MARCH 2009

NO FOOT NO HORSE

The Official Newsletter of The American Farrier’s Association

EDUCATION ~ CERTIFICATION ~ COMMUNICATION ~ INNOVATION ~ RESEARCH

Conventional Wisdom: “Better Things Happen When You Share Together” -Walt Taylor, CF

From our founding member to our newest member, Chattanooga, TN was home to over 650 farriers* from

around the world during February 25-28, 2009. An amazing interactive resource, the AFA proudly promotes

the convention as an experiential gift to all of its farriers and students. The average farrier at the convention

has 15 years in practice--that’s a collective knowledge of nearly 10,000 years! However, such an extraordinary

figure still doesn’t quite encompass the many supportive attitudes, educational spirit, and vitality for the

profession that the convention presents to the farrier community. Three of the most influential members of the

AFA, from the founding father, to a longtime member, to our newest president, offered their views and advice

to NFNH on the progress of the organization while in TN.

After two decades of wandering in the wilderness, better understood as working without the benefit of fellow-

ship with other peers, Walt Taylor had the unique vision of assembling farriers for special times of unparalleled

learning and sharing of knowledge. He started shoeing in 1948 and actually started thinking about the AFA in

1968, and in 1971, that vision became a reality known as The American Farrier’s Association. At that time,

farriers had to travel far and wide to get together. According to Taylor, “the problem was that when we started,

the older people didn’t want to get involved because they already had their careers and their lives made.”

However, Taylor’s determination prevailed; “we were all young and ignorant together but we were really eager

to learn. When we did get together it was a real revelation when we all realized we really could talk and share.”

Thirty-eight years later, the effect of Walt Taylor’s desire to learn and share has not only benefited farriers, but

millions of horses and owners whose optimum hoof health has been realized by the hands and knowledge of

AFA skilled professionals. When asked about the most satisfying aspect of the AFA, Walt simply reflects on

“the fact that it worked, that’s the best part, the dream came true.”

For students and newer farriers, the AFA is a window of communication that connects them to dynamic learning

opportunities and support, as well as an understanding of the higher level of proficiency being a Certified Farrier

entails. As Walt Taylor himself reveals, “I have grown immeasurably just because I have had a chance to share

with people of kindred spirits.” This humble, yet determined attitude summarizes the feeling the convention pro-

vides with its commitment to education. Students are welcomed and treated with respect as the faces of AFA’s

next generation. “We were all young once, all soldiers, and all starting out. They don’t have to go back and plow

through the same ground that we did. They can come in at a level that was unheard of before. 7 They don’t

need to be ashamed, intimidated, or worried. Everybody has to start someplace, and this is their chance.” (WT)

Lee Green, successful owner of The Shoein’ Shop in Yucaipa, CA, and a well-known member of the AFA for

many years, believes that “AFA is the most important thing that has happened in our profession, because it has

raised it tremendously from what it used to be. Originally, to learn something was very difficult, you didn’t have

anyone to ask, help, or depend on, whereas somebody getting into farriery today has all of this laid out before

them7 it’s here for the asking7 There’s much more expected of a farrier when he goes into service today; he

has more to learn, but it is there for him. Entry into the farrier profession is certainly a lot higher than it was 30

years ago.” Ultimately, no matter how much experience a farrier does or doesn’t have, “the tip for success is to

get every bit of clinic education you can get, and draw from your elders7 they love to give.”

Raising the professional bar is an inherent part of the atmosphere the convention tries to aid farriers with: in

their own businesses, skill levels, and positive interactions in the community. Even Dick Fanguy, the current

AFA president, relates that “the AFA has actually built my career through the fellowship of the members here

that taught me from the ground up. It turned me from a backyard horseshoer into a farrier.”

According to its very founder, the future of the AFA is “only going to get better7the influence and the impact of

farriers as a group on the horse industry will be far beyond what we see now.” This bright future rests on the

same core attitude that has held the AFA together and propelled it forward through today. Walt Taylor recounts

it best through his experience: “there have been so many good people and so many positive things. It’s just

extraordinary. Everybody has been so open, giving, loving, and supportive. If I were able to pass that along,

and if everybody were able to enjoy the same thing, the sky would be the limit” for the AFA.

