Location, Location, Location!!!

The American Farrier's Association is currently headquartered in the heart of the horse capital of the world. The beautiful 1200 acre Kentucky Horse Park is recognized around the world as the epicenter of equestrian life, home to Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and other international level horse shows. The AFA office is located in the National Horse Center's Equine Village, nestled in among thirty or more national, international and regional breed, show and industry horse associations such as American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Hackney Horse Society, American Hanoverian Society, American Saddlebred Horse Association, Friesian Horse Association of North America, Irish Draught Horse Society of North America, Carriage Association of America and Kentucky Racing Commission, Kentucky Horse Council, Morgan Horse Pavilion, National Walking Horse Association, Paso Fino Horse Association, Rocky Mountain Horse Association, United States Dressage Federation, United States Equestrian Federation, United States Hunter Jumper Association, United States Polo Association and United States Pony Clubs, Inc.

Our valuable location in the Horse Park provides the AFA the advantage of visibility and an opportunity to form strategic partnerships and vital links and liaisons with other related professional organizations and associations. Don't forget to stop by the office and say hello when you visit the Park. The girls will welcome your visit and share with you a treasure trove of AFA archives held at the office. You will find your visit interesting and educational. We are easy to find at the park, Office Suite #1 or just look for our American Farriers Association, Official Farriers of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games banner.

Speaking of location, the American Farriers Team will be at the Kentucky Horse Park on Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 to practice for Stoneleigh. All are welcome to attend! Contact AFT Manager Conrad Trow for more information.

Certification Rules have changed:

We have made it easy for you to understand the new requirements with in depth articles on the new fit requirements and the new shoe modification requirements for the Shoe Board.

The new rules take effect on all certifications beginning May 1st:

"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."

Look for the first in a series of articles from Dennis Manning and the Certification Committee on the new rules and how it will affect your preparation. See photos of passing shoe boards and proper clip fit. Learn the best ways to cut your clip fit into the metal patterns with step by step instructions. This new Certification series will begin in the May No Foot, No Horse newsletter.

Certification Notes

Attention Therapeutic Endorsement Candidates:
If you are planning on attempting the AFA TE exams, please make sure you first contact John Voigt, CJF, Director of Endorsements. John can be reached at 618-521-2610.

Don't miss out on this important member benefit!

In keeping pace with an ever changing world, the updated AFA Certification Guide is now available in PDF format for download to all members. The new guide, with the most current information, rules and requirements, is now available to members at no cost, as a member benefit. It can be viewed, downloaded or printed. Contact the AFA office for your copy.

Of course, if you prefer, the guide is still available in hard copy. The hard copy version of AFA Certification Guide may be purchased on line from the AFA store or ordered directly from the office. The cost is $15.95.

Office Notes

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

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 time, 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 ends December 31, 2012.

May AFA Advantage Raffle Winner: Cogratulations to Frederico Garcia of Good Hope, GA! Frederico has won two boxes of horseshoes and two boxes of horseshoe nails, and all he had to do was be an AFA member in good standing! Make sure your dues are up to date to get your name in the hat for next months drawing.

Professional Farrier

There are several ways to view your PF. It will arrive in your inbox from Equine Veterinarian with links to both Magazines. You will also find links on the AFA web site and Facebook page. If you have been viewing the new digital PF on line and find it grainy and hard to read, just scroll over the page and click your mouse to expand and enlarge to full page view and it will be crisp and easy to read. We get both the Professional Farrier and Equine Veterinarian. There is a great article in the new Equine Veterinarian about How to build your practice in a down economy. Suggested reading for any farrier looking to grow in the business.

Click the link below to view the April 2012 Issue

April Professional Farrier E-Zine

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

2013 Convention Speaker Blurb

Simon Curtis FWCF, HonAssocRCVS - The Incidence of AcquiredFlexural Deformity and Unilateral Club Foot (uneven feet) in Thoroughbred Foals

The aim of this observational study was to measure the incidence of acquired flexural deformity (AFD) affecting the distal interphalangeal joint, (AFDdipj) and unilateral club foot (UCF) in a sample population of Thoroughbred foals, to examine any association between them, to examine other associated factors; including age, between AFDdipj and UCF, laterality, and time of year foaled. The study of 373 Thoroughbred foals on one stud farm was undertaken between 2006 and 2009. The foals were assessed every three to four weeks prior to routine hoof trimming, recording AFDdipj and UCF. The incidence of AFDdipj by age was very significant with a range 20 to 110 days; 23 (33%) AFDdipj foals later became UCF, a highly significant association; 54 foals (14.47%) were UCF right fore and 18 (4.82%) UCF left fore, a highly significant association of laterality. This talk will describe this study and its conclusions and also discuss the practical significance of its findings.

Events Calendar

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

Certification Calendar

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

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.

Roving Reporters:

We are looking for roving reporters from around the world. If you or someone you know travels around the globe and has a farrier related story we would like to know about it. Please contact John Blombach phantomfarrier@comcast.net or the AFA office.

Chapter Spotlight

If you would like the Spotlight on your chapter, send a short story of a recent event your chapter held and we will give your chapter the Chapter Spotlight.

Complimentary Classifieds

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.

Apprenticeship Wanted - Central New Jersey, will travel, Justin Dagnall, 908-528-1864, Justdags009@aol.com

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."