How Good is Your Horse Shoer?
October 17, 2008
Certified journeyman farriers undergo rigorous schooling.
Test your knowledge
Take a look at this shod hoof.
Looks pretty good, right?
That’s until examiner Dusty Franklin, American Farrier’s Association certified journeyman farrier, goes over it with his eagle eye.
Here’s how he’d evaluate the nail clinches on this foot:
- “The toe nail looks pretty good. It’s good and square, and it’s in line with the tubules of the foot.”
- “The second clinch has a ragged edge. The back part of it has been rasped off, and the front hasn’t, and it’s a lot longer than the first clinch.”
- “The third one, you see where the hoof wall has been pulled down when (the farrier) clinched it? He over-clinched it.”
But it’s not all bad, Dusty allows.
“Some positive things – the nail pattern is good and parallel. The nails are one-third of the way up the hoof like they’re supposed to be. And the third nail is in front of the widest part of the foot.”
These clinches would garner a score of 6, out of a possible 10 points. Seven is considered an average score.
Visit AFA’s Web site to find a certified farrier near you.
Learn more ways to spot good horse shoeing techniques. Plus, arm yourself with knowledge to prevent horse hoof problems like white line disease, founder and cracks. Get AQHA’s Equine Hoof Health report today.
Why farrier certification matters to horse owners
Although there has long been talk of licensing, there are currently no regulations in the farrier industry, other than voluntary programs like those offered by the American Farrier’s Association. Anyone – even someone with precious little training – can hang out a shingle as a farrier. The AFA certification levels provide benchmarks of a farrier’s training and skill level.
“It should give the horse owner a little bit more of a comfort level in knowing that the farrier you are calling has put forth the effort to pass a voluntary certification to be better at his trade,” said Dusty Franklin, certified journeyman farrier.
“A lot of horse owners have probably not heard of the American Farrier’s Association, let alone know what a certified farrier is or what they can do for them,” said John Voigt, CJF and chairman of the AFA’s certification committee. “Right now, one of our goals in the AFA is horse owner awareness. The office is starting to get a number of calls, usually from people who have had a certified farrier they are real happy with and they are moving three or four states away. They want to know where they can find a certified farrier in (their new state).”
Got a horse who’s less than polite to the farrier? AQHA’s Equine Hoof Health report helps you teach your horse to pick up his feet and tolerate the shoeing process. Plus, learn all about good hoof health and ways to prevent painful problems that could lead to serious lameness.
Wanted: Horse Treat Recipes
The American Quarter Horse Journal wants to know your recipes for homemade horsey snacks. Send your name, address and horse treat recipe to Tonya Ratliff-Garrison, and it might be featured in an upcoming issue of the Journal!
Comments
14 Comments on “How Good is Your Horse Shoer?”
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October 26th, 2008 at 10:11 am
DO YOU HAVE ANY BOOKS OR MAGIZINE ON SHOEING? PLEASE
LET ME KNOW.
THANK YOU
SKIP
October 29th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Hi, Skip.
Quarter Horse Outfitters has several great books on general horse care that delve into shoeing and hoof care. Outfitters sells “Well-Shod,” http://www.quarterhorseoutfitters.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=00100410002&Category_Code=QHO_GENERALINTEREST&Store_Code=QHO, which might be just what you’re looking for. Also take a look at “Equine Hoof Care” http://www.quarterhorseoutfitters.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1652&Category_Code=QHO_GENERALINTEREST&Store_Code=QHO, which discusses a variety of shoeing topics.
Best wishes, and holler back with feedback on the resources you choose.
Jody Reynolds, AQHA Internet Editor
October 30th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Based on personal experience and thousands of dollars spent in vet bills, using an AFA certified farrier means NOTHING. I attempted to lodge a complaint with the AFA and they told me that they could not and would not back any of their farriers or would they disipline them for any complaints issued toward them. They don’t RECOMMEND farriers only list them on their websites. I used an AFA JOURNYMAN farrier and he lamed my horses, destroyed one horses training for standing for the farrier. My horse was off training for eight months because of this farrier. In my opinion and experience, the AFA is not a crediable organization and their training for farriers is of poor quality. It is a good old boys club that anyone can join if they pay a fee to them.
