Professional Farriers™ To Gather In Lexington For Educational Event

Lexington, KY -- Do not let your horse throw a shoe between February 27th and March 1st, 2008, as professional farriers from across North America and beyond will be temporarily unavailable. Gathering in Lexington, KY, leading farriers and veterinarians specializing in hoof care will take part in the 37th Annual Convention of the American Farrier’s Association.

Drawing more than 1,500 participants—primarily farriers from the AFA’s 55 chapters—this annual event focuses on continuing education and features lectures, demonstrations, clinics, discussions, awards, contests, and more. Farriers and equine veterinarians will have ample opportunities to further their knowledge of anatomy, to re-examine basics, to learn new techniques, and to examine both theory and practice.

The AFA’s educational opportunities are not limited to farriers and veterinarians, however. This year, the AFA also presents Horseman’s Day 2008 on Saturday, March 1st. This eventful day will feature horseshoeing, forging, and anatomy demonstrations, and include lectures and demonstrations concerning breed-specific shoeing (QH, TB, and Saddlebred) and research concerning timely issues related to TB racing. Convention and Horseman’s Day attendees will also gain entry to the FIA/AFA MarketPlace, a trade show featuring more than 200 exhibitors, offering equipment, supplies and services for the farrier and equine industry.

With four days of non-stop education, many of the educational activities center around discussions and labs, focusing on hands-on learning and group interaction. In the more traditional learning environments, attendees will work with more than 25 select lecturers and clinicians, gaining the opportunity to work with clinicians such as Mitch Taylor, CJF, 2007 AFA Educator of the Year and Mark Milster, CJF, 2007 AFA Clinician of the Year.

Farrier certification, one of the cornerstones of the AFA, will be at the forefront of the convention. Many attending farriers will work in anatomy labs and hands-on clinics to fine-tune their knowledge and skills in preparation for certification; others will take the written portion of the certification exam.

The American Farrier’s Association is a non-profit organization with a mission to further the professional development of farriers, to provide leadership and resources for the benefit of the farrier industry, and to improve the welfare of the horse through continuing farrier education. For more information about the American Farrier’s Association, call (859) 233-7411, or go to www.americanfarriers.ORG on the Internet.

Professional FARRIER™
Official Pulication of the American Farrier's Association
Contestants in the farrier competitions will vie for a coveted position on the American Farriers’ Team, attempting to secure a spot as one of four farriers who will spend the next year serving as AFA world ambassadors. Team members represent the AFA at competitions in England, Scotland, Canada, and other countries; additionally, they conduct clinics for AFA Chapters and for the horse-owning public.
Many members will also have completed application for the AFA’s Cultural Exchange Program and will interview for several opportunities available through this program. Members qualifying for this opportunity, travel abroad on exchanges ranging from one week to three months, returning to share their experiences at the Annual Convention and other AFA events.
Dave Ferguson, CJF TE, AFA President, describes this event as “the premier event in the AFA’s year,” and points out that “the Annual Convention is our opportunity to showcase the AFA’s foundational tenets: Education, Communication, Certification, Research, and Innovation.”