Volume 7, Issue 3 / October 2006

News from the American Farriers Association

At the AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting held in Albuquerque, NM on September 9th, the AFA announced and the Board approved a Chapter Liability Policy provided by CNA Insurance. The Chapter Liability policy applies to all current AFA Chapters, its officers and members acting in an official capacity. There is no limit on the number of Chapter events, however, for an event to be covered, it must be sponsored by the VHA. No prior approval or notification is required of the AFA or CNA Insurance for a Chapter event.

This program is a must for any Chapter and will allow the VHA to discontinue their current Liability Policy which required advanced notification and a limited number of Chapter events.

The AFA will cover the cost of the Chapter Liability insurance for 2006. Starting in 2007, AFA Chapters will have their dues increased from $105.00 to $350.00 to cover the cost of the insurance. In an effort to avoid passing the dues increase onto the VHA membership, and as a result of delays in receiving the Loose Shoe magazine, the VHA BOD voted on October 4th to not renew VHA members subscriptions to the magazine. Members wishing to continue their subscription to the Loose Shoe should contact Andy or Melinda McConnell at (817)599-0399.

The Vermont Farriers Association, the Arkansas Horseshoeing Association, and World Championship Blacksmiths, LLC, were approved as AFA Chapters at the AFA BOD meeting. With the addition of these Chapters, AFA Chapter membership is now at 56.

During the AFA BOD meeting, the BOD voted on a proposal to reduce the size of the BOD from 60 members to a more manageable number. The proposal called for a restructuring of the Board into 5 regions with 3 representatives per region. 23 votes were received with 16 opposing the reduction. Thus, the proposal did not pass failing to meet the 2/3 majority. It is probable that the BOD reduction proposal will be presented again at the BOD meeting planned during the 2007 AFA Convention.

The AFA has announced on their website that Ink & Anvil will no longer be producing the Professional Farrier. Sebastian Publishing, which is also the publisher of ABANA's Anvil's Ring, is finalizing articles and advertising for Professional Farrier and expects little or no delay in the magazine reaching the membership.

Bruce Pfaff Injury & VHA Accident/Illness Program

The VHA has received an Accident/Illness claim on behalf of participating member Bruce Pfaff. The distribution of the funds currently in the VHA Accident/Illness program will be made at the conclusion of the 30 day waiting period. Bruce is currently in Inova Fairfax Hospital and is recovering from broken ribs, a ruptured speen, and injuries to his frontal lobe and spinal cord. Thankfully, Bruce has experienced no paralysis but unfortunately remains in a coma. The cause of his injuries are speculated to be due to a horse falling on him during a ride.

I spoke with Gail Pfaff (Bruce's wife) recently and she indicated that Bruce has a disability policy that requires the insured be out of work for 60 days prior to a policy distribution. Once the 60 day waiting period has been met, another 30 days will pass before a distribution is received. Gail also indicated that she has been instructed to proceed with processing the necessary paperwork to apply for Social Security and Medicaid benefits. Gail indicated that recovery from these injuries could take some time and she wanted me to thank each of you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

The VHA recognizes that many members have been assisting the Pfaff's during Bruce's recovery but would like to issue a challenge to each member to shoe at least 1 horse for Bruce and send the proceeds to Gail. Additionally, the VHA will be having an auction during the Year End meeting and if you would like to donate something and have the proceeds go to the Pfaff's, please contact Connie Hockaday.

As a result of the claim by Bruce, the VHA is conducting an Open Enrollment for the Accident/Illness program. The Open Enrollment period will expire on November 24th. All funds received during the Open Enrollment period will be retained until a new claim is received and approved. Included in this newsletter is an Open Enrollment Application. Please take a few moments and enroll now!

VHA & Augusta County Fair Forging Competition

The annual VHA Forging Competition was held during the Augusta County Fair on August 12th in Fishersville, VA. AFA CJF Bob Mederos from Brentwood, CA was our Judge this year and was very impressed with the quality of the forge work that went into making the competition shoes. The weather was very cooperative and the Fair Grounds personnel provided tents to allow the participants to be sheltered from the sun.

This year the contest offered the contestants the opportunity to show off their forging creativity with the first class of the contest. The Division 1 (Novice/Keg Shoe) contestants had to make a hoof pick from * a horseshoe and were judged on style, creativity and functional use. The Division II (Intermediate/Handmade) contestants had to make a pritchel from 10" of coil spring and were also judged on style and functional use. The Division III (Open/Advanced Handmade) contestants had to make a horseshoe of their choosing from an old rasp. The contestants had to complete their creative masterpiece in 30 minutes. Some really terrific items were turned in for judging and everybody really enjoyed the challenge.

The remainder of the classes for the Division I contestants called for a Pair of Hind Shoes with Square Toes, Trailers and Quarter Clips; a Pair of Front Straight Bar Shoes, deep seated with a Rolled Toe and a Pair of Hind Shoes with Blocked heel caulks.

The classes for the Division II contestants required a Pair of Front Shoes, plain stamped with toe clips as well as a Pair of hind shoes plain stamped with quarter clips; a Pair of concave straight bar shoes with toe clips and a pair of aluminum shoes with side clips.

