AFA Launches Race Plater Certification
The American Farrier’s Association (AFA) debuted the Certified Race Plater (CRP) exam at a recent Texas Professional Farriers Association (TPFA) certification.
“We wanted a seat at the table,” says Kentucky race plater Pat Broadus, who built off of Oklahoma race plater Tom Trosin’s efforts to ensure the execution of the CRP designation. “It’s a very good time for us to stand together and say, ‘this is what we want.’”
Certifications for race platers vary across state lines, and there’s no guarantee that one state will honor another’s license. Some tests are outdated, modified inconsistently or simply not given, says Broadus, who also saw a problem with onsite farriers — effectively his competitors — administering tests.
“If we don’t come up with a test first and have control over our destiny, somebody else who’s not a race plater and doesn’t understand the game is going to come up with a test,” Broadus says. “And I hope all farriers realize that this is just as important to them as it is to race platers.”
He likens it to the dentistry and human podiatry industries, which regulated themselves to avoid government oversight.
“Track farriers are the first in our industry to experience government regulation in the form of the acting authority, HISA [Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority],” says Martha Jones, executive director of the AFA, in its newsletter. “And no matter what side of the fence you fall on as it relates to regulation of our industry, we have to always be aware of, and help farriers plan for, what could be coming down the pike.”
Broadus has been shoeing racehorses and has held a license for nearly 35 years, and during that time, crafting a race plater certification was always the goal. Though, he says that even 15 years ago, this likely wouldn’t have been possible.
“I went to Hank Chisholm about 3 years ago and asked, Am I stupid if we decide to do this?’” he recalls. “Hank said, ‘If you’re stupid enough to try it, I’m stupid enough to stand beside you.’”
The CRP subcommittee includes Broadus, Alabama farrier Daniel Jones, Georgia farrier Eric Gilleland, Indiana farrier Tim Byrne, Colorado farrier Brian Buckner and Washington farrier Brian Strelow. Collectively, they developed a test that Broadus says is appropriate for what race platers do daily. It’s designed for farriers just out of shoeing school or an apprenticeship, mimicking the Certified Farrier written test emphasizing anatomy, circulatory and pathology knowledge. It’s knowledge that Broadus says all farriers should know to shoe and communicate with clients better.
“I want farriers to have an avenue to be able to take a test and shoe at any racetrack,” he says.
Several countries interested in adopting the certification test have reached out to Broadus, which he says makes sense based on how frequently horses are moved around the world in the racing industry.
“It’s helpful for me to know that if I had a horse leave here and go to another country, there would be a list of race platers who had taken the test that I knew had a baseline knowledge,” he says. “I can have confidence that the farrier has the skill level to follow my prescription.”
Daniel Jones and Alan Larson, both AFA examiners, administered the first test at the TPFA certification. Broadus is now the AFA’s first Certified Race Plater and the first race plater to earn a Certified Journeyman Farrier designation.
“I wanted this for all race platers, not just for myself,” he says.
The test consists of a written portion on bones and joints, hoof structure, tendons and ligaments, blood circulation, pathology, horseshoes, conformation, gaits and physiology. Part two of the exam includes a practical examination, where farriers shoe a horse and make a straight bar shoe. More information on the content of the test can be found here.
Specific details can be found in the 2025 certification guide, which can be purchased on the AFA website or is free for members. The CRP examination is held at all AFA certifications.
Broadus also hosts a certified race plater discussion group on Facebook. There, farriers can ask questions about the test, how it came to be or inquire about becoming a tester or examiner.
On May 17, 2025, a pre-certification clinic targeted toward race platers will be at the Second Stride Thoroughbred adoption facility in Prospect, Ky., with the possibility of a future CRP exam at Second Stride. Join the certified race plater discussion group to learn more.
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