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 fellowship 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.”
Walt Taylor CF & Myron McLane CJF Chattanooga, TN
WHAT’S INSIDE 2: Editor’s Letter 3: President’s Letter 4: AFA Chapters & Election Results
For students and newer farriers, the AFA is a window of communication that connects them to dynamic learning 5: In Remembrance opportunities and support, as well as an understanding of the higher level of proficiency being a Certified Farrier ~Edward Martin entails. As Walt Taylor himself reveals, “I have grown immeasurably just because I have had a chance to share ~Allen Smith ~Dr. Rooney with people of kindred spirits.” This humble, yet determined attitude summarizes the feeling the convention pro~Kevin Fahey vides with its commitment to education. Students are welcomed and treated with respect as the faces of AFA’s ~Reggie Kester next generation. “We were all young once, all soldiers, and all starting out. They don’t have to go back and plow ~Eddie Watson 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) 6: Cultural Exchange 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
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
The AFA is represented by 51 Chapters throughout North Americ a stretching from Alaska and Ontario to Florida. Year-round, Chapters hold their own “mini” Conventions for members in the form of educ ational 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 pic tures, shoe displays, newsletters and memorabilia that defines the spirit of each Chapter’s members. This year Mic higan featured photos celebrating its 40t h year, Texas presented a spectacular shoe board (pic tured below) along with copies of their award-winning newsletter, South Western Ohio Farrier’s Assoc iation display shoc ked 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 c reate an unforgettable 38t h Annual American Farrier’s Association Convention in Chattanooga, TN. To find a Chapter near you and participate in ac tivities to help your c areer c ontact the AFA Office by phone at 859.233.7411 or email: Info@Americ anFarriers.ORG 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 Congratulations to Texas Professional Farriers Association on winning the Sharon Walker Association Newsletter Award with Hammer & Tongs edited by Kathleen & Jim Poor
Region 5: Jack Millman CJF & Jock Owings CJF
In the Janu ary 2009 issue of NFNH in the article entitle d "Foal Hoof C are Fact S heet" on page s 10 and 11, appe are d with no copyright information. The following caption should have been adde d: “ Copyright © 2004, Karl Douglas Butle r, Jr., Doug Butler Enterprise s, Inc., The P rinciple s of Horse shoeing (P3) is the ultimate book on horse foot care for farriers, veterinarians, and horse owne rs featuring ove r 2,350 illustrations. Learn more at: www.DougButle r.com
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In Remembrance ... The most precious gift of our time 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 time 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 correction 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
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AMERICAN FARRIER'S ASSOCIATION ACHEIVEMENT AWARDS WINNERS Walt Taylor Award Bruce Daniels, CJF Jim Linzy Outstanding Clinician Bob Mederos, CJF Outstanding Educator Richard Becker, CJF Journalism Bob Bachen, CF Wagon Mound Ranch Catalogue Administration Award Thomas N. Trosin, CF Edward Martin Humanitarian Award David Crockett Sharon Walker Association Newsletter Award Texas Professional Farriers Association’s Hammer & Tongs, Editors: Jim & Kathleen Poor
Ken Davis & Sons CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAYS MARCH 27 & 28, 2009 CLINICIAN
Richard Becker CJF 1-800-421-3109 KenDavis@Ken-Davis.com
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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 Journal Anvil Brand Castle Plastics Cooper Hand Tools D.L. Schwartz Co. Delta Horseshoe Company Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center Durasole Edward Martins Original Hoof Coating Eastern Equine & Myron McLane Aprons Empire Farrier Supply Equicast Equilox International Farnam Farrier Academics John Blombach, CJF & Debora Ash, CF Farrier Industry Association Farriers Depot, Inc. Five Star Horseshoeing School GE Forge & Tool Grant Moon, CJF & Bob Pethick, CJF Harry Patton Horseshoeing Supplies Horse Science iHorseshoe Jim Linzy Memorial Education Fund Ken Davis & Sons, Inc Loose Shoe Embroidery Magic Cushion Premiere Equine Health Products Monetta Farrier Specialties MUSTAD NC Tool Co, Inc. Nordic Forge Inc. Northeast Farrier Supply NTRA Roy Bloom CJF - Bloom Forge Roy Williams, CF & Don Gustafson, CJF THORO’BRED Werkman Horseshoes Vector Horseshoe Nails Vettec VICTORY Walt Taylor, CF & Myron McLane, CJF WSFA & Mike Chisham, CF Yoder Blacksmith Supplies
2009 NATIONAL F ORGING & HORSESHOEING COMPETITION RESULTS Vern Hornquist Class Sponsored by Myron McLane, CJF & Walt Taylor, CF BILLY LEWIS CJF (Pictured Right) Reserve National High Point Award Sponsored by FIA
North American Challenge Cup Sponsored by Vector Horseshoe Nails 1st Billy Crothers AWCF 2nd Craig Trnka CJF 3rd Travis Koons CJF 4th Billy Reed CJF 5th Grant Moon CJF, AWCF 6th Jake Engler CJF
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 by WSFA California Classic & Mike Chisham CF CRAIG TRNKA 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.”
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 Class Sponsored 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
Roy Bloom CJF AFT Manager
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
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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 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.
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
L to R: Andrew Elsbree, Susan Kayne, Greg Johnson
THE OFFICE STAFF has 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 L to R: Erika, Rachel, Ashley 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.
CANDIDATE DANIELA STEINBACH (L) & TESTER JOHNNIE WARNER III CJF (R)
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 Jeff Rodriguez CJF (L) & behind every man and woman at the Eric Nygaard CJF (R) 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 to the 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.
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. KIM SIMMONS & TPFA DOUG WORKMAN CJF & GPFA provided all of the manual labor to set-up and move Convention items from one place to another.
AFA OFFICERS & CHAPTER PRESIDENTS ~ CHATTANOOGA 2009
Officers of the American Farriers Association 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,
SEE CONVENTION PHOTOS ON FLICKR: Http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfnh
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
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