the beautiful mountainous region adjacent to Rio de Janeiro, Mattheis Borg is today our largest unit in terms of production volumes. Production started in 1993, and soon Mattheis Borg became a strong player in the South American markets. Today, at MB we manufacture a wide range of products including JK steel horseshoes and supply the needs of the Latin American markets, with presence in Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Argentina, and Chile, among others.
Mustad Argentina started in 1993 with the objective to supply the Argentinean and Uruguayan markets, specializing in the production of shoes with rolled profiles, following the English shoeing traditions. Even though the production of steel shoes has grown and its presence in the market reaches as far as Central America, the core products that give MA its strong identity are the aluminum shoes. Manufactured with very strict quality standards, our products have entered the world’s main racing shoe markets, such as the US, Great Britain, France and Australia.
Founded in 1895, with Mustad since 1984 Location: Itaipava, Petrópolis - Brasil Surface: 3.993 sqm Head of Production: Efrain Roa
ARGENTINA Founded in 1993 Location: Tres Arroyos, Buenos Aires, Argentina Key products: EquiLibrium Aluminum Surface: 1.250 m2 Head of Production: Juan Marsico
ST. CROIX FORGE With all production lines being served by 6-axis robots, SCF stands out as our #1 factory in terms of technology. Acquired in 1999, SCF is the premium horseshoes brand in the world, with worldclass, top quality reputation recognized globally. Our range of products go from simple shoes like the Lites, through more sophisticated shoes such as the Advantage or Concorde. What started back in the 80’s on a mission to create America’s Founded in: 1984, with Mustad since 1999 finest horseshoes, is now rooted in Location: Forest Lake, our DNA: to make the horse’s athletic MN endeavors or work more comfortable Head of Production: Mike Zeller and effective. NAILS
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WHERE IT ALL BEGINS Taking a peek at one of our horseshoe factory: Mustad Friesland
Innovation, know-how and technology in the2-3 home of Frisian horses 4 5 Mustad Friesland is the main producer of steel horseshoes for the 6 European market within the Mustad group. The focus is mainly on the 7 riding and sport horse segments of 8 the European market It Is based in Drachten, the Netherlands, at the 9 heart of the Frisian region, where the 10 horse breed carrying the same name
originates from. This is a land with a strong, long-time tradition in horse breeding and the magnificent horses from the region are now well-known Aerial view of Mustad Friesland worldwide. Therefore, not surprisingly, a lot of horse knowledge in the area! What is now Mustad Friesland was a factory originally started back in 1994 by a couple of former Werkman employees: back then it was called Basic BV. In the original factory, technical skills were very high but improvements were needed in regards to shoe design and financial management. The Mustad group stepped into the operations in 1997 and the issues that prevented Basic BV to evolve and succeed were gradually solved. “What was found at Basic BV” says Jacques Marais, Mustad Friesland’s General Manager “were 3 generations of horseshoe production technology working jointly and a very professional and committed workforce”. When we ask what in his opinion is the biggest distinguishing feature of the production technology at Mustad Friesland, Jacques has no doubts: “We use rolling as our primary way of pushing volumes within a bar length to the desired place, before forging the shoe with a drop hammer”. The main benefit of this system is the ability to add various features to very plain raw material at a very low scrap rate. “As a result” says Jacques “our shoes are rich in features and our production line is very efficient”. Recently, new investments have been approved for Mustad Friesland in order to further improve the product quality: a new gas oven with automated unloading will be soon operating, which will cut back the throughput time of the production line and will help to improve the overall look of our shoes. The product quality will certainly be strengthened further by these improvements – as well as our market positioning, as a consequence. There is a lot to be proud of: many achievements, growing success and increased product and brand credibility. What makes this success story even more amazing, like Jacques reminds, is that “all our technology has been developed in-house and together with our advanced toolroom we were able to develop the EquiLibrium shoe together with Utrecht University. While the competition were still building their brand based upon tradition and craftsmanship, we have taken a step ahead and merged our long-time experience with technology and science.”
