Convention Speaker Highlights

5 Practical Solutions to Horseshoeing

  Blane Chapman, CJF, of Lubbock, Texas brings a wealth of expertise to his lectures with an extensive background in successfully treating difficult laminitis and founder cases. On Thursday of convention week, Blane will be center stage discussing five practical solutions to horseshoeing aimed at avoiding problems:

  1. Trim - the importance of developing a proper trimming protocol 

  2. Protection - how to protect the foot

  3. Support - how, when, and why to support the foot

  4. Leverage - how to add or reduce leverage AP/ML

  5. How to combine these methods to achieve soundness
   You won't want to miss hearing Blane's insights garnered from years of successfully bringing horses thought to be "lost causes" back to soundness, and, in many cases, competition. 

Vet-Farrier Relationships and an In-Depth Look at Heartbar Shoes

Courtney Diehl, DVM

  It's true that there isn't any quantifiable proof that a good working relationship between a veterinarian and a farrier leads to a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of heartbar shoes.  

  Nevertheless, Courtney Diehl, DVM and Cricket McLaren, CF, not only maintain a healthy respect for each other's areas of expertise, but their partnership has proven to be of great benefit to the horse owners who routinely utilize their collaborative services. As an added bonus for their clients, this Steamboat Springs area Colorado based duo also manages to have fun at work!

  Presenting at the end of the day Friday, February 27, Courtney and Cricket will bring their shared expertise to a discussion about heartbars; their benefits and drawbacks, when they are and are not appropriate to apply, what constitutes proper fit, and how they can serve as a therapeutic modality. 

  You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn from a pair of professionals who would be the first to agree with the old adage that "two heads are better than one."

Christopher McLaren, CF

  Western States Farriers Association Welding Clinic

  Alice Johnson CJF, hosted a wonderful welding clinic for Western States Farrier's Association members at her shop in Morgan Hill, CA over the week end of Nov. 22-23. Erin Simmons, CF, was the clinician. Erin has forgotten more about welding than most of us will ever know! We had a great time and made all sorts of things. 

  I have lots of yard art, but none I have made, so I wanted to make a flower. We have a crazy, creative group, and we just kept seeing more we could do with our flowers. Once I got my flower rolling, we all decided to make a flower to donate to the Northern California Classic coming up in May 2015. It will be a special gathering since it will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the event. 

  Marijke Ellert, CJF, Dave Bivens, CF, Alice Johnson, CJF, Sam Duern, CJF, DipWCF, Darby Holden, CF, Erin Simmons, CF, and yours truly, Margie Lee-Gustafson, CJF, created three awesome flowers. Special thanks to Dusty Simmons who was fabulous in her role as Director of Creative Input. Yea, yard art!

  Also in attendance were Lacey Burt, Frank Pickell, Nick Crane, Travis Johnson, Mike DeLeonardo, CJF, Joan Harding, Joe Elliott, CJF, and Dr. Eric.

  Respectfully submitted,

  Margie Lee-Gustafson, CJF

MEFA 2014 Annual Clinic

  MEFA's 2014 Annual Clinic on bookkeeping and taxes was a HUGE success. 

  Mideastern Farriers Association held their annual clinic recently with guest speaker, accountant Sanjay Lodha, CPA, ACA. This was one of the best clinics I have ever attended on the topic of bookkeeping and tax considerations for farriers.  Statistically it has been noted that the farrier's number one struggle is in the financial and bookkeeping part of his or her business. There are not many farriers who can offer good advice and even fewer are professionally trained in this area. For most of us it is important to have a professional either set us in the right direction and then show us how to maintain our records, or we should just let them handle our books for us. Accurate record keeping is NOT something that should be ignored or left until the time we receive that dreaded letter from the IRS. You follow me?  
  Mr. Lodha was eloquent, engaging, and truly passionate about his calling. He discussed some very easy and simple things that we can all do to help ease our tax burden to keep better records. Personally, I thought I was pretty much doing all I could do. It turns out I was wrong. My biggest take away was learning what an S Corp is and why it's better than an LLC or sole proprietorship. Very good info and if you weren't there, seriously, you missed out. 
   Respectfully submitted,
   Lori McBride, CF

AWCF Examinations for 2015

  The Kentucky Horseshoeing School will be hosting the 2015 USA AWCF Examinations at their campus in Richmond, Kentucky. The examination is scheduled for October 22-25, 2015. If you have a desire to take the exam (not just an interest) please call KHS. Due to WCF requirements, testing must be reserved and paid well in advance of examiner flight reservations, etc., so all arrangements can be made. Planning is critical for the AWCF so please understand that we are trying our best to facilitate this Exam.
  For information, testing outlines, and registration, please visit the WCF website at

http://www.wcf.org.uk/usahigher.php, or call Kentucky Horseshoeing School.  A minimum of 20 modules must be registered in order to host the examination, so please DO NOT wait until the last minute.  All registrations must be in and paid for through the Worshipful Company of Farriers website NO LATER THAN June 30, 2015.
  There will be bunk space available on a first-come, first-served basis at KHS for those wishing to stay on campus. Please be prepared to reserve your spot by the June 30, 2015.
  Updates, preparation clinics and schedules will be posted on the facebook page.  Visit often so you don't miss vital information. https://www.facebook.com/KHSAwcf