Why Use and AFA Certified Farrier?
Proper
care of your horse’s hooves form the most fundamental part of good
horsemanship. Without strong, healthy feet, there’s not much your
horse can do! That’s why regular visits from a farrier - every six
weeks, more often for very young horses - are an essential part of
your horse care routine.
Why can’t I trim my own horse’s feet?
In
the US, unlike many other countries, there are no laws to prevent you
from trimming your own horse’s feet, but common sense should tell
you it’s not a good choice. The shape of the hoof affects your
horse’s soundness, movement, and comfort, and poorly shaped feet
can leave a horse open to serious conditions like soft tissue
injuries, a hoof and wall separation, or even laminitis.
You may think you know what a properly shaped hoof looks like, but crafting that with a rasp is a totally different matter. Not to mention that you want every experience your horse has with trimming to be a positive one - and professional farriers are best placed to help you manage your horse’s patience and manners for trimming and shoeing. Of course, if your horse needs shoes, then it should be obvious that you need a professional - with bad shoeing you can do a lot of damage in a very short time.
Preventative care
You
should also think of your farrier visits as a health check up for
your horse. Professional farriers are trained in anatomy, and they
see a lot of horses and hooves. If your horse is starting to develop
problems - especially if your horse is young and still growing - your
farrier is the one most likely to spot it soon and help you prevent
any further deterioration. Many chronic or nutritional deficiencies
are visible in hoof health; your farrier may be able to recognize
these and alert you when your horse needs supplements or a change of
diet, or even a visit from your vet.
Why the AFA?
The
AFA certification process is a very rigorous route to becoming a
professional farrier. Choosing an AFA certified professional means
that - as a minimum - your farrier has been trained and tested in
anatomy, hoof and leg health, types of trims and shoes and how and
when to use them. They will have demonstrated patience and skill in
horse handling, and will have demonstrated their skill to earn their
certification. The AFA can also help you find specialist farriers.
You can find Journeyman farrier, the highest level of certification,
or even a Journeyman farrier who has been certified as a therapeutic
farriery specialist. Certified farriers will also keep up with the
latest research and innovations in farriery, so you can be certain
that your AFA certified farrier is giving your horse the best
possible hoof care.
How do I find an AFA Certified farrier? It’s simple - visit www.americanfarriers.org, where you can find a directory of AFA certified farriers at every level. You can search and locate a farrier in your region, with the levels of certification or specialisms you need.
When you have found your farrier, take steps to keep him or her. Treat your farrier well - be on time for appointments, with your horse in from the pasture, clean, and ready to go. If at all possible, prepare a dry, covered, well-lit area for them to work, on flat ground. Work with your farrier to teach your horse to stand quietly for trimming and shoeing, and teach your horse to walk and trot in hand so your farrier can easily observe his movement. Pay your bills on time, and listen to their advice. If you have questions, ask your farrier - all farriers are happy to explain their strategies for your horse’s hoof care. It may go without saying, but never, ever let your horse bite or nibble your farrier. Remember that like your instructor or your vet, your farrier is a highly trained and qualified professional, and you want to develop and keep a positive, long term relationship with them.