1994
Founded BASIC BV
2000 DM range launch
2004
Introduced sole relief on most shoes
1995
1st production line operational BM range launch
1997
Mustad acquires 60% of BASIC BV
2001
New factory layout Launch the Euro as an upgrade to the SA shoe Launch LB DM front side clips
2002
Introduction of 5 axes milling machine and 3D CAD/CAM system Euro Lite & Continental launch Split hot/cold work sections
2007
2006
Launch the EquiLibrium shoe
New upper die for Equi-Librium
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1998
2nd production line operational Mustad takes 100% control LB range launch
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2003
Developed new rolling rings for better clips Sponsor various studies at Utrecht university’s Veterinary faculty
2009
Challenger launch as the upgrade to the Euro
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1999
Building extension to 4.800 m2 3rd & 4th production lines operational
2011 LiBero launch
Mustad LiBero is a 3/4 fullered all-round horseshoe based on feedback received on our very successful LB range. We like to think of it as an upgrade on our base range making it suitable for most leisure and sport purposes with a wide variety of sizes and sections. Shoeing more safely and easily with LiBero
Sole relief
The new LiBero shoe has been designed thanks to the collaboration of an extended farriers team, formed by eminent specialists from France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Switzerland. The main objective of our team of experts has been to respect as much as possible the natural shape of the hoof, providing the best support and protection for the horse, while making farriers life easier when shoeing. Our new LiBero shoe allows the farrier maximum flexibility in choice of modification or application.
A moderate form of sole relief now starts 1mm after the white line. This ensures that no part of the sole will be weight bearing without increasing the risk of a stone lodging between the shoe and the sole.
ABC (Anatomical Branch Concept)TM Even if some models give a somewhat symmetrical feel, the LiBero range features, as traditionally with Mustad, left and right models. The outside branch of LiBero is clearly marked in the fuller and is always slightly longer, with the nail holes punched a fraction coarser for optimum fitting and nailing on. The bents of the inside and outside branches follow the physiological shape of most European breeds
Unique Nail Hole & Fuller Design We have learned from experience that as much as 50% of the shoe can be worn away during one shoeing cycle. The consequence of this is that the top half of the nail hole should not be relied upon for shoe retention. We have redesigned the crease and the nail hole in order to guarantee that the nail will always fully seat at the bottom half of the nail hole in combination with Mustad nails. Ideal matching for easier nailing The V-fuller fits seamlessly with most European style standard and long neck nails. Nevertheless we strongly recommend to use it with our Concave or EXL nails, for which the shoe has been specifically machine-punched. The crease run-out has been kept as short as possible in order to leave ample freedom for stud placement in the heels.
NOW OUT ! new, innovative products that just hit the market
2-3 The new Mustad LiBero™ finally liberated !
