Problems will always occur within an organization. That’s just one of the facts of life. In the farrier world, it seems that we face a lot of problems. We’re therefore very analytical about our trade. Sometimes, this tendency to scrutinize everything so closely carries over into our organization.

To Err Is Human

The men and women that make up the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) are human beings and are not perfect in any way, shape or form. Having said that, I will also say that while farriers may not be able to walk on water, they are masters at knowing where all the cut-off stumps can be found in the water.

Admitting that the certification process is not perfect is long overdue. But it is up and running and it is running a heck of a lot smoother than it did at its conception. A lot of the programs that the AFA has are not perfect. But most gradually get better. And while some may actually get worse, dragging volunteers out into the town square and publicly flogging them is not going to make the next person in line feel very secure.

Horseshoer Sense 

My heroes have always been horseshoers. My parents got me to 18 without me going to jail and gave me a work ethic. From there, horseshoers have always taken me under their wing and tutored me up to this day. The resources that we have to pull from in this crowd of people are endless.

I…