Story written by Susan Kayne & Rachel Carter -- *Source: http://www.afaconvention.com/con_auction.shtml

WHAT’S INSIDE

2: Editor’s Letter

3: President’s Letter

4: AFA Chapters &

Election Results

5: In Remembrance

~Edward Martin

~Allen Smith

~Dr. Rooney

~Kevin Fahey

~Reggie Kester

~Eddie Watson

6: Cultural Exchange

7: Convention

Testers & Examiners

2010 WEG News

8: Award Winners

9: National Forging &

Horseshoeing Results

Meet the 2009AFT

10: Jack

Millman CJF

11: Garnett

Oetjens CJF

12: Behind the Scenes

At The Convention

13: Chapter Events

14: Certification Dates

Walt Taylor CF &

Myron McLane CJF

Chattanooga, TN

http://www.vettec.com

The AFA is represented by 51 Chapters throughout North America stretching from Alaska and Ontario to Florida. Year-round, Chapters hold their own “mini” Conventions for members in the form of educational c linics, contests, certifications and gatherings to simply exchange ideas, fellowship among one another and mentor students.

Chapters are showcased each year at the Convention in Chapter Alley, a hallway decked out with pictures, shoe displays, newsletters and memorabilia that defines the spirit of each Chapter’s members.

This year Michigan featured photos celebrating its 40t h year, Texas presented a spectacular shoe board (pictured below) along with copies of their award-winning newsletter, South Western Ohio Farrier’s

Association display shocked v iewers with a array of never seen before dissection photos and Alabama’s display embraced the sweet home feeling unique to the south.

Chapters play an integral part in the success and hosting of the AFA’s Annual Convention. This year the duties fell to Kim Simmons, President of the Tennessee Professional Farriers Association and Doug Workman, CJF who presides over the Georgia Professional Farriers Association. Both Chapters worked in unison with AFA Committees to create an unforgettable 38t h

Annual American Farrier’s Association Convention in Chattanooga, TN.

To find a Chapter near you and participate in activities to help your career contact the AFA Office by phone at 859.233.7411 or email: Info@AmericanFarriers.ORG

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2009 ELECTION RESULTS

At the 2009 AFA General Membership Meeting on Saturday, February 28, 2009

AFA Elections Committee Chair Don Gustafson CJF announced the following results for the

2009 elections:

President-Elect: Eric Nygaard CJF

Vice President: Steve Sermersheim CJF

Region 1: Pat Gallahan CJF

Region 2: Dennis Manning CJF

Region 3: Garnett Oetjens CJF

Region 4: Steve Davis CF

Region 5: Jack Millman CJF & Jock Owings CJF

Congratulations to Texas Professional Farriers Association on winning the Sharon Walker

Association Newsletter Award with Hammer & Tongs edited by Kathleen & Jim Poor

In the January 2009 issue of NFNH in the article entitled "Foal Hoof Care Fact Sheet" on pages 10 and 11, appeared with no copyright information. The following caption should have been added: “ Copyright © 2004, Karl Douglas Butler, Jr., Doug

Butler Enterprises, Inc., The Principles of Horseshoeing (P3) is the ultimate book on horse foot care for farriers, veterinarians, and horse owners featuring over 2,350 illustrations. Learn more at: www.DougButler.com

The most precious gift of our t ime here on earth is the heartfelt exchanges we are blessed to experience with one another. Whether with family, friends, mentors, or strangers it is a feeling and a knowing that something eternal has occurred in our finite being. These experiences are never forgotten and often articulated many years later through notes, tears, and remembrances. Though many claim to be “farriers”, the community is actually very small. Its hugeness lies in the depth of its passion and respect. Even the fiercest competitors are bonded through the common trials they bear across a relentless anvil and in the scorching heat of the forge; often a mirror of the struggles we endure as humans. The AFA lost some of its giants this past year, all highly credentialed men who understood the brevity of life, and in knowing such, shared all they possibly could while they were here.

ALLEN SMITH ~ EDDIE WATSON ~ REGGIE KESTER

KEVIN FAHEY ~ JAMES ROONEY~ EDWARD MARTIN

Every t ime a hand comes from behind you, or you hear “hold it this way, heat it less, hear the ring when it hits the anvil”, or perhaps: “this is a piece of garbage…what were you thinking!” Remember you are in the presence of men and women genuinely making their best effort to help you; the AFA is largely volunteer-based—the only benefit of instruction and cor-rection is yours to grow from, yours to hone, and therefore, yours to pass on. The AFA is filled with living legends right now, men and women ready, willing, and able to help you any way they can. You can stand on their shoulders and have a farrier career they only dreamed of, because they plowed and seeded the ground for your dynamic future. Don’t let these great farriers pass your way without learning everything you can from them...

Susan Kayne

5

In Remembrance...

https://2010wecsv.theregistrationsystem.com/en/registration/index/336

From single item donations to our largest financial supporter, the AFA wishes to

express its deepest gratitude to each and every sponsor of its

38th Annual Convention in Chattanooga. Your support and commitment to

education through the AFA has enriched and equipped every farrier in attendance

with better knowledge and the opportunity to better serve the equine industry.