4 5 The new LiBero horseshoe was officially launched last March 3rd at a farriery event hosted by our danish partner 6 Berger Smedie in Herning. LiBero is our new ¾ fullered allround flat horseshoe based on feedback received on our very successful LB range. 7 have chosen to invest significantly As it will replace one of our best-selling product for the european market, we on the LiBero launch,and the market response so far has been extremely positive. 8 We believe LiBero has excellent features that make it not only and simply an upgrade of our base LB range, but also a flexible allround shoe suitable for most leisure and sport purposes even9at professional level. It is innovative in its shape, design and technological details and will be available in 10 a wide variety of sizes and sections,
representing a volume product in the seasons to come. As part of the launch plan, a number of activities have been organized. Customers have been informed about the LiBero introduction and the related plan via a letter. At the same time, a selection of them has received a shoebox-shaped LiBero pallet (see picture below) containing their order for the sizes initially available. The whole marketing package with different materials (brochures–see bottom left, posters, banners and rollups) along with product samples for free distribution has also been delivered, in order to maximize the impact of LiBero once in store. When building the marketing materials, a particular emphasis has been given to the farrier Visitors at our booth during the Berger’s Smedie event perspective: visual links to their job have been utilized thanks to the test sessions we have organized. Farriers have told us they appreciate not only nice standalone product shots, but also and particularly the product in its actual collocation: on a horse foot. A few other events have supported the LiBero market introduction (in Belgium and France for instance) and we are proud to say that the feedback we got so far is reinforcing our full trust in this product.. What farriers especially like of the new LiBero is the unique, innovative design, specific for the front and hind models as well as for the side- and front-clipped models. Also, the special steel grade we have utilized for the new LiBero makes it particularly easy to mold – in other words, it makes farrier’s life easier! In the meantime, as the sport season is through, we start receiving the first echoes of LiBero and its performance capabilities. The dutch rider Patrick Kittel and his horse Scandic, shod by the long-time Mustad partner Uwe Lukas, are reportedly the first to win an International Grand Prix event using Mustad LiBero. We report about this and other events more into details on the following pages. And more news are yet to come on the LiBero family: you will know more very soon! Discover all the features and benefits of the new LiBero shoe and download the LiBero poster, brochure, banner and more on mustad.com by clicking here!
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VIRTUOUS CIRCLES our initiatives for the global hoofcare industry
2-3 at Calgary Stampede Mustad Team
New mustad.com website now live!!!
4 Calgary, Alberta 5 (Canada) - Mustad was among the 6 sponsors of the World Championship Blacksmith Competition, held 7 the annual Stampede event. in Calgary during 8 9 10
The new mustad.com website is finally online! The website has been completely redesigned and re-engineered to make it easier to browse, more friendly and intuitive and to showcase our product offer in a much more impactful way. The product catalogue, currently available in english, allows visitors to select products under many different parameters (usage, type of horse, materials, sizes etc.) in order to make an ideal choice among our hoofcare products.
A team of European top farriers sponsored by Mustad and including the likes of David Varini, Grant Moon (6-times World Champion), Billy Crothers (5 World Champion titles) and Paul Robinson (World Champion in Calgary in 2008), won the 4-men Team challenge during the World Championship Blacksmiths' Competition held at the Calgary Stampede (all 4 pictured above, left to right, while Paul Robinson hits the anvil). The Calgary Stampede, the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, attracts every year an average of 100.000 people/day across a 10-day program full of events, demonstrations and shows where horses are at the core of all activities.
In the multimedia section, a large amount of marketing and educational materials are provided for free download. We will keep feeding this section with new materials, both newly released and from our archives, as a valuable contribution to the industry and to farriers.
In the Business Center we offer dealers the unique opportunity to open up a customized webshop to sell Mustad and other hoofcare products online. A revolutionary initiative already successful with some of our european customers. Discover more by yourself at mustad.com! NAILS
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We would like to congratulate Steven Beane from England for winning the World Champion title for the third time in a row! Well done Steven!!! Next appointment: July 6-15th 2012 for the Calgary Stampede Centennial Edition!