November 1st, 2008 at 3:46 pm
October 7th I had a so called horse farrier come to trim my
two mares, long story short he fiercly damaged the one and pulled
his weapon and shot my other mare because the horse broke her
leg. My question is why should’nt horse farriers have a license and pay
monthly, quarterly or annual dues to keep their license and take continue
education courses. The man claimed he was an license farrier and he wasnt. It’s in court pending now. I spoke to the president of AFA, he said he was sorry this happen and could’nt give me an answer. Thanks
Melissa
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I support state licensure for practicing Farriers with supporting continuing education.
I also strongly believe that before a Farrier can be licensed that they complete a 4 year BS in Farrier Science from their State’s Land Grant University.
It is *that* important.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
How can the nails be the most importante thing to the hooves?
What about the founder ridges on the hoof and the long toe. The lack of the lateral cartlidge looks a little bit like a sinker.
Helena
February 24th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
First off I feel for the people who encountered problems with their farrier. One needs to remember there are no licensed farriers. There are those that are certified by different organizations bound by the rules of certification within that organization. Licensing will not weed out bad farriers. One has to look no further than the veternarian field to realize this. I am a farrier and some of the vets don’t have a clue when it comes to hoof health and they are degreed. The only tool we have to find a competent farrier is referrals. I encourage my new clients to check my referrals. I wish there was a sure fire way to weed out bad farriers but there just isn’t. So when using a new farrier ask for referrals and check them out. If they say they are AFA, BWFA or Guild certified call these organizations and they will be glad to check this out for you. I know of some who say they are certified but aren’t. I hope this helps.
Wayne
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:59 am
Every hoof on every horse is different. What is funny is that too many horse owners think they know more about shoeing a horse than their farrier. In the business world people make mistakes every day and can cough it up as a lesson learned. But farriers are not given the same courtesy. Every farrier that has shod many horses has drove a “hot” nail and lamed a horse. Many times they are nailing into a moving target, but it is never the horse’s fault! If you want every farrier to go through a rigorous licensing process that is fine but you better be willing to get your checkbook ready because they will have to charge more!
And the shoeing job on the horse looks good (it doesn’t have a long toe). The angle on this hoof follows the same angle as the pastern like it is supposed to be. You could make it prettier with a sandpaper block (that would take out the rings Helena) but the horse would never know the difference.
September 6th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Very well said seth! Thank you, you took the words right out of my mouth. We farriers dont have time to be taking classes because there are more horses than horseshoers as it is. Besides the horse owners will weed out the bad farriers themselves before long and they’ll be looking for a job in a factory sumwhere. Any good shoer will have plenty of work and the horseowner should feel privlaged if they find one that takes their business. because when a new customer calls me and they say they “just cant find a dependable shoer” A. either their horses wont stand gud or B. they dont pay good. And for the shoeing job, I also think it looks good. (considering one photo) The angle looks correct. No flareing, It appears that heals are allowing the frog to function as it is supposed to. The rings on the hoof are growth rings not founder rings. These rings can appear when there is a change in diet,a day of hard work, fever, stress, etc… If the horse has foundered the rings would fall off towards the ground in the quarters(heel area) IMO
August 19th, 2010 at 6:34 am
I live in an area where there are no certified farriers. In fact there are very few horse shoers within 3 hours. People here sometimes have to wait 10 weeks to get some one out. I have gone to shoeing schools and learned to shoe for myself. It is not rocket science.
If you cannot find a good farrier take the time to learn how to do it yourself, and invest in some good tools.
It is extremely satisfying and you will quickly see how important it is to train your horse to stand willingly for the process.
