Get the knowledge you need - the 42^nd Annual Convention of the American Farriers Association, the longest running national farrier educational event in the country, this year will be held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

HEARTBEAT OF THE AFA

ATTENTION CHAPTER PRESIDENTS: CHAPTER PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION AND MEETING: Don't miss the Chapter Presidents reception and meeting being held at the AFA Convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is to be held on Friday evening before the Auction (Time and Room to be announced). We are excited about this opportunity to meet and greet with all our Chapters and select a chairperson to head up our Chapter Committee. We realize that our chapters are the "grassroots" of the American Farriers Association and the sum of our chapters is greater than the whole. We look forward to seeing each and every one of you. Please join us for this special groundbreaking event.

STAR STUDDED SPEAKER LINE-UP

Hands-On - 5 stations manned by the American Farriers Team, Anvil 21, and members of the Certification Committee.

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

Pat Reilly - Laminitis - A Different Approach

Pat Reilly - A History of Horseshoeing in the 19th

Century United States

Colin Mitchell, BVM&S, MS, Dipl ACVS. - Diagnosis and Treatment of Flexural Deformities in the Immature Horse

Simon Curtis FWCF, HonAssocRCVS - The Incidence of AcquiredFlexural Deformity and Unilateral Club Foot (uneven feet) in Thoroughbred Foals - Shoeing (Plating) the Thoroughbred Racehorse - ** sponsored by the Jim Linzy Fund**

Steve Sermersheim, CJF, TE, AWCF & Robbie Hunziker, CJF- Identifying Hoof Balance, Shape, and Shoe Fit From Observation of the Hoof's External Structures and What These Structures Are Telling Us About The Inside of the Hoof Capsule. - A 2 Part Lecture. Demo: Shoeing the English Sport Horse - Using tried and true fundamentals

Chip Crumbly, CJF, AWCF - Do Letters and Ribbons Matter?

Jason Maki, CJF, Dip. WCF - Which Wedge Would Work When a Wedge Should Work Well?

Jason Maki, CJF, Dip.WFC - Anything said to be Negative Cannot Be a Good Thing!

Eric Nygaard, CJF - Are You Running a Successful Practice or is it Running You?

Dr. David Hood - Applied Anatomy of the Hoof Capsule and Axial Core

Dr. David Hood

- Applied Anatomy of the Foot's Dermis and Dermal/Epidermal Interfaces

Get with the Pro-Gram. Don't miss this premier event. Register now!!

FEEDBACK:

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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 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 National Forging & Horseshoeing Competition Rules and Shoe Drawings

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.

2013 Convention Program

The 2013 convention program is now available to view! Select the link below to see a copy today!
2013 Convention Program

Convention To Offer On-Site Clothier

We are proud to announce that Red Stick Sports will be on-site at the convention to sell AFA merchandise, and customize your purchases with your name, AFA certification, etc. Be sure to stop by their room, located next to the AFA registration office.

Convention Attendee Raffle

The 42nd AFA Convention will send two lucky regular registered convention attendees home with a truckload of goodies, valued at over $3,000!!!

First Time Attendees Raffle - will receive one raffle ticket to the drawing for the items below. Drawing to be held at the conclusion of the AFA General Membership Meeting on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

A complete set of hand tools donated by GE Forge & Tool
A Myron McLane apron, donated by Myron McLane
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 - will receive one raffle ticket to the drawing for the items listed below. Drawing to be held at the conclusion of the AFA General Membership Meeting on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

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 and committee members are not eligible to win. You must be a first time attendee or a regular registered attendee to be eligible to win. Single day attendees are not eligible to win. You must be present at the AFA General Membership Meeting to accept the prizes.**

AFA Advantage Raffle

The AFA Advantage Raffle is back! This year at the 42nd Annual Convention we will be raffling off a John Deere X300 Mower! Tickets are $5.00 each, or save and get 5 for $20.00! Drawing will be held during the 42nd Annual Convention Banquet. Need not be present to win. Tickets will be available for purchase at the AFA registration office, or at the AFA booth in the MarketPlace.

mower

Wednesday Night Welcome Reception

Don't miss the convention welcome reception Wednesday night from 8:00pm until 11:00pm in the Atrium of the Hyatt. There will be drinks, camaraderie, and live music from Rodney Thibodeaux and Tout Les Soir Band!

band Rodney Thibodeaux and Tout Les Soir

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.

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."