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WINNING WITH MUSTAD the difference between a talent and a champion
Ingrid Klimke wins dressage at FEI European Championship
Sandra Auffhart 2-3 and Opgun Louvo in 2-3 Luhmuelen 44
Luhmuehlen, Germany Ingrid Klimke showed the youngsters how it should be done by storming four points clear of her nearest rival on the second morning of dressage at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmuhlen. Ingrid, who earlier this year had 12 weeks off with an injured knee, scored 30pen with her stalwart FRH Butts Abraxxas. "My trainer said I should get 29," she laughed. An unfortunate performance in the final Show Jumping event made her lose some ground and she finished 11th after leading the whole competition. But this is a really promising result after the serious injury that kept her away from training and competition for so long. Butt Abraxas competes with Mustad Equi-Librium Aluminum shoes. Read more about Ingrid in the interview on page 9
Luhmuehlen, Germany - August 28th - Sandra 55 Auffarth (GER,) and 66 Opgun Louvo claimed the Silver individual medal at the HSBC FEI European 77 Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen. The young rider proved to have 88 nerves of steel and finished the European Championships with only 37.00 penalty 99 points. Her mount Opgun Luovo was bursting with 10touch a single pole. The 24-year 10 energy and didn’t old professional rider was over-whelmed and could hardly believe what had happened. “I simply had not thought that this could be done. We’ve certainly had some constant good form the whole year come up with good performances but I had never dreamed we could make it to the top placings. I still cannot believe it!” Opgun Louvo was shod by Uwe Lukas using Mustad Libero front side clips and St. Croix Eventer Plus hinds side clips
LiBero gives the pros a competitive edge: Patrik Kittel and Scandic
Grand Prix Brazil 2011 – Rio de Janeiro
Falsterbo, Sweden, July 9 – Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic H.B.C. posted their personal best score to win the World Dressage Masters Grand Prix Freestyle before an adoring home side crowd of 3,500. Patrik and the 12-year-old KWPN stallion that competed at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, two World Cup Finals and the 2009 European Championships, scored 82.775 per cent to eclipse their previous best of 81.17% just two months ago at the CDI5* in Munich, Germany.
Last August 7th, during the 2011 Grand Prix Brazil held at at the Brazilian Jockey Club., Belo Acteon won the gallop race on turf. 4 years, trained by Dulcingo Guignoni and ridden by the young Henderson Fernandes (19 y.o.), Belo Acteon won what is considered to be the most important turf race in Brazil. The horse, created by Aluizio Merlin Ribeiro and owned by Stud H&R, led the race since the beginning but his victory was never safe until the finish line, resulting in a very dramatic final rush. Belo Acteon was shod with St. Croix CONCORDE horseshoes and COBRA nails model RH 4 ½:.
2nd B. Crothers D. Bazin 3rd S. Beane S. Brown 4th G. Golby M. Randles 5th S. Cox-Rushbridge -- D. Burchellshiny You can watch the highlights of the day on our Youtube channel by clicking here
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT We interview our top testimonial: ready to discover her training secrets?
INGRID KLIMKE SPECIAL One of the brightest stars of Eventing in the world. As well as a lovely, dedicated mother. Is that possible? At the same time? The answer is yes, and her name is Ingrid Klimke. Her endless list of successes (see them all here), where the Olympic Gold Medal in Hong Kong 2008 represents the peak so far, doesn’t mean she wants to stop there. Yes, she did take a break to give birth to her second child. But right after that, she was already back on track, focused on new challenges and the big next competitions –the London 2012 Olympics being the most important target. MN: Hi Ingrid: what are you currently training for? At the moment I train two seven year old eventers for the Nurnberger Burg Pokal event, which will take place in Germany next December 14th-18th. My other horses just enjoy their daily training to improve their skills. MN: At which age did you start riding and what is your recommendation to young riders that want to get to the professional level? Ingrid rides on FRH Butts Abraxxas in the dressage on April 22, 2011 in Badminton, UK.
My first pony club horse show was at the age of 5. The basics for anyone who wants to make it to the top level are very simple. First of all, you have to truly love horses. Secondly, you must work very hard and always try to improve your own riding skills. What is your relationship with your farrier like and how important is good hoofcare for your horses? Our relationship is very open and honest. It is based on a constant dialog, I tell him about my impressions while riding and he shares his work with me. I have always realized that a good hoofcare is one of the most important things to avoid injuries and keep my horses sound and happy. Could you describe a usual training day? All my horses are trained individually. I won’t tell you much about our different training techniques but you can discover more yourself as we organize open days at our training ground (see more here). Anyway, we do whatever is necessary to keep our horses healthy and happy. What is your favorite horse/pony ever and why? It would not be fair for me to name one above the others. There were several very special horses who taught me how to ride. And I have loved them all! After Beijing’s gold, London in 12 months: how do you prepare for such an important event? First of all FRH Butt´s Abraxxas will get a winter break. In spring Ingrid Klimke and Abraxxas jump in the Team Final during Day 4 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 12, 2008 we start the season early and have already prepared a daily plan to keep him in the best condition! And in a blink of an eye, she is already back to work. Is this “hard working” philosophy her real secret? Whatever that is, GOOD LUCK, INGRID!
