Revised Therapeutic Certification Program Is Gaining Steam

WITH MORE THAN 25 Certified Journeyman Farriers having requested the new study guide for the American Farrier’s Association therapeutic certification program, the recently reinstated program appears to be gaining momentum.
 
Earlier this year, Jeff Ridley of Leighton, Iowa, became the second farrier to qualify for the therapeutic endorsement. The only other farrier to receive this endorsement is David Ferguson of Cambridge, Md., who qualified in 1996.
 
Under the direction of committee chairman Mike Miller of Huntsville, Ala., the program is designed to recognize farriers with outstanding therapeutic shoeing skills. Other therapeutic endorsement committee members include equine veterinarian Christine Martin and Chris Gregory, who operates the Heartland Horseshoeing School at Lamar, Mo.
 
To qualify for the therapeutic endorsement, a farrier must successfully complete four portions of the program. These include putting together a therapeutic shoeing board, taking a written exam that deals with common problems and topics that a farrier doing therapeutic shoeing would be familiar with, passing a practical exam where a handmade shoe has to be made for a specific therapeutic purpose and presenting several therapeutic case studies in an oral evaluation by committee members.
 
To receive more information on the therapeutic endorsement certification program or to obtain a study guide, call Chris Gregory at (417) 682-6896.
 
OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS...
 
Cornell University farrier Mike Wildenstein recently qualified as a fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers in England. He turned in one of the top four highest scores ever in passing this in-depth examination.
 
Tab Pigg of Azle, Texas, has been named southern regional sales manager for Vettec. He will work with shoeing shops and farriers in eight states and do clinics for the firm that markets Equi-Thane hoof adhesives and packing materials.
 
Several new hoof-related hoof research projects have recently been funded by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. Rustin Moore at Louisiana State University has received a 1-year grant of $53,430 to look at the key factors causing laminitis. Robert Bowker at Michigan State University has received $32,100 for a study on new relevations in hoof grown and development. Stephen Lewis at the University of Georgia has received $29,000 to study the impact of changes in the small arteries of the foot on laminitis. 
 
 Research projects funded for the second year include $42,790 to Philip Johnson at the University of Missouri for an evaluation of the role of Streptococcus bovis exotoxins in equine laminitis and John Peroni at the University of Georgia who received $20,989 for an evaluation of functional analysis of the equine laminar artery.
 
Several well-known farriers have recently passed away. Robert Reaume was a member of the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame and operated the Wolverine Farrier School at Howell, Mich., for many years; Justin Mischka of Whitewater, Wis.; Steven Hayes of Greenwood Mo.; and Chris Davenport, a farrier from Calgary, Alberta, who was part of the team that puts on the World Championship Blacksmiths’ Competition at the Calgary Stampede. 
 
Bill Streaker of West Friendship, Md., was recently honored for an outstanding career in the equine industry by the Maryland Horse Council. While previous recipients include trainers, veterinarians and tack shop owners, this is the first time that a farrier has received this award.
 
Horseshoes worn by show jumpers that have represented the United States in international competitions are being requested for a glass sculpture that will be auctioned off to benefit the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) at next February’s Denim and Diamonds Gala in Wellington, Fla., The shoes will be cast into a glass sculpture that will be designed and created by noted New Jersey equine artist Mary Beth. 
 
 Shoes can be sent to the Glass Horse Studio, 120 Warbasse Junction Rd., Lafayette, NJ 07848. For more information, contact her at (973) 383- 0038 or Gary Jaworski at the USET at (908) 234-2251, extension 17.