Chapter Spotlight

The AFA Membership Committee is proud to announce the return of the AFA Member Get a Member and Chapter Get a Member Programs! Both of these will begin April 1, 2012 and will run through March 31, 2013. Select the links below to learn more!

Member Get a Member Program

Chapter Get a Member Program

April Raffle Winner
Congratulations to our April AFA Advantage raffle winner, Tommy Thompson of Belvidere, NJ! Tommy has won 2 boxes of horses and 2 boxes of nails, and all he had to do was be a member in good standing! Make sure your dues are up to date and your name will be in the hat for next months drawing!

Reminder to our Chapters: Please provide the AFA office with chapter member e-mail addresses so all chapter members can begin receiving their digital edition of Professional Farrier magazine starting in April 2012.

Membership Reminder: For a limited period any farrier who has never been an AFA member can get a one year trial membership for just $100.00, but hurry because this offer is over at the end of the 2012.

Certification Study Guides: The 2012, 7th Edition of the American Farrier's Association Official Certification Guide are now available! Please visit the AFA online store (www.americanfarriers.org) or call the office at 859-233-7411 to order yours today!

Vermont Farriers Association Annual Spring Clinic

The Vermont Farriers Association welcomed four presenters for their Annual Spring Clinic, which was held in Orwell, Vermont on Saturday, March 24th at the firehouse. The Clinic opened with a firehouse staff member demonstrating Large Animal Technical Rescue (LATR) which is now available by calling 911 in the event of a large animal emergency,

The first presenter was Leif Erickson, a Certified Master Farrier from New Hampshire with 40 years of valuable experience. His topic was "In Search of the Perfect Gait." Mr. Erickson states that there is much to consider when evaluating a horse for shoeing. Farriers must use their powers of observation, taking the whole horse into consideration. "The more you study visualizing the planes and points of reference on a horse while it both moves and stands, the sharper your eyes will get, as well as your ability to determine the probability of soundness."

Rebecca Watts, Resident Farrier for New England Equine Hospital, presented interesting case studies including: Laminitis, White Line Disease, Quarter Cracks and also the uses and value of glue on shoes in both clinical and non-clinical settings.

Presenter John Blombach, Certified Journeyman Farrier and President-Elect for the American Farrier's Association, shared a lifetime of stories and history of the farrier profession, as his father was a farrier before him. He outlined how things have changed over the decades. Some of the techniques now considered standard, he would have been fired for in his early days. His primary topic was "Performance Horse Shoeing" and he also covered a variety of industry "Nuts and Bolts."

The Final presenter was Greg Dowd, D.V.M. who spoke about integrating knowledge between veterinarians and farriers. Dr. Dowd covered a variety of topics including anatomy, venograms, biomechanics, common sedatives, reading radiographs and joint injections.

Certification Update

Shoe Display Changes

Those who have already started the shoe display portion of their certification exam prior to May 1, 2012 will be judged using the old rules. Those who begin their shoe display portion after May 1, 2012 will be judged using the new rules.

Any questions can be directed to Greg Burdette, CJF - Certification Committee Chairman.

Read below for the rule changes.

Certification Changes

Please note that the following changes to the Certified Farrier Horseshoe Display Guidelines will take effect on May 1, 2012:

All displays must incorporate both front and hind patterned shoes and all front or hind shoes must be made for the same front or hind foot.
From the widest point forward, allow +/- 1/16^th from the edge of the template and from the widest point back allow no more than 3/16^th from the bearing surface, noting that the minimum acceptable is a perimeter fit. (The minimum fit, which covers the entire bearing surface of the foot.)
All displays must be complete when submitted; partial displays will not be scored.
While no specific patterns are designated or specified, candidates are required to submit front and hind pattern plates. Candidates may use patterns of their own design or purchase a set of pattern plates from the AFA.
Patterns must be submitted with the display and be metal with a clearly defined frog, bearing surface, white line and accommodation for clip fit.
The candidate is responsible for modifying plates for clip fit.

START SAVING YOUR MONEY NOW!!!

PLAN ON ATTENDING THE AFA CONVENTION IN BATON ROUGE, LA IN 2013

2013 CVT Logo

If you have never attended an AFA Convention, plan on something big to happen if you attend the AFA Convention in Baton Rouge February 27^th - March 2^nd, 2013. We are raffling off a complete set of farrier tools complements of GE Forge &Tool, a Myron McLane Apron, 2 Hurricane Forge Hoof Knives and a shoeing box from Yoder Blacksmith Supply. Over $1,200 in tools and merchandise will be given away to one lucky attendee! The lucky winner will be drawn from only first time attendees at the General Membership Meeting on Saturday during the 2013 convention. You must be in attendance to win. Those who are regulars you have not been forgotten!! We have a surprise for you also.

Follow us on Facebook, the web site, the AFA Newsletter, and the new on line magazine for continuous updates. You won't want to miss this convention.

Looking forward to seeing you in Baton Rouge!!!!!!

Greg Johnson, CF & the Convention Coordinating Committee

Private Events Liability Disclaimer:

The American Farriers Association, its officers, Board of Directors and employees will not be held liable for injury, loss or damage to personal property associated with non AFA events.

Please send your events and functions to the AFA office for inclusion in the Website Events Calendar and our facebook page.

If you have items that are farrier related we will provide limited space for a complimentary ad for our members. Please send your ad to the AFA office. Limit: two lines - no photos.

Apprentice Connection

If you are looking to work for another farrier or if you are looking to hire a helper, apprentice, Journeyman, etc, please send us a description of your needs or qualifications and we will publish your contact information. Arrangements are made privately between the individuals and the Association cannot be responsible for the outcome.

Certification Calendar

For the most current certification calendar, please select the link below.

AFA Certification Calendar

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."