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MUSTAD Carlos A. Xifra
Horseshoe Manufacturing Director
Carlos Carlos Carlos
Luca Bertolino St. Croix Forge
Seize the Advantage! stcroixforge.com
Male August 26, 1961 St. Croix Advantage: A shoe for peak performance
Mechanical Engineer, University of Mar del Plata, Argentina
2008 200819991991-1999
Work
St. Croix Forge, Inc. 5195 Scandia Trail Forest Lake, MN 55025 - USA W +1 651 464-8967 x 227 F +1 651 464-8213 M +1 612 865-6803 cax@mustadusa.com
Horseshoe Manufacturing Director DMHC Operations Director SCF General Manager/President Mattheis Borg Managing Director
Sports to practice: soccer, windsurfing, fishing Sports to watch: rugby, American football, women’s and men’s gymnastics (we have two competing gymnasts at home!) Traveling and spending time with family; Outdoors activities with kids, interaction with nature Learning through my children’s eyes. I enjoy helping them with their school homework. I am always reading/studying stuff related to my career. Currently pursuing CPIM certification with APICS (Certification in Production and Inventory Management, with American Production and Inventory Control Society)
Easy break-over in all directions, thanks to full rolling and blunt toe • Enhanced traction provided by vshaped crease and concave surface • Optimal heel support through a wide heel design My new EquiLibrium mustadhorseshoes.com
Equi-Librium, the horseshoe for sports horses If you want the best for your horse too, ask your farrier to see what benefits Equi-Librium can have for your horse
My Story at Mustad
My relationship with the hoofcare industry started when I joined the Mustad Group. Soon after my marriage, and during the hyperinflation years in Argentina, I found myself looking for a new career opportunity when I stumbled upon this newspaper ad looking for Production Engineers for this group’s units in Poland, Turkey and Brazil. Whereas both Poland and Turkey were geographically and culturally far from my South American way, the option of Brazil was quite attractive, and I applied for it. However, I could not identify the name of the company or its business. The ad was talking about “Hoofcare”, and “hoof” in Spanish translates as “casco”, which may have three very different meanings. For example, it could be a ‘helmet’ or a ‘hard hat’, so I concluded this Mustad people may produce safety equipment or in the armament industry. Or, it may refer to the ‘hull’ of a ship, so it may be a shipyard. Or else, it may refer to the horses’ hooves and … “no, it can’t be that”, I thought. But it was. So, eventually I joined the Mustad group on April 1, 1991 (Fool’s Day!). My initial plan was for a short tenure, about 2 years, and then to get back to Argentina, but I just turned 20 years in the company. I started in Mattheis Borg Ltd. setting up the automatic machines for the nail process, and soon became the General Manager. It was under my tenure in Brazil that we started a horseshoe production project in Brazil, and this was basically the first step to prepare the entry of the Mustad Group into the horseshoe market. I have fond memories of my time at Mattheis Borg that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and particularly about the outstanding human group that I left behind when I joined St Croix Forge in 1999. When I joined Mustad I had a job offer from Cargill, the international Minnesota-based food giant, and I had to choose. Interestingly enough, I ended up in Minnesota anyway. My time at St Croix Forge has been extremely rewarding, and the transformation that my team and I have achieved is perhaps the highest mark in my professional career. Today, both St Croix Forge and Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center are two of the star companies in the Mustad group, and I am proud to be part of them. Today, I have also been given the responsibility for managing all Mustad horseshoe manufacturing units, overseeing all horseshoe related operations in the US, Holland, Brazil, and Argentina. So, if you happen to have a problem with shoes, that’s me the one you have to talk to. Also, as if I didn’t have enough, I am leading the deployment of Sales & Operations Planning process in the US and soon in the other group’s units. So, it’s been 20 years already in the group. It’s been an amazing ride, with good and not-so-good moments (as everything in life), but I would not hesitate to do it again if given the opportunity!
