From 1915 to 1981, Illinois was I believe the first of only two or three states to have a licensing requirement for farriers. One of the requirements for a license was having completed a 3-year apprenticeship. Most farriers I spoke with who were affected by the licensing law had nothing good to say about it. They felt that it was unfairly applied and discriminatory. If you were friends with the examiner and/or they needed more farriers at that time, you had a much easier time of passing the test and being licensed than if you were not friends with the examiner or if they did not need more farriers — no matter how good you were.
Farrier licensing adopted in the United Kingdom 30 years ago boosted the careers of shoers there, according to Simon Curtis, a prominent U.K. farrier who often speaks at conferences and clinics in the United States.
Spot check of reaction to AFA survey plan finds university-based farrier programs endorse the effort, while private schools will open their doors, sometimes warily
There are more than 60 horseshoeing schools in the U.S. and Canada, so it would be risky to predict their general reaction to the planned American Farrier's Association survey based on the comments of a few. Just as telling, perhaps, is that several smaller schools did not return phone calls requesting their opinion on the subject.
DURING THE American Farrier’s Association annual convention in Chattanooga, Tenn., in late February, members re-elected Bob Earle of Chino Valley, Ariz., as vice president and Walt Taylor of Albuquerque, N.M., as treasurer.
Dedicating a portion of the American Farrier’s Association convention to horse owners was apparently a good move, as record-breaking numbers attended the event in Chattanooga, Tenn., during late February.
American Farrier’s Association proposal eyes minimum curriculum standards and could grow to uniform testing for new farriers, registration for all horseshoers
Pointing to a need for increased professionalism and catching its own board of directors by surprise, the Executive Committee of the American Farrier’s Association and a task force it quietly created have proposed standardized education, testing and registration of farriers nationwide.
Late in 2003, I began my journey into the exciting world of horseshoeing. The school I chose to attend was a very reputable one, that offered 2-, 12- and 16-week courses. I chose the 16-week course, thinking that would be plenty of time to learn everything there is to know about horseshoeing.
WHILE SERVING FARRIERS for many years from its Burlington, Wis., location, Centaur Forge recently expanded with the opening of a branch in New Braunfels, Texas.
The American Farriers Association dedicated a big part of its 33rd annual convention to honoring a visitor from overseas, as guest of honor and legendary Scottish farrier Edward Martin returned to the event for the first time in several years.
Greg Martin, CJF, of Boerne, Texas, takes the unique approach of marketing his hoof-care practice with a Christmas parade float in Boerne and Comfort, Texas. The award-winning float boasts a variety of surprising features.
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