August 19th, 2010 at 10:44 am
I live in TX, which has alot of farriers, especially in our area. But, I’ve been blessed with finding a great one, after trial and error and 1 lamed horse. I’ve used him for about 14 years now, and even after we moved out of his driving area, I continue to haul my horses to him. He has taught me so much about hoof health, and he is a 2nd generation farrier. He didn’t go to school, but learned from his Dad. Even on first time colts, he does a great job and lots of patience. Good ones are out there, you just have to know what to look for. Do your research. If he’s really busy, he’s usually good. Thanks, Ed, for your terrific work on my horses thru the years.
August 19th, 2010 at 10:51 am
I live in TX, which has alot of farriers, especially in our area. But, I’ve been blessed with finding a great one, after trial and error and 1 lamed horse. I’ve used him for about 14 years now, and even after we moved out of his driving area, I continue to haul my horses to him. He has taught me so much about hoof health, and he is a 2nd generation farrier. He didn’t go to school, but learned from his Dad. Even on first time colts, he does a great job with lots of patience. Good ones are out there, you just have to know what to look for. Do your research. If he’s really busy, he’s usually good. Thanks, Ed, for your terrific work on my horses thru the years.
March 29th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
[...] horses were so relaxed we could have three horses with no halters on, and they would stand and be shod, all at the same time, and not leave. And then the people needed that spot for a horse that was [...]
June 20th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
TO ADD TO THAT SHARED by WAYNE WHITE back in February of 2009:
In the USA, we are in a sad state of affairs as far as “quality control” with the REAL STORY surrounding so many farriers, their abilities and their training. This organization ( AQHA ) of which I am a member and have the highest respect is a prime example of “the wool being pulled over one’s eyes” !!! Do you know how many horses that there are in the USA ??? Do you know how many full time farriers it would take to keep them all trimmed and shod ??? Do you happen to know the membership tally of any of these “good ol’ boy organizations” ??? I wonder what club the rest of the farriers belong to ??? Do the research …. I did ….. you’ll be surprised ….. but, when something has a catchy name; many are drawn to believe in it !!! I have also seen where the highest ranking amongst the membership ( of one club ) has made comments to myself like: ” …… do not know why you are working so hard making nice shoes…. just use these side clipped slippers …. open ‘em up or close ‘em up and slide ‘em on & nail them up …. the people that you work for do not know any different !!!” OR …. a fairly well recognized memeber of the club making the statement: “…..just hurry up and throw some shoes on them horses during the day so that you can get home and practice for shoeing competitions !!!”
In the USA there are absolutely NO rules as to who might enter this field ….. if you are unemployed and hungry; merely get up tomorrow morning and proclaim that you are a horse-shoer …. and because you said it …. you are now one !!! BUT ….. what about the guys that are already here and that should be carrying themselves in a manner to bring respect to our craft ???
There are associations and / or organizations that try to accomplish testing to bring the quality of training up to a playing field whereby the horse will get the best of care ….. but ….. that is all voluntary ….. not required by any facet of our goverment institutions.
I do know of one organization that toots it’s own horn fairly well. I do know of fellas that have played party to their testing system. What bothers me is that those fellas ( after acquiring the card ) then go out and accomplish a 55 minute “slam bam thank you mam” shoeing job …. that in fact looks just about that good …. as they throw “cold” store bought “ill fitiing” shoes at the horse and then that “card holder” finds fault with a farrier that studies the horse before creating the perfect trim, turns hand made shoes, and offers a piece of art work two and a half hours later that insures long term soundness of the horse ….. BUT …. he doesn’t carry their “club card” !!!
I guess what I am trying to point out is “we” do need some help here in this world of “farriers”. I once had an old timer tell me that the best thing that we could do is try to educate our public and in doing so … hopefully “they” will weed out the incompetent farriers. In addition to that I try to shoe every horse as though some “goverment tester” (none known of at this juncture) will call me on Monday asking for the list of horses that I shod “LAST WEEK” ….. and go about my work as though I never know when I’ll get that call …. I have always said: “I might not be able to fix a lame horse and make him sound ….. BUT …. I better not shoe a sound horse and make him lame !!! I shoe them all like GOD is gonna come and take a look ….. and I’m not sure when ….
Kim Kobow / Central Coast Farrier Service / Salinas, California