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OPINION LEADERS home of the experts
Not just another farriery manual A short review of Chris Gregory’s “Textbook of Farriery” from someone that knows it very well by Chris Gregory
There is something about owning a horse that cannot be expressed or conveyed with words. For those amongst us that have a love and admiration for this noble beast, being around them is itself a pleasure. This short article is a letter to the owner that has the desire to not only own their horses, but also to provide their horses with an exceptional and healthy life. Although, owning a horse also creates a responsibility that, to many of us, is as much a pleasure as a duty. A large part of that responsibility is learning what is required to keep a horse. There is knowledge needed about nutrition, pasture, stabling, barns, tack, vaccines, other medicines, and the list continues. But, there is one part of the horse that demands a large amount of study and information. That part is the feet. To obtain knowledge about the feet can be a bit of a daunting task. It requires weeding the good information from the bad, judging your horse’s feet against the models that are shown and discussed, and finding the professional that can provide the footcare that your horse deserves. With this in mind, I wrote a book that is aimed at everyone who wishes to improve what they know about the horse and its feet. My career choice has been that of a farrier. Beyond that, I have been a farrier educator and author of articles concerning farriery. Like many of my peers, the horse’s hoof and everything to do with it has been a passion that is not easy to describe. This passion has led me to write the book titled: Gregory’s Textbook of Farriery (GTF). In the course of many years of study and practice, I have been able to acquire some skills and knowledge that I wished to express in a textbook. The GTF is not like most of the textbooks that I have seen. It is not an unfriendly and dry list of one fact after another, simply laid out for you to wade through like deep mud. Rather, I wrote it in first person as if I were talking to my students. This approach has been appreciated by many of those that have read this book. I really wanted those with a desire to learn about the foot to have the information available in an easy to use format. Farrier textbooks that are written in a language designed to confuse – well, they do just that. I have tried to introduce the reader to this language so that it is no longer confusing. There are a lot of essential things to know about the art and science of farriery. The GTF will cover everything you need to know, as well as many things that are great to know. This book: - Is jam-packed with vital information that you need to be better at anything to do with horse care at any level. - Has 696 full color pages with over 3400 pictures and drawings. - Is written in first person, which makes it user friendly as a textbook. - Features simple to understand drawings and descriptions to make the difficult subject of anatomy easier. - Contains a picture chapter of what good shoeing should look like. If you have anything to do with horses, you can benefit from adding the GTF to your library. From barn managers, to trainers, to owners, to vets, to farriers, there is something in this book for every horse person. I hope that it can give you the wisdom needed to make life for the horses in your circle better. A professional horseshoer since 1987, Chris Gregory is one of the most trusted names in farriery and hoof-care education. Through his commitment to improve equine footcare, over 1000 students have graduated from his horseshoeing programs. Chris earned the title of Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (FWCF) at the age of 30. The Worshipful Company of Farriers, (WCF) is a group founded in London in 1356 and regarded by many as stewards of horseshoeing’s highest standards. Only 35 farriers in the world currently hold this distinction.
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Q&A a chat with....
