Forge Fate Farrier Service

08/01/2025

In this episode of Echoes & Embers, we sit down with internationally recognized osteopath Janek Vluggen to explore the deep science, philosophy, and practice...

07/31/2025

Edited to show the third human toe is the equilivant to the horse foot. Also the horse splint bones are thought to be the equivalent of toes 2 and 4 in the human.

What a clever way to illustrate the foot of man and lower leg of the horse.

Drawing taken from “The horse its treatment in health and disease, 1909”.

They have similarities in the bone structure however the biomechanical are quite different.

I love it when I hear folks compare horses feet to human feet and I untangle in my head, what they describe, to see if what they are saying is actually correct. Flipper feet (long toes), stones in shoes (protruding bars) etc.

My journey of biomechanics is in its infancy but it’s a truly amazing topic. I had a great 2 hour conversation with a farrier from the US today, Jeremy V. He explained such a lot to me and helped me understand more about the biomechanics.

When you consider the fetlock on the horse and the cannon bone as one of the directions of force (perpendicular) then there is the pastern line of force at at angle, it’s quite complicated. At stance it’s ok. Start the limb moving then woah……🤯🤯🤯🤯.

07/22/2025

Great information!

Most equine owners know that a negative Coggins test is a document required to be able to transport their animal across state lines, enter them in a competitive event, or board at someone's barn. But what does the phrase "negative Coggins test" actually mean?

A "Coggins" is a blood test that can only be performed by USDA-approved laboratories and checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies in the blood. EIA is a potentially fatal blood-borne infectious viral disease that is primarily transmitted by biting flies, particularly horseflies—which means that your animals are at risk even if they never travel or live in a closed herd.

The clinical signs of disease can vary dramatically from an acute infection to an inapparent form, but what is important to know is that it produces a persistent infection. Once an animal tests positive for EIA it becomes a lifelong source of disease transmission, so the owner can only choose between quarantine for life or humane euthanasia to ensure that large outbreaks of the disease don’t occur. There is no vaccine and no treatment for EIA.

Take-home message: While a Coggins test is a necessary travel document, don’t forget that it's also first and foremost a way to identify and remove EIA carriers to keep the disease under control.

To learn more about EIA, visit our website at: https://aaep.org/resource/equine-infectious-anemia/
or visit the Equine Disease Communication Center's website: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/

07/22/2025

TEACH 𝕚𝕥 𝓣𝓾𝓮𝓼𝓭𝓪𝔂-

It’s 🪰 buzz & 🌧️ bog season in Florida!

Here are a few common reasons we’re seeing more pulled shoes this time of year—especially with fly season in full swing and all this rain:

☔ Wet Conditions: Constant moisture weakens hoof walls and softens soles, making it harder for shoes to stay on.

🦟 Stomping at Flies: Repeated impact from stomping loosens nails and shifts shoes over time.

🌧️ Dry-to-Wet Swings: Horses going from dry stalls to wet turnout fields experience expansion and contraction in their hooves—bad news for shoe retention.

🐎 Playful Behavior: Cooler weather or pent-up energy can lead to more running, pawing, and roughhousing.

07/17/2025

We are now accepting new clients!

Forge Fate Farrier Service LLC Jeff Mangone APF I would like to welcome you to Forge Fate Farrier Service! we are Dedicated to enhancing the health and Performance of your horse with expert hoof care and personalized service. With years of experience we prioritize the well-being of your equine partn...

07/03/2025

Our friends at Florida Farrier Service, Inc thank you for such a wonderful post there’s no truer statement. I have been trying myself to figure a tasteful way to post the same meaning but you made the perfect post so thank you for sharing!

07/03/2025

🙏🐴 A Heartfelt Thank You from Forge Fate Farrier Service 🐴🙏

On behalf of Jeff Mangone, APF I, and everyone at Forge Fate Farrier Service, we want to extend a sincere thank you to all of our amazing clients. Your trust in us to care for your horses is something we never take for granted.

Jeff feels truly honored and privileged to be part of your horse’s journey, and it’s incredibly rewarding to hear about the progress and success your equine partners are making under his care.

Whether we’re helping your horse overcome challenges or simply keeping them in peak condition, your confidence in Forge Fate means the world to us. We look forward to continuing to serve you with dedication, skill, and integrity.

🐾 Here’s to sound strides and strong hooves! 🐾
~ Jeff Mangone, APF I
Forge Fate Farrier Service

07/03/2025

📣 Farrier Case Study: Helping a Horse with Navicular Thrive Again 🐴
🔧 Shod by Jeff Mangone, APF I | Forge Fate Farrier Service

Today, we helped a horse suffering from navicular syndrome get the support it needs to move more comfortably and with less pain. For this case, we used an aluminum JB blunt egg bar shoe paired with an impact pad—a combination designed to reduce concussion and protect sensitive structures in the hoof.

✅ Why this setup?
The egg bar shoe helps distribute weight and relieve pressure on the heels, which is critical when dealing with navicular. The impact pad absorbs shock with every step, helping to reduce vibration that could irritate the navicular bone and surrounding structures.

🔷 Why a square toe?
A squared and backed-up toe allows the hoof to break over more efficiently, meaning the horse doesn’t have to work as hard to lift and move the foot forward. This earlier breakover reduces strain on the deep digital flexor tendon, which in turn lowers the pressure on the navicular bone—one of the key goals when managing this condition.

This is just one example of how proper farrier work can make a big difference in your horse’s soundness and comfort. Every shoeing plan we design is tailored to the individual horse’s needs, with both performance and long-term health in mind.

🧲 Have a horse struggling with navicular or other lameness issues?
📞 Contact Forge Fate Farrier Service today and let us help you forge a better future for your horse.

06/27/2025

🧬🐴 Understanding Lameness: It’s Not Always Your Farrier’s Fault 🐴🧬

If your horse is coming up lame, it’s easy to point fingers at the person working on their hooves. But did you know that genetics, age, disease, and injuries are some of the most common causes of equine lameness?

➡️ Horses, like people, are influenced by their genetic makeup. Certain conformational traits passed down from parents can lead to long-term stress on joints and hooves.
➡️ As horses age, wear and tear on their joints and soft tissues becomes more pronounced, increasing the risk of lameness.
➡️ Diseases like laminitis, navicular syndrome, and arthritis can cause ongoing pain and soundness issues—no trim or shoe job can “fix” these problems overnight.
➡️ Past injuries—even ones that seemed minor—can resurface over time, especially with changes in workload or terrain.

🎯 A skilled farrier’s job is to support and manage these conditions, not magically cure them. Proper trimming and shoeing can make a world of difference, but they work best when paired with realistic expectations and a full veterinary diagnosis.

👨‍⚕️👢 The best results come from teamwork: Farrier, vet, and owner all working together with the horse’s best interest in mind.

✅ Stop the blame game—let’s focus on solutions.



Forge Fate Farrier Service
Jeff Mangone Apf-l

06/21/2025

Witch does your horse have?

06/21/2025

Congratulations to our friend Frank!

With a 15-inch-long beard that’s been growing for 15 years, New Jersey farrier Frank Bevacqua has been selected as the American Farriers Journal “2025 Farrier Beard of the Year” winner.