American Farrier's JournalAnvil Brand

Castle PlasticsCooper Hand ToolsD.L. Schwartz Co.

Delta Horseshoe CompanyDelta Mustad Hoofcare Center

Durasole Edward Martins Original Hoof Coating

Eastern Equine & Myron McLane ApronsEmpire Farrier Supply

EquicastEquilox International

FarnamFarrier Academics

John Blombach, CJF & Debora Ash, CFFarrier Industry Association

Farriers Depot, Inc.Five Star Horseshoeing School

GE Forge & ToolGrant Moon, CJF & Bob Pethick, CJFHarry Patton Horseshoeing Supplies

Horse ScienceiHorseshoe

Jim Linzy Memorial Education FundKen Davis & Sons, Inc

Loose Shoe EmbroideryMagic Cushion

Premiere Equine Health ProductsMonetta Farrier Specialties

MUSTADNC Tool Co, Inc.

Nordic Forge Inc.Northeast Farrier Supply

NTRARoy Bloom CJF - Bloom Forge

Roy Williams, CF & Don Gustafson, CJFTHORO’BRED

Werkman HorseshoesVector Horseshoe Nails

VettecVICTORY

Walt Taylor, CF & Myron McLane, CJFWSFA & Mike Chisham, CFYoder Blacksmith Supplies

Ken Davis & SonsCUSTOMER

APPRECIATION DAYSMARCH 27 & 28, 2009

CLINICIAN

Richard Becker CJF1-800-421-3109

KenDavis@Ken-Davis.com

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AMERICAN FARRIER'S ASSOCIATIONACHEIVEMENT AWARDS WINNERS

Walt Taylor AwardBruce Daniels, CJF

Jim Linzy Outstanding ClinicianBob Mederos, CJF

Outstanding EducatorRichard Becker, CJF

JournalismBob Bachen, CF

Wagon Mound Ranch Catalogue

Administration AwardThomas N. Trosin, CF

Edward Martin Humanitarian AwardDavid Crockett

Sharon Walker Association Newsletter Award

Texas Professional Farriers Association’sHammer & Tongs,

Editors: Jim & Kathleen Poor

North American Challenge CupSponsored by

Vector Horseshoe Nails

1st Billy Crothers AWCF 2nd Craig Trnka CJF3rd Travis Koons CJF

4th Billy Reed CJF 5th Grant Moon CJF, AWCF

6th Jake Engler CJF

Delta Mustad Specialty Forging Class

Sponsored by Delta Mustad Hoofcare Ctr

1st Jake Engler CJF 2nd Craig Trnka CJF 3rd Gene Lieser CJF

4th Grant Moon CJF, AWCF 5th Chris Madrid CF

6th Billy Crothers AWCF

Journeyman ClassSponsored by

Farrier Academics John Blombach CJF

& Debora Ash CF

1st Billy Reed CJF 2nd Timothy McPhee CJF 3rd Billy Crothers AWCF

4th Jake Engler CJF 5th Chris Madrid CF 6th Chris Overly CJF

Two-Person Draft Class

Sponsored by Durasole &

Edward Martin's Original Hoof Coating

TEAM DRAFT WINNERS PICTURED ABOVE:1st Travis Koons CJF & Timothy McPhee CJF

2nd Bob Allen CF & Mark Milster CJF 3rd Stephen Hendrickson CF & Mark Thorkildson CJF

4th Sarah Mary Brown DWCF & Paul Collins 5th Mitch Taylor CJF & Bryan Osborne CJF 6th Robert Slansky CJF & Ben Hupp CJF

NEW AMERICAN FARRIERS TEAM Left to Right: Team Manager Roy Bloom CJF Alternates Daniel Jones CJF & Brian Nelson CJF , 2009 AFT: Dusty Franklin CJF ~ Gene Lieser CJF Tim McPhee CJF & Team Captain Jake Engler CJF

“To be selected onto the Team is not just a couple of years of work, this is a long process of

developing skill, developing hammer control, developing your eye, the skill level is immense…the commitment of practice and travel requires 48 days by itself, we travel to Calgary for the World Championships and to England for an international competition, it’s a huge

commitment for an individual, a business and a family. It’s unbelievable who much you can learn in one year, it is the best

experience to see other country’s work, I have been on the AFT twice and I just

can’t let go, it’s addictive, and that’s why I stay on as the manager.”