Juan Antonio Marsico
Production Manager, Mustad Argentina In the company since January 1994
MN How did your passion for horseshoes begin? JAM: Back in 1984 I used to work at a tractor repair
shop, unfortunately after a long drought, the company had to cut some employees out and I lost my job. I had an interview with one of the partners of a prestigious metallurgical company (MTA, Metalúrgica Tres Arroyos) that I joined the next day as a lathe operator. I was surprised when someone told me that the company´s business was to manufacture horseshoes, I never thought horses still wore horseshoes. At the beginning we produced steel sheets and forged cross sections with mandrils, it was a very hard process, and four years later they were replaced by Juan Antonio enjoying some leisure time with his family laminated cross sections, that revolutionized the production back then. Nowadays we have semi-automatic processes for steel bending and aluminum forging. We have a layout, development, and tools manufacturing team for every production process.
MN. What have been the most relevant changes in your job through the past 27 years? JAM. The first significant change was in 1994 when the Mustad Group acquired MTA and I got a position as
supervisor in charge of five operators. The second change was the purchase – in 1996 – of a small aluminum horseshoes factory, which allowed me to expand my knowledge to a new product. Ultimately, when the Mustad Group acquired St Croix Forge, they gave us the great opportunity to be the manufacturers for one model of aluminum horseshoes that was produced in the USA back then.
MN. What are your biggest challenges as a production manager? JAM. The main one for us, the fifty two members of the factory, is
certainly to keep the excellent quality of the products we manufacture. Also, to have a qualified and loyal working team, committed to the company guidelines, will allow us to work along with the innovation team in every project to our reach.
MN. Tell us about your family and your personal interests.
JAM. My family is composed by my wife Emilia and my kids Gianfranco and Sofía. My parents are Italian immigrants who arrived in the country after World War II. I have relatives currently living in Italy to whom I fortunately had the chance to pay a visit. I love to keep the family traditions along with members of the Italian Society Cultural Group of Tres Arroyos I belong to. The latest outcome of Juan Antonio’s team efforts: the new Equi-Librium Aluminum
This is Mustad News – the Mustad Hoofcare Group Global Newsletter - November 2011 - Issue # 3 Editor: Luca Bertolino A huge ’thank you!’ to all contributors. You can be a contributor too! Email your input and ideas to: lucabertolino@mustad.com NAILS
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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY A long-timers celebration:
Mustad !
In 2011 some of our colleagues celebrate a special anniversary of their experience in the Mustad Group. No words can express our gratitude for the loyalty along these many years and for your great contribution, which have made the success of us all. Therefore we’ll keep it short and only send out a big
THANK YOU !!! LEONARDO AGUILA – ST. CROIX FORGE FREDRIK ANDERSSON - MFORS DANIEL BERTILSSON - MFORS ÖRJAN BRYNTESSON - MFORS MORGAN ELIASSON - MFORS CHRISTELLE GREMAUD - MHOOFCARE YESID MUÑOZ - EMCOCLAVOS BO NETTELBO - MFORS EMRE OZAYDIN – NATAS CIVI
- Emcoclavos
MARCELO PALEO - MARGENTINA NICOLE PITTET - MHOOFCARE OSCAR RICO - MARGENTINA MAURO RODRIGUEZ - MARGENTINA ROMAN SAN - MARGENTINA ROBERTO SOSA - MARGENTINA RUBEN STADELMAN - MARGENTINA MEINT VRIES - FRIESLAND
JAIRO DAVILA – EMCOCLAVOS RONALD EDLER – ST. CROIX FORGE MURIELLE GUILLET – MUSTAD HOOFCARE ORLANDO HERNANDEZ - EMCOCLAVOS ANDERS LARSSON – MUSTADFORS THOMAS LIDSKOG – MUSTADFORS RICARDO MORALES - EMCOCLAVOS ELISA PETERSON - ST. CROIX FORGE KAJSA UTTER - MUSTADFORS
MONICA ANDERSSON - MUSTADFORS SVANTE HAGER - MUSTADFORS ROLAND KARLSSON - MUSTADFORS
BERNT LILLMAN - MUSTADFORS
NAILS
SHOES
RASPS
12
TOOLS
HOOFCARE