AFTER A SURGE of controversy about its proposals on standardized farrier education and registration, the American Farrier’s Association has dismissed the original members of the Education/Registration Task Force who developed the plan and started looking for new members from inside and outside the AFA.

AFA President Craig Trnka will select the new members and intends to be “as inclusive as possible” in gaining representation from the farrier industry, according to AFA Executive Director Bryan Quinsey. He adds that the group, now called the Farrier School Survey Task Force, will be limited to working on a previously approved survey of North American farrier schools.

“To eliminate any suggestions that this new task force is working in ‘secrecy’ or behind closed doors, Craig (Trnka) has decided to solicit input from both AFA members and non-members,” Quincy says. “All persons, including non-farriers (veterinarians, horse owners, educators, suppliers, etc.) are welcome to volunteer to serve on this task force.”

Broader Membership, Narrower Focus

The AFA says anyone interested in serving should contact the AFA office. The AFA invited the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association, the Guild of Professional Farriers and unnamed others within the industry to join the revamped task force.

Ralph Casey, president of the BWFA, told American Farriers Journal he will accept the AFA’s invitation. Henry Heymering, president of the Guild, declined the invitation. The AFA, BWFA and Guild are the three nationwide farrier organizations.

Quinsey notes that the newly appointed task force with its narrow focus is in accordance with a…