Trim A Horse For The Association

 AFA President, Margie Lee-Gustafson, proposed in a recent issue of the AFA newsletter, No Foot, No Horse that AFA members consider donating the price of one trim to the association. This is a great way for members to show their support for AFA programs, and I would like to endorse this initiative and encourage members to participate.

Please mail a check to:

The American Farrier's Association

4059 Iron Works Parkway

Suite 1

Lexington, KY 40511-8488

or, call the office at 859-233-7411 to make a donation by credit or debit card.

Your support of your association is greatly appreciated.

Tom DuBois, CJF - AFA President-Elect

Pablo Munoz Benefit Clinic 

Dates: Nov 1 and 2, 2014

Place:  Gene and Mark Lieser's shop - Weslaco, TX

Pablo Munoz is one of our young, up and coming farriers, and is currently dealing with cancer issues.  He needs help and we're going to do what we can for him.

The entire Cat 6 Team will be on hand as clinicians.  This includes Gene Lieser, CJF, Austin Edens, CJF, Jake Engler, CJF, and Mark Milster, CJF They will help you with any shoes or tools you want to learn to make, so bring your equipment and be prepared to work.  This is likely a one-time only opportunity to get this much help in one place.

COST:  $100 PER PERSON

We will also have an auction, so we need donated items, especially those cool handmade items ya'll are so good at making.  They can be sent to Mark Lieser, CJF or Laura Kurtz, along with any donations you'd care to make if you can't be there in person.

There may be an anvil shoot, as well.

Host Hotel:  Super 8 Motel

                       1708  East Exp. Airport Drive
                         Weslaco, TX  78599

                         956-969-9920

TPFA or group rates:  $49.99 single or $59.99 double

For more information, please contact Mark Lieser, CJF at 956-373-8662

Past President Eric Nygaard, CJF, of Sarasota, Florida, is being forced into retirement because of heart complications stemming from a minor injury that took place in 2008. A benefits clinic to assist Mr. Nygaard with his extensive medical costs and other expenses will be held this December in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

In 2008, the Past President injured his finger, causing him to lose his fingernail. The injured finger developed an infection that eventually found its way to his heart. He was hospitalized for an extended period of time until a defibrillator was implanted to help stabilize the condition. Since that time, several more procedures, including the installation of a pacemaker, have been attempted to get his heart back to full working order, but it was not to be. Currently, the Past President is waiting for doctors to decide the right time to perform a full heart transplant. For most of the past year, he has been under doctor's orders not to work.

Although the Past President was initially able to rebuild his business, he has had to rely on various friends and neighboring farriers to help him maintain his book.  He has recently been forced to face the decision all farriers fear, the decision to no longer shoe horses. To say this is a life changing event is an understatement.

Recently, the friends that Mr. Nygaard has made through the Association over the years have come together to announce a benefit clinic to help defray the medical costs and other expenses that he faces. This clinic will be held December 12 and 13 in conjunction with December 11 AFA Certification in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  The event will feature several lectures and demonstrations by noted farriers including: Dr. Michael Miller, Dan Bradley, Doug Workman, Tab Pigg, Steve Sermersheim, and many others. A full schedule of events is available on our website americanfarriers.org; by emailing the Association office manager, rheighton@americanfarriers.org; or from event organizer and clinician Robbie Hunziker, at (813)312-1551. 

If you wish to donate an item for the Auction, you can contact Mr. Hunziker or Hank Chisholm at (601) 947-5602. Items for the Auction may also be mailed directly to:

Hank Chisholm, CJF
135 Donaldson Road
Lucedale, MS  39452

Jacob Manning, CJF

The American Farrier's Association welcomes new Director from Region 2, Jacob Manning, CJF. Jacob is stepping in for his dad Dennis Manning, CJF who is leaving on a mission with his wife, Gloria.

Congratulations

Colton Perkinson, the son of Region 3 Director and AFA Secretary Donnie Perkinson, CJF, graduated form US Air Force Basic Training on September 19, 2014 and is moving on to Tactical Air Combat Patrol School. Congratulations to Colton and the Perkinson family.