Plan Now To Attend - 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. This destination venue is practically an event in itself with the warm weather, southern hospitality and great food.

Farriers Helping Farriers - There will be presentations by the industry's most distinguished speakers followed by ample time for questions and discussion. We have planned more great speakers and more great topics than ever before with thought provoking lectures and seminars and special hands on, practical sessions. You are guaranteed to come away with very practical knowledge that you will be able to use on your first day back at the job.

Challenge Cup - You will have the exclusive opportunity to watch the one and only National Horseshoeing Competition, held every year in only one place; The American Farriers Association Annual Convention. See some of the world's top farriers compete for a coveted spot on the American Farrier's Team. Our team competes at the International Invitational Team Farriery Competition held each year in Stoneleigh, England.

Huge Marketplace - The Farrier Industry Association will provide the opportunity for attendees to have plenty of time to stroll through the Marketplace and see all that's new and learn about all the fascinating new high tech products available this year to help you improve your performance as a farrier and improve the quality of your life.

AFA Convention, It's a No-Brainer! Register now so you don't miss this premier event.

GRASSROOTS:

Chapter Presidents Reception:

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.

FEEDBACK:

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AFA Emroidered and Personalized Clothing Now Available!

Announcing a new member benefit! Official AFA logo wear now available! You may have your certification added (it will be verified at the AFA office) and you have an option to add your business or your personal name for a small charge!

A variety of items have been selected to allow you to show your pride in your profession.

To make it even better you can become a VIP member just by opting in to the exclusive VIP Club. Values created especially for AFA VIP members will be sent to your inbox once a week.

Select the link below to start shopping now!

AFA Clothing Store

Utah Horseshoers Guild Competition

Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!! To everyone one who came out and supported our first annual UHG Horseshoeing and Forging Championships. From the competitors, the sponsors, and the spectators. We could not have asked for a better contest! We were lucky to have Jim Quick as the judge and clinician. It is obvious after spending a few days with Jim that he has been to hundreds of contests around the world and has tons of insight into what it takes to be a good horseshoer and competitor.

We can't wait until next year as we hope to have an even bigger and better contest!

We would like to start off by thanking Utah State University for letting us use there great facility. All in Stitches logo apparel for the awesome sweatshirts, hats and prizes! Battlecreek Outfitters for the sweet chaps. Rafter V hoof nipper rebuilds and farrier supply, Utah horse council and the Four Corners contest. Without their donations it would not have been possible! Heartland Horseshoeing school, IFA country stores, FPD distributors, Blackwater forge and Chip Hunt tools. Again we can't thank our sponsors enough!!!! We would also like to give a big shout out to Jody Swenson for being the official photographer! And for helping out with all the other things she probably did not plan on doing before she got there. Thanks Jody!!!

Overall Winners

Div. 1

1st Darrell Eddington

2nd Dan Hales

Div. 2

1st Max Harris

2nd Alex Hover

3rd Cody Meacham

Open div

1st Travis Swenson

2nd Brian Nelson

3rd Matt Blackhurst

Best shod foot

Div. 1 Darrell Eddington

Div. 2 Max Harris

Open Travis Swenson

Draft shoe Class

1st Travis Swenson/Dirk Lewis

2nd Jacob Manning/Alex Hover

UHG Photo

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 February 2013 Issue

February 2013 Professional Farrier E-zine

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

New Mexico Professional Horseshers Association Clinic

Clinician: Blane Chapman, CJF of Lubbock, TX. Blane is the son of the laminitis pioneer Burney Chapman. Blane comes to us with an extensive background in laminitis and founder, and the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Schedule:

April 5, 2013

7:00pm - social time at the Ramada Palms de Las Cruces, located at 201 East University, Las Cruces, NM 88055. Call 575-526-4411 for reservations and mention you are with the NM Horseshoers Assoc or NMPHA along with the rate code CGHS.

April 6, 2013

8:00am - registration at The Landmark Mercantile located at 1200 Stern Drive, Mesquite, NM 88048.
9:00 - 10:30am - clinic begins with a powerpoint presentation to cover areas of laminitis
10:30am - 12:00pm - lab (dissection of the hoof)
12:00pm - 1:00pm - lunch including a NMPHA meeting
1:00pm - application of a hear bar shoe; building any applying of a shoe with a hospital plate on a horse

Cost: $30 for NMPHA members, $50 for non-members. Lunch is included for paid clinic attendees.

Contact: please contact any NMPHA officers with questions.
Andrew Varela - 505-470-0587 or andrewvarela@msn.com
Chase Roybal - 505-417-1703 or chaseroybal@gmail.com
Robert Ulibarri - 505-280-2054 or rulibarri@cnm.edu
Bill Boyd - 575-760-1109 or shoeboyd@desertgate.com

2013 CVT Logo

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 Soir0

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."