Member Benefits Bulletin

AFA Membership Directory: The AFA has come up with what we think is a reasonable solution for the Membership Directory. Like the Certification Study Guide, it will be distributed by e-mail; however, the AFA will provide print copies of the Membership Directory to members who request them. You must make your request for the printed version no later than the close of business on Friday, September 14, 2012. The Directories will be produced shortly after the Mid-Year Board of Directors Meeting and distributed no later than November 1, 2012.

Farnam Coupon Book: Promote your services with a free business card horse owners are sure to hang onto! The AFA Coupon Book has approximately $70 in Farnam horse care savings, exclusive to the AFA. Every time horse owners save on horse care, they'll think of you for hoof care. The coupon books include your name, address, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, along with your professional experience, expertise, and specialties.

To order your coupon books, go to www.horseshoerssecret.com and use your AFA ID # to log in. The coupon books are only good until December, so act fast!

AFA Certification Study Guide: With the new online, downloadable, AFA Certification Guide, you can have your cake and eat it too. Each of our Certification Guides contain all you need to know to be prepared for your AFA Certifications. Better than ever, that's what many farriers are saying about it. Some have printed the Certification Guide out in full page, color format and placed it in a loose-leaf binder for future reference. This will preserve the booklet and make it easy to keep track of. This will also make it easier to update later by only requiring the new updated pages to be printed and installed.

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.

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

American Farriers Team Practice Dates:
June 22 & 23, 2012 - Kentucky Horse Park Mounted Police Barn
July 27 & 28, 2012 - Kentucky Horse Park Mounted Police Barn
**All are welcome to attend**

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.

Regional News

Vermont Farriers Association (VTFA) hosts an annual AFA Certification annually the first weekend of June. 4 weeks prior VTFA hosts a Pre-Certification Clinic which mirrors the practical exam with score sheets and AFA testers as well as forging assistance and demos for shoe boards and bar shoes. Many say the VTFA Pre-Cert is the BEST and attribute the effectiveness to preparing for and knowing exactly what is expected during the exams.

The 6 farriers who attended BOTH VTFA Pre-Cert and Certification passed at least one part of their exams. Tom Morin - CF written and shoe board, Georgia Barry - CJF written and shoeing practical, Corey Oldroyd - CJF bar shoe, Michael Linton - CF shoeing practical, Nick Mulligan - CF shoe board and JOEL AMEX - CF written who became a CF on that day! Congratulations to all!

In total VTFA had 16 farriers testing and of the 16, 12 passed an exam! Pretty good success rates!

Corey Oldroyd, CF of Shoreham, VT

VTFA 2

Article Courtesy of Vikki Fortier

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.

Click the link below to view the June 2012 Issue

June 2012 Professional Farrier E-zine

June 2012 Equine Veterinarian E-zine

2013 CVT Logo

2013 Contest Rules and Shoe Drawings now available!

Select the link below to view the 2013 National Forging and Horseshoeing Competition rules and shoe drawings.

2013 Contest Rules & Shoe Drawings

Baton Rouge Attendee Raffles

If you are registered as a regular convention attendee, you have the opportunity to be drawn for one of two wonderful raffle prizes, valued at over $3,000! The first drawing will be for First Time Attendees, and the second will be for Regular Attendees. Both first time attendees and regular attendees will receive one raffle ticket, and the winner will be chosen at the conclusion of the General Membership Meeting on Saturday, March 2nd. You must be present to win. The list of prizes include:

First Time Attendees Raffle

A complete set of hand tools donated by GE Forge & Tool
A Myron McLane Apron donated by Myron McLane Aprons
Two Hurricane Forge hoof knives donated by Hurricane Forge
One shoeing box, donated by Yoder Blacksmith Supply
Once Vettec start up kit donated by Vettec

Regular Registered Attendees Raffle

One Scott Anvil donated by Scott Anvils
One Scott Anvil tripod anvil stand donated by Scott Anvils
One Blacksmith Model Forge donated by Forgemaster

**AFA Officers, Regional Representatives & Committee Members are not eligible to win. You must be a first time attendee or a regular registered convention attendee to be eligible to win. Single day attendees are not eligible to win. You must be present at the AFA Annual Meeting to accept the prizes.**

**If you wish to donate to this raffle, please contact Eric Nygaard, CJF, AFA Convention Coordinating Committee Vice-Chairman at newfarm2@aol.com or 941-350-5131.**

Jason Maki, CJF to Speak in Baton Rouge

Jason Maki CJF is a 1997 graduate of Heartland Horseshoeing School and is currently working for Texas A & M University. Jason will present two lectures in Baton Rouge. The first will be an in depth look at the use of wedges. Jason will explain which wedges work and when to use them. During the second lecture, Jason will discuss capsular distortion and what to do to restore the capsular shape.

You won't want to Miss this!!!

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 - San Diego, CA - Laura Mathis, 480-313-9218, lauraquestrian@yahoo.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."