In addition to the creative forging, the Division III contestants had to make a pair of Preventer hind shoes with toe clips and lateral side clips; a Pair of Whip across bar shoes with lateral blocked heel caulks, trailered, with square toes and quarter clips and of course, the always popular 2 person pair of Front Draft Shoes with scotched heel caulks and toe clips.

The Draft class always promises to be the most popular event and this year was no different. The spectators were very impressed with the skill, power, determination and coordination that was required to forge 18 * * of steel into a functional pair of Draft shoes. Jennifer and Russ Hite had such a great time winning the class last year that they decided late in the day to participate again this year. Even without the practice, they still won second place.

The competition demonstrated the skill and talent possessed by the contestants and this was evident by the tie for Champion and Reserve Champion in Divisions II and III. A tiebreak was required between Bryan Osborne and Chuck Jones for Division II and Corey Minnick and Ben Pittman for Division III. After the tiebreaks were judged, the Champions were decided. The Champion and Reserve Champion for Division III were Corey Minnick and Ben Pittman respectively. The Division II Champion was Bryan Osborne and Chuck Jones was awarded Reserve Champion while the Division I Champion was David Bell with Reserve Champion honors going to Thomas Morgan.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the efforts and sacrifice of Judy and Mike Spitzer who arranged and coordinated this entire event. The VHA appreciates their commitment to the Association and the Farrier Industry. The VHA would also like to recognize Buddy Aprons for sponsoring the Champion Belt Buckles for each Division. The VHA would also like to thank Scott Collier for providing the bar stock for Divisions II and III and Five Star Forge for providing the Keg Shoes for Division I. Finally, the VHA would like to thank vendors Buddy Aprons and Five Star Forge for setting up during the contest.

How's Your Back? Prescription for Prevention

While keeping fit for the heat is something we can begin to forget for now, taking care of your back should always be on your mind. Your spine is the central pole of your skeletal structure and the protective casing for the bundle of nerves called the spinal cord. Be sure to give it proper care and protection.

Danny Ward, 6'8" Master of The Eastern School of Farriery in Martinsville, VA says: "use your legs, don't use your back. If we can lower our center of gravity by using our legs then our back does less of the work and is far less likely to be injured. Develop your quadriceps to save your back."

Of course, this involves exercise. You can develop your legs by placing your back against a wall and sliding down to a sitting position and holding it for a certain period of time, increasing that time as you grow stronger. It may also be wise to work out in a gym, and use the leg machine that will focus on the development of the thigh and quadriceps muscle.

In addition to this, make sure that you keep the stomach in shape with sit-ups. Strong stomach muscles also help prevent back injury. When doing sit-ups, always try to keep your knees bent to avoid straining the back in the process. Try to get in a few leg-lifts while you're at it to work those lower stomach muscles. If you work out at a gym, look for equipment specifically designed to strengthen torso muscles. If you have your own weights, exercise with a weight in one hand hanging at your side and your other hand on your head as you lean to and away from that side (as if picking up a suitcase) focusing on the side muscles of your torso.

It is also helpful to regularly stretch the back muscles before and after you work. Flexible muscles are far less likely to be strained or injured. A little time spent on prevention goes a long way towards avoiding time (and money!) spent on recovery. As always, consult your doctor when an injury occurs. Just like our adage: no hoof, no horse - it's also true: no back, no farrier!

AFA Membership & Certification

Did you know that 66% of the VHA membership are also members of the AFA? Did you know that 47% of the VHA membership is certified through the AFA? Furthermore, did you know that of the 47% certified, 20% are Certified Journeyman Farriers?

Certification, education, research, and communication projects promoted and administered by the AFA are designed to help farriers provide improved service to horses and horseowners.

Are You a Farrier?

Do you practice the art of farriery?
You do if you perform "The art of preventing, curing or mitigating diseases of horses and cattle, the veterinary art"
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1996

So, are you a farrier? Certified or not, if you have knowledge, skill and experience in the the art of farriery and shoe horses for a living, you are a farrier. Know your skill level, stick to it, work with others to improve or increase it and above all else, stay committed to your trade. Attend seminars, clinics, meetings and contests. Each of these events will allow you the opportunity to increase your knowledge, broaden your outlook and viewpoint and meet those who can help you become a better farrier. Investigate new ideas and techniques, maybe it will help you, maybe not, but at least you tried. You are truly a very important and necessary provider for the horses health, soundness and well being.

Have You Heard This Lately?

That's not how they did it on that horseshoeing shoe.
If he didn't kick like that, I'd trim him myself.
I can't believe he bit you, he never does that!
Did that hurt?
I know he is hard to shoe, but he is so good on the trails.
Now that you finished the trim, can we go ahead and put front shoes on also?
My last farrier wouldn't do the horse, they gave me your number.
You sure earned your money on that one!
It doesn't look like he is leaning to me.
I don't know why the shoes didn't stay on, it's only been 12 weeks.

Back to Hammer & Tongs!