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10 News Headlines from the AFA Convention: 1.
The AFA is actively soliciting support from the horse industry and
farrier profession for a letter writing campaign to the American
Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). AVMA has posted a draft of their
new model for state veterinary practice acts which does not exclude the
work of farriers from the definition of practicing veterinary medicine.
Please read the AVMA's draft at
2.
Competitions change from year to year, but the bright star at the top of
the list this year is once again the young Austin Edens from Texas. This
year, Austin was accompanied by his parents (his father, David, is
treasurer of the AFA) and his grandfather. He won both high point awards
and leads the American Farriers Team point standings. Team members with
Austin are Bill Poor, Todd Walker, Troy Price, Hank Highfield, John
McNierney (not in order). 3.
One of the most interesting hours at the convention was also the quietest:
the meeting of the World Farriers Association brought together farrier
association representatives with reports on what is going on in other
countries. The report from Japan was especially poignant, since the
economy there has forced several racetracks to close and many farriers are
out of work, since racing is the primary employment for farriers there.
Still, 17 Japanese farriers paid their own ways to Salt Lake City, with
three being official competitors for their country. From Europe came good
news that the nations are cooperating on educational standards for
farriers. To learn more, visit http://www.worldfarriersassoc.org
4.
Who's that grumpy old man? A farrier, of course. You can take the apron
away, but he's still a shoer. Actor Wilford Brimley (aka the "Quaker
Oatmeal" or "check your blood sugar" man on tv) shared stories as
guest speaker at the convention banquet. Wil comes from Utah, and his son
still owns a ranch there where he can practice his shoeing.
5.
Who are all those grumpy old men? Must be the Anvil 21 Club. Some of
America's most experienced farriers addressed a full house on Friday
morning, poked some fun at themselves, and demonstrated their skills. Even
if they couldn't hear each other, or see what they were doing without
their glasses, they were sharing a tiny bit of what they know, and
that's a lot. From Arabian shoeing legend Charlie Brown reminding young
farriers of the importance of owner relations to Bruce Daniels and Eddie
Watson and Danny Ward giving more technical hints on hind end problems in
sport horses, it was a morning to remember. Order the tape on this one!
6.
Bravo! Bravo! The annual awards ceremony presented by Lyle Peterson almost
upstaged the contest results. Washington's Bill Miller brought home the
Walt Taylor Award, New York's Bob Plant the administration award,
California's Don Gustafson the Edward Martin Humanitarian Award, and
Hoofcare's own consulting editor Allie Hayes won the Educator's Award.
Nancy Zwicker and the Farriers Association of Washington State won the
regional newsletter award, and The Anvil Magazine's Rob Edwards won the
journalism award.
7.
Boning up on anatomy? The anatomy "lab" was the convention's
most informal but valuable learning experience. Small discussion groups
led by vets or specialist farriers focused on leg models of all sizes,
with all sorts of disorders. The result is a perfect introduction to the
myriad of opinions that exist about how a horse is put together and why.
No one could walk away without realizing how much there is to learn.and
to argue about. Hats off to Allie Hayes for organizing this super event,
where everyone has a voice and no question is too dumb. 8.
Credit cards were flashing in the sold-out trade show, where 100+ booths
showed everything new and old, with plenty of curiosities and bargains to
tempt farriers. A few special mentions: the new Canadian "pizza forge"
(spindle base with a round disk burner); the hydroplastic Imprint heart
bar shoe (heat in water, mold to the hoof, great for foals); Miss Rodeo
America greeted farriers at the Absorbine booth; Centaur Forge's new
ownership offered a discount to all farriers at the convention. East Coast
Farrier Products is offering Equi-Bond pmma adhesive at down-to-earth
prices, Vettec has Adhere and Super Fast in economical 20cc cartridges,
and Maryland farrier David Ferguson has launched an advanced training
school for farriers. And that was just the first row.
9.
Election results are in and.Walt Taylor is back in action as secretary
of the AFA. That's right; the AFA's founding president, now 70, ran
unopposed for the office of secretary. Bob Earle of Arizona was elected
vice-president by just 20 votes over Jack Millman of Massachusetts. Our
old friend Bruce Daniels leaves the office of secretary, and will
hopefully find something to do for and with the AFA. Craig Trnka has been
re-nominated as president, and David Edens re-nominated as treasurer.
Nominations are now open. 10.
The most poignant moment at any horse-related convention has to be that
magic moment at the AFA banquet when farriers joyfully join rough,
calloused hands and sing a rousing Auld Lang Syne. They sing loud. They
hold on tight. And they mean it. If you have a chance, join them next
February in Rochester, NY. Full
details on the 2004 AFA Convention will be published in Hoofcare
& Lameness Journal as soon as they are available, or watch
hoofcare.com for more information. Many,
many thanks to our old friend and farrier Jehnet Carlson for her help with
photographs. If you don't know her, or even if you do, check our her
home page at http://www.djbarranch.com/Jehnet.html
to see more of her photos, and visit the main page for her incredible
Montana ranch and hunting lodge at www.djbarranch.com.
Don't miss seeing her new mammoth jack, Max! Photos
and text copyright 2003 by Hoofcare Publishing and/or Jehnet Carlson. No
use without permission.
© 2003 Hoofcare & Lameness |
American Farriers
Convention
