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American Farrier's Association
AFA E-bast
Issue 4
 
American Farrier's Association
4059 Iron Works Parkway
Suite 1
Lexington, KY  40511
859-233-7411
Fax: 859-231-7862
 
41st Annual Convention
2012 CVT Logo 

 Registration for the 41st Annual AFA Convention is now open!  Registration Packets as well as Registration Forms for the National Forging and Horseshoeing Competition are now available for download on the AFA website.  Registration for the convention is also now up on the AFA Online Store. 

Convention Registration Packet 

 

National Forging & Horseshoeing Competition Form

41st Annual Convention
2012 CVT Logo 

Important Convention Dates

  • Pre-Registration Deadline: February 17, 2012
  • Hotel Discount Deadline: February 3, 2012
  • Contest Registration Deadline: January 1, 2012
  • Certification Written Test Deadline: February 1, 2012

 

2012 CVT Logo 

Thank You to our Sponsors!

(list as of 12/22/11)

 

Hoof Level

Farnam

 

Forge Level

Vettec, Inc.

Horse Science

Thoro'Bred, Inc.

 

Hammer Level

Premier EquineHealth Products, LLC.

 

Rasp Level

Castle Plastics, Inc.

The Horseshoe Barn

Monetta Farrier Specialties

Northeast Farrier Supply

NC Tool Company, Inc.

Jim Keith Tools

Ken Davis & Sons, Inc.

Nordic Forge, Inc.
Five Star Horseshoeing School

 

National Forging & Horseshoeing Competition Sponsors

 

Two Person Draft Class

Timpson Tamco, Inc.

 

Reserve National High Point Award

Farrier Industry Association

 

Vector North American Challenge Cup

Vector Horseshoe Nails

 

Delta Specialty Forging Class

Delta MustadHoofcare Center

 

Vern Hornquist Memorial Class

Walt Taylor, CF

 and Myron McLane, CJF 

 

Journeyman Class

Available for Sponsorship

 

National High Point Award

Available for Sponsorship

 

Overall High Point Award

Available for Sponsorship

 

**If interested in sponsorship, please contact the AFA office** 

"The Equine Veterinarian"

The AFA is excited to learn about a new publication that will be produced by the same company that will be creating our 2012 Convention Program.  "The Equine Veterinarian" will be a great way to keep the lines of communication between the farriers and the veterinarians open.  Click here to learn more:
            

The Equine Veterinarian

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Dear Member,

 

Please note that the AFA office will be closed on the following days for the holidays:
Friday, December 23rd
Monday, December 26th
Friday, December 30th
Monday, January 2nd
 
Sincerely,

Rachel Heighton

American Farrier's Association

Office Manager

 

We would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May you have a safe and happy holiday season!

The AFA EC - Buck, Tom, John, Eric, Alan and Jason

 

Contest Deadline Approaches!

 

Please remember that the deadline for registering for the National Forging and Horseshoeing Competition is January 1, 2012.  Please mail or fax your registration forms to the AFA office ASAP!

Letter from the President-Elect

On December 8th, AFA leadership received an email announcing the creation of the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF.) It is remarkable to me what has transpired since.

Of the AFA members I have talked to concerning this subject, there has been surprise, conjecture, and in a few cases outright anger about the formation of this new association and its founders. I have to ask; why?

Since I have been a member of the AFA there have been a few national organizations formed, the Brotherhood of Working Farriers most notably and several regional associations, most who have become AFA chapters. None to my knowledge have set out with the specific mission of causing harm to the AFA.

After a conversation with their president Jeff Ridley, CJF, TE of Iowa, I am still not quite clear on why the AAPF was formed, I was however informed that the AAPF wants to help support the AFA in any way it can. I have been further assured by Mr. Ridley, he and his board of directors will continue to be dues paying members of the AFA.  I for one chose to take him at his word and wish him and the AAPF all the best.