Roy Bloom CJF AFT Manager

Vern Hornquist ClassSponsored by

Myron McLane, CJF & Walt Taylor, CF

BILLY LEWIS CJF(Pictured Right)

Reserve National High Point Award

Sponsored by FIA

JAKE ENGER CJF

National High Point Award Sponsored by

Grant Moon CJF, AWCF & Bob Pethick CJF

CRAIG TRNKA CJF (Pictured Right)

Overall High Point Award

Sponsored byWSFA

California Classic & Mike Chisham CF

CRAIG TRNKA CJF

2009 NATIONAL FORGING & HORSESHOEING COMPETITION RESULTS

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KIM SIMMONS & TPFADOUG WORKMAN CJF & GPFA provided all of the manual labor to set-up and move Convention items from one place to another.

THOMAS GABEL CJF patiently serves as the Secretary of the AFA; he is responsible for recording the many minutes of the EC and Board of

Directors Meetings.

TESTERS & EXAMINERS are volunteers in the AFA

Certification Program. This is often a thankless task for the

greater education of farriers. Certification tests are

demanding and exacting, they represent a high level of skill in farriery to those

who earn a passing score.

ERIC NYGAARD CJF works tirelessly with Greg Johnson year-round to synchronize all of the varied parts of the Convention.

Eric worked night & day preparing a beautiful celebration of past AFA President Allen Smith’s life and times presented at the Wednesday Night Jam.

JEFF RODRIGUEZ CJF is the man behind every man and woman at the podium, he researches and solicits speakers to bring members the best hoof care know-how.

DON GUSTAFSON CJF handles the very tedious task of accounting for the annual elections, he is instrumental in preparing the ballots and counting votes one-by-one for each candidate. Just before Chattanooga,Don flew from his home in California to Closeburn, Scotland graciously carrying the condolences of the AFA’s members tothe family of Edward Martin at our beloved mentor’s funeral on February 23, 2009.

MYRON McLANE CJF (right) chairs the Rules Committee which oversees the Horseshoeing & Forging Competition. Myron is the key administrator of this globally attended contest, he and the members of the Rules Committee are responsible for its governance, classes and shoes,

setting the floor plan, securing judges and literally everything connected with the Contest.

GREG JOHNSON CF leads the Convention Coordinating Committee which works year-round

on each of our annual events. Greg orchestrates all facets of the

Convention to deliver AFA members the best environment for learning, networking, competition

and unparalleled education. L to R: Andrew Elsbree, Susan Kayne, Greg Johnson

THE OFFICE STAFFhas their hands full with the

day-to-day duties of the AFA. Leading up to, and through the Convention Rachel Heighton, Ashley Luster and Erika Balke go into overdrive organizing

everybody who is organizing the Convention!

This is a monumental challenge as their Office is boxed and relocated to the

Convention Site. It often makes for hair-pulling days --- but the girls make it look easy and bring each attendee a warm smile.

Behind the scenes …. “This Convention has been years in the making and has countless hours of manpower invested in it to coordinate all it offers. Every seminar, speaker, MarketPlace vendor, event, demonstration and competition class began with a pen and pad in the hand of a volunteer whose career was launched and morale supported through the benefits he or she received from the AFA.” ~ Andrew Elsbree, CJF, Immediate Past President

L to R: Erika, Rachel, Ashley

CANDIDATE DANIELA STEINBACH (L) & TESTER JOHNNIE WARNER III CJF (R)

Jeff Rodriguez CJF (L) &Eric Nygaard CJF (R)

TIM DODD CJF (left) serves as “the FireMan” for the Competition making sure our use of propane is safe and secure. No forge is lit prior to Tim’s full inspection.

HTTP://WWW.VIBRAM.US

HTTP://WWW.MUSTADINC.COM

PRESIDENT: Dick Fanguy CJF

PRESIDENT-ELECT: Eric Nygaard CJF

TREASURER: John Blombach CJF

SECRETARY: Thomas Gabel CJF

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Andrew Elsbree CJF

NFNH Newsletter Production:

Created @ rockin'horse productions NY

Editor: Susan Kayne

Assistant Editor: Rachel Carter

Graphic Artist: Kevin Elsbree

Photos: Bob Garner, Christine Gabel,

Susan Kayne, Andrew Elsbree CJF

Editorial Review Team:

Steve Davis CF, Dave Farley CF,

Jack Millman CJF and Bill Searle CJF

AFA Publications Committee:

Pat Gallahan CJF, Jerry Pulaski CF,

Andy McConnell CF and Steve Sermersheim CJF

Officers of the American Farriers Association

Plan ahead for Portland...

AFA OFFICERS & CHAPTER PRESIDENTS ~ CHATTANOOGA 2009

SEE CONVENTION PHOTOSON FLICKR:Http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfnh