Today as we struggle through these tough economic times and uncertain future, we need you more than ever to help us maintain our powerful voice and grow our membership. For nearly the last half century the American Farriers Association has been a strong advocate and voice for farriers the world over

Strength in Numbers

Word-of-mouth is still the best way to grow AFA membership. By referring just one new member, you will make a difference. Please join us in this very important drive. Encourage someone new to join the AFA today. Educate others about the benefits of AFA membership.

Special New Member Rate

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.

AFA Cultural Exchange Update

Follow Georgia Barry, CF on her grand adventure as this years recipient of the AFA Cultural Exchange Trip!

Select the blog link below to find out where she is and what's she's doing!

http://georgiasuktrip2012.blogspot.co.uk/

Georgia Barry, CF

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.

Please contact the AFA office no later than September 14, 2012 if you want changes to your information that will appear in the directory.

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:
July 27 & 28, 2012 - Kentucky Horse Park Mounted Police Barn
**All are welcome to attend**

July AFA Advantage Raffle Winner: Cogratulations to Jim House, CF of Fayetteville, AR! Jim has won two boxes of horseshoes and two boxes of horseshoe nails, and all he had to do was being 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.

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.

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.**

2013 Speaker Blurb

Steve Sermersheim, CJF, TE, AWCF & Robbie Hunziker, CJF - Coronary Band - Coffin Bone - Inside of the White Line - The Beginning of Every Shoe Job

In this lecture you will see how the coronary band, coffin bone and inside of the white line dictates how and what trim as well as the size shape and proper fit of the shoe. It may sound basic but you will learn that "No Gimmick Farriery" is what keeps horses hoofs strong and working. See and discuss pictures of a hoof dissection conducted using this method; the pictures don't lie. Solidify your shoeing technique with the fundamentals that are often overlooked. Learn good, sound, fundamental shoeing practices that you can quickly implement and use every day.

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."