Therefore, I ask that you, the membership of the AFA choose not to be angry at our brothers and sister who have formed this association, but to embrace them and wish them well. The leadership of a farrier organization is a tireless, thankless job that they desire to take it on. They should be applauded not chastised.  These people are still members of this association and grateful for the things that the AFA has done for them.  

At this point of the year, while we celebrate the holiday season let us also celebrate the diversity of our trade.

 

Thomas N. Trosin, CF

President Elect, American Farriers Association

 

 

 

 

Convention Lecture Highlight

 

 Martin D. Kenny C.J.F. R.J.F. H.R.S.

 

 

Title: Stretch your process, not the hooves you tend to!

 

In this 2 part lecture we will look at the way the hoof capsule reacts to stimuli that the hoof care professional creates while trimming and shoeing. We will look, from both the external as well as the internal perspectives, at how such things as placement of nails affects the stability of the hoof capsule as well as how the sequence in which your apply those nails effects it as well.

We will also look at the effects of common trimming protocols on the integrity of the hoof capsule and how many things we have been taught may need to be re-examined.

We will use study data to back up the information that we bring to you, so that you will be able to make an educated decision yourself as to if this information will provide a new way of doing things when you get home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Contest Update
The updated rules and shoe list for the 2012 National Forging and Horseshoeing Competition are available for download here.  If you need a copy sent to you, call the AFA office at 859-233-7411.
CONTEST REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 1, 2012!!!
Certification Calendar

 

January 13 & 14, 2012 - Texas

Hosted by TXPFA

Texas A&M - College Station, TX

Contact: Scott Inmon, CJF - 972-979-2238

Examiner: Greg Burdette, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

  

February 11, 2012 - Illinois

Hosted by LLHA

Anvil Brand Shoe Co. - Lexington, IL

Contact: John Voigt, CJF - 618-521-2610

Examiner: John Voigt, CJF

All Levels Written Only

  

February 11, 2012 - California

Hosted by Sierra South Horseshoeing Scool

Ramona, CA

Contact: Ken or Shelee Lyon - 760-788-0665

Examiner: Alice Johnson, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

 

 

February 29, 2012 - Alabama

AFA Convention

Mobile Bay Convention Center - Mobile, Alabama

Contact: AFA Office - 859-233-7411

Examiner: Wayne Allen, CJF

All Levels

Areas: Written ONLY

 

March 17, 2012 - Utah

Hosted by UTHG

Utah State University - Wellsville, UT

Contact:  Kelly Liptrot, CF - 801-710-0630

Examiner:  Dave Wright, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

 

March 24 & 25, 2012 - New York

Hosted by WNYFA

Center Pointe Stables - Penfield, NY

Contact: Kirk Smith, CJF - 607-351-0125

Examiner: Phil Bower, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

 

March 30 & 31, 2012 - West Virginia

Hosted by WVFA

Augusta, WV

Contact: Tony Weatherholt - 304-703-0440

Examiner: Phil Bower, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

  

April 6 & 7, 2012 - Indiana

Hosted by Indiana State Horseshoeing Academy

Straughn, Indiana

Contact: Ryan Clarke, CJF, FE - 317-554-7170

Examiner: Danvers Child, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

  

May 4 & 5, 2012 - Illinois                                       Hosted by Midwest Horseshoeing School

Divernon, IL

Contact: Steve Sermersheim, CJF, TE, AWCF - 217-304-1478 or Midwest Horseshoeing School - 217-697-4899

Examiner: John Voigt, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

 

 September 28 & 29, 2012 - Indiana

Hosted by Indiana State Horseshoeing Academy

Straughn, Indiana

Contact: Ryan Clarke, CJF, FE - 317-554-7170

Examiner: Danvers Child, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

 

 

Exam Fees:         

$50 (AFA Members) - Certified Farrier, Certified Tradesman Farrier, Certified Journeyman Farrier

                               $200 - Non AFA Members

 

 

Mission of the AFA

"To further the professional development of farriers, to provide leadership and resources for the benefit of the farrier industry, and to improve the welfare of the horse through continuing farrier education."