Deadline Approaching for AFA Annual Awards Nominations

Garrett Maloney, CJF, the AFA Awards Chair, is issuing "last call" for the December 1 deadline for nominations for the 2014 AFA Achievement Awards to be given out at the awards ceremony at convention in February. There are nine different categories of recognition, and everyone knows someone who has "gone the extra mile" this past year as an AFA member.

Please take a moment to click on this link

2014 Achievement Nomination Form

and nominate a deserving member for special recognition of his or her service.

To make the nominating process even easier, Garrett has indicated that he will accept an email nomination as long as it contains the following:

Name of Award:

Name of Nominee:

Reason for Nomination:

Your Name:

Your Signature:

Your AFA Number:

Email to: stonebridgeforge@verizon.net

Subject Line: AFA Awards Nomination

** Please note: All nominees must be AFA members in good standing **

Convention Speaker Highlights

The Woes of Highs and Lows

  Brian Barrett, CJF, TE, AWCF and Brent Barrett, CJF,DVM are not only brothers who share the unique distinction of both being highly accomplished farriers, but they are also well known and sought after clinicians. The AFA is delighted that they will be joining us for a two-part lecture and live demonstration on a topic that concerns anyone who shoes: "The Woes of Highs and Lows Reading Feet and Radiographs."

  They will discuss how to address excess toe length through trimming and shoeing using concepts other than simply trimming more toe and backing up the shoe. Further discussion will center around the hoof pathology found in long-toe/low-heeled feet and club feet, and how these pathologies impact soundness. Of special note will be a brief but thorough presentation of how to read radiographs with an eye toward understanding the radiographic soft tissue parameters.

  To read more, please select this link: 

The Woes of Highs and Lows

Brent Barrett, CJF,DVM,

Brian Barrett, CJF, TE, AWCF

Modern Materials- Thinking Out of the Box

  Rubber-coated thermoplastic, composite, and integrated shoes; hoof wraps, acrylics, titanium, magnesium and copper are just some of the materials available today for use in addressing cases that in some instances had to be written off as hopeless only a few years ago.

  Join Travis Burns CJF,TE,AWCF for a discussion and demonstration of a practical approach towards knowing when and how to apply modern farriery materials.

  To read more, please select this link:

Modern Materials

   Competition horses face a challenge that is unique: they are routinely asked to consistently perform well at the highest levels while key factors that may affect performance such as footing and weather are frequently highly variable. Add in the fact that high-level performing horses are often members of the frequent flyers club, jetting from one continent to the next in pursuit of lucrative purses within compressed time periods, and the considerations a farrier must review while shoeing these equine athletes are also often unique. Let's take a look at horses performing in each discipline to gain a complete understanding of what is expected from them so that we can shoe accordingly.

  Dave Farley, APF, CF, will share his extensive knowledge gained from shoeing high-level performing horses for years, including horses competing in seven different Olympics. Dave is widely recognized in the U.S.  and abroad as a superb clinician and was honored in this capacity by the AFA in 2000 when he was named Clinician of the Year. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 25 for Dave's presentation immediately following lunch. 

Southeast Triple Crown Conclusion

Open: Daniel Jones, CJF

Open: Daniel Jones, CJF

Western States Farriers Association Clinic Review

For example, he noted our fixed expenses such as insurance, truck, tools, supplies, office, utilities, advertising, dues, education, retirement plan, and continuing education. These expenses form the basic backbone of our business and are considered a necessary expense. Variable costs reflect our choices and/or fluctuations in the market pricing. Shoes, nails, pads, adhesive, traction, propane, welding, fuel, oil, repairs, clothing, and taxes usually fall under this category. If you drive a truck that is rarely, if ever, in for repairs, your cost of shoeing a horse is far less than the farrier whose truck always seems to have one thing or another wrong with it. And yet, how often do we stop to factor these things into our cost of doing business?

Using Jeff's model brought the farrier's cost of shoeing a horse to $65, not including mortgage, children's education, or vacations. He suggested doubling the cost to $130 for customers with a horse with 4 flat shoes.  Attendees appreciated Jeff's willingness to share his knowledge and spend a day with them.

In addition to Jeff's lecture, Dr. Michael Peralez of Arcadia, CA, spent Sunday showing those in attendance how x-rays of different views can assist with diagnosis, solving issues, and ultimately helping the horse.  According to Dr. Peralez, all the drugs in the world cannot do as much for the horse and his performance as good shoeing.

Many thanks to Harry Patton Horseshoeing and Ada Gates Patton for hosting such a great clinic. 

DATE CHANGE!

Please note date change for Texas Professional Farriers Association  certification event in January.  The new dates are THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 & 9, 2015.  Contact Tony Dawson,CJF at 936-552-7463 for details.  Also, Texas A&M will host an Equine Seminar on Thursday, January 8, 2015.