Probable Cause

The horse goes lame sometime between your last visit and the next shoeing. We know who always seems to wind up on the bottom of that food chain in this kind of situation...the farrier.

Ask a veterinarian or trainer and they are quick to tell you it's they who are the ones needing the broad shoulders and at the bottom of the food chain.

However, since over 90 percent of lameness in horses occurs in the lower limb between the solar surface of the hoof and the fetlock joint it is easy to see why someone might make the case for the shoes to play some part in some way or at some level.

Avoid the collision - fix the problem before the lameness begins. No veterinary diagnosis or prescription is needed. In fact, corrective action is our responsibility because of - our knowledge and expertise - in the area of lower limb anatomy and physiology.

Many times we are the first responders when the horse just isn't moving quite right. At this point we have a responsibility to pay close attention and take action to avoid some finger pointing down the road. Talk with your horse owner and decide what shoeing changes to make (if any) based on your observation.

Achievement Awards Nomination Deadline Approaching

If you would like to recognize an AFA member for outstanding contributions to the Farrier industry, nominate them for an Achievement Award. It would be a great way to show them how much their time and talent means to you and the AFA.

All nominations must be sent by December 1, 2012.

Download the nomination form below and send it to:

Garrett Maloney, CJF

Achievement Committee Chair

19 Stone Bridge Road

Chepachet, RI 02814

E-mail: stonebridgeforge@verizon.net

Achievement Award Nomination Form

AFA Nominations and Elections Committee Update

Candidate statements for the upcoming election are now available. Please select the link below to view it now.

Candidates

Region 1
Jeremiah Harris, CJF

Region 2

Dennis Manning, CJF

Region 3

Write-In Candidate - Tim Dodd, CJF

Write-In Candidate - Donnie Perkinson, CJF

Region 4
No Candidates

Region 5

Garrett Maloney, CJF

Vice President
Tom Dubois, CJF

Treasurer

Bruce Worman, CJF

President-Elect
Margie Lee-Gustafson, CJF

AFA Candidate Statements

Communications Committee Update

The AFA Communications Committee is looking for a talented and knowledgeable individual to write an article about winter shoes for the December issue of the Professional Farrier e-zine. If interested, please contact Deb Ash, CF at afacommcom@gmail.com, or via phone at 859-285-8333.

In addition, starting with the January No Foot No Horse Newsletter issue, we will have a "Letters to the Editor" section. If you have a letter to the editor you would like to submit, please forward it to the AFA office at rheighton@americanfarriers.org.

AFA Membership Directory

The 2012 AFA Membership Directory is now available in a downloadable pdf format. Please select the link below for your copy.

2012 AFA Membership Directory

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.

Did you know you can advertise in the Professional Farrier e-zine and get your business seen by over 10,000 vets, farriers and horse owners?! Contact Dick Booth at Boca Publishing today to hear the great advertising rates available!

bocapublishing@bellsouth.net

Click the link below to view the October 2012 Issue

June 2012 Professional Farrier E-zine

June 2012 Equine Veterinarian E-zine

October 2012 Professional Farrier E-zine

August 2012 Professional Farrier E-zine

2013 CVT Logo

Convention and Contest Registration is now OPEN!

Select the link below to download your copy of the registration packet now, or visit

www.americanfarriers.org to register online. Remember, you get a special "Early Bird Discount" if you register by January 15th!

2013 Convention Registration Packet

2013 Speaker Blurb

Dianne Lemmon, CJF - The AFA's Cultural Exchange - 30 Years of Memories

The speakers will be past attendees and hosts talking about their CE memories, experiences and how the CE has influenced their work and businesses.

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 $3,500! 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
One Vettec start up kit donated by Vettec
Two Paul Mitchell Knife Sharpeners, donated by Paul Mitchell Sharpeners

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
Two Paul Mitchell Knife Sharpeners, donated by Paul Mitchell Sharpeners

**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.**

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

Certification Update

1. The time limit for the Certified Tradesman Farrier Practical Exam has been extended from 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours.

2. The AFA Certification Study Guide is available to all AFA members in a downloadable pdf format. Please contact the AFA office for your copy.

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.

Apprentice Wanted: Looking for apprentice starting March 1, 2013 in Illinois. Send resume to Steve Sermersheim, CJF, TE, AWCF - PO Box 27, Collison, IL 61831. This is a 2 year program with incentives.

Apprenticeship Wanted: Laura Mathis, a recent graduate of Five Star Horseshoeing School is currently living in Oklahoma City, but is willing to relocate for the opportunity of a full time apprenticeship. Laura can be reached at 480-313-9218, or via e-mail at lauraquestrian@yahoo.com.

Apprenticeship Wanted: Max Grant, a 2011 graduate of the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School, is looking to expand his knowledge and skills (focusing on anatomy, forging and corrective shoeing) with an apprenticeship. His favorite area of shoeing is quarter horses. Currently located in Western New York, he is not opposed to moving. Max can be reached at 716-413-1250 or via e-mail at maxfield417@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."