Certification
Is your farrier certified? If not, it may not be a big deal as certification is not mandatory. However, if you're in the market for a new farrier, finding a farrier certified with the American Farriers Association (AFA) or the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF) might be something worth considering in your search. Does certification mean the farrier is perfect? No! What it does mean is that your farrier has put in a lot of extra hours expanding and practicing his skills to further his knowledge. AFA Certification requires passing a 100 question written test, as well as preparing a group of specimen shoes that demonstrated forging ability (the "shoe board") and shoeing a live horse within a set time limit. Both the shoe board and the live shoeing must meet very strict standards and guidelines, which measure shoes and shoe shapes down to the millimeter. All through this process, the farrier is constantly being judged and critiqued by peers, colleagues, and the testers. There's not much that is more difficult that presenting your work in front of a group of your peers and having it picked apart, millimeter by millimeter! The preparation and testing experience are very challenging, but the end result is a better farrier and a better outcome for your horse.
I have recently achieved the AAPF Foundation Credential Certification, which required completing a 400 question general knowledge test. I have also received my Certified Farrier designation from the AFA. The AFA certification includes a written test, a "shoe board" where I had to shape and forge 10 different types of shoe modifications and shoeing a live horse in a given time period with very specific standards. I completed the written test with a score of 97%, passed the live shoeing, and completed my shoe board in 2019. I plan to continue on to achieve my Certified Journeyman Farrier designation.
I have recently achieved the AAPF Foundation Credential Certification, which required completing a 400 question general knowledge test. I have also received my Certified Farrier designation from the AFA. The AFA certification includes a written test, a "shoe board" where I had to shape and forge 10 different types of shoe modifications and shoeing a live horse in a given time period with very specific standards. I completed the written test with a score of 97%, passed the live shoeing, and completed my shoe board in 2019. I plan to continue on to achieve my Certified Journeyman Farrier designation.