Recharge Your Batteries!

Packed days, educational seminars, networking and mentoring are just a few of the reasons you want to be there. The 42^nd Annual Convention of the American Farriers Association.

Set the stage for your success! The American Farriers Convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the best way for professionals who take their farrier business seriously to learn about the latest and greatest from the most knowledgeable folks in the industry. Ninety nine percent of attendees rate our Convention as an excellent value.

Seeing is Believing! Like no other in our industry, the AFA Convention features a learning venue covering a broader spectrum of topics than any similar event anywhere. An investment that once you consider all you get in return in the way of learning at the Convention seminar sessions and networking you will agree "well worth the cost"

Recharge your Batteries! In our industry there is no better way to have fun, learn a lot and make new friends than by attending the American Farriers Association Convention. See you in Baton Rouge 2013, Reno 2014, Mobile 2016. AFA, always the most bang for your buck!!

Happy Holidays!!! Happy Holidays!!! Happy Holidays!!!

Well here we are smack dab in the middle of the Holiday Season and everyone at AFA would sincerely like to wish each and every one of you a season filled with peace, love and joy.

AFLAC Insurance for AFA Members

AFLAC has a supplemental insurance policy for AFA members that everyone needs to consider. One very important question was in regards to those amongst us that are currently uninsured. AFLAC does not require you to have standard health insurance with another carrier. So this allows those of us that do not have insurance to at least afford coverage in two of the top three areas of health concerns: cancer, heart attack and injury. (FYI, the number 3 of the top three is surprisingly hospital visits). Please take the time to look into this great opportunity.

A hotline as well as a website devoted just to AFA members is now available! Contact 1-877-374-6917 or visit www.aflac.com/americanfarriers.

Rising Stars! AFA Communications is looking for a few good people to work on the e-blast, newsletter and magazine. If this sound exciting and interesting, contact Deb Ash at afacommcom@gmail.com or phone 859-285-8333.

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

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.

Keeping It In The Family

Are you and another family member members of the AFA? If so, are you both certified? If the answer is yes, tell us about it! We are curious as to how many father/son, mother/daughter, mother/son, father/daughter, brother and sisters there are that are both certified. If you fit that bill, please contact the AFA office and let us know!

A few of the father/son teams we are currently aware of are Chris and Cody Gregory, CJF, Doug and Jacob Butler, CJF, and Ritner and RJ Goff.

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 December 2012 Issue

December 2012 Professional Farrier E-zine

December 2012 Equine Veterinarian E-zine

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!

Contest Registration Deadline is January 1st!!!!

2013 Convention Registration Packet

2013 National Forging & Horseshoeing Competition Rules and Shoe Drawings

Hotel Information

The host hotel is the Belle of Baton Rouge. you must book your room by Monday, February 4, 2013 in order to receive the discounted room rate. Be sure to mention the American Farrier's Association room block when making your reservation. To make reservations, call 1-800-266-2692 or select this link: Belle of Baton Rouge Reservations.

Delta Airlines Discount

Delta Airlines is offering 5 - 10% off your airfare to convention. Reservations and ticketing is available via www.delta.com. When booking online, select "Meeting Event Code" and enter NMEXZ in the box provided on the Search Flight page. Reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-328-1111.

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.

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."