Letters from the President of the PPFA to the members

These letters are in chronological order, with the most recent letter at the top. By reading these letters we hope you develop a "feel" for how the PPFA operates, and our dedication to promoting the farrier industry.

On Friday, March 7, the PPFA held a precertification clinic for the participants of the next day's AFA certification. There was an excellent turn out for the event. The day started out with Rueben King, CJF demonstrating the Journeyman practical test so everyone taking the Journeyman test could get a close up of how every part of the practical would be scared and to get answers to any questions they may have had. Alvin Beiler, CJF demonstrated the Certified practical and answered questions throughout his demonstration as well. The next part of the day was the Shoe Display for the Certified participants, which Mike Wharton, CJF covered very nicely. Mike made up a shoe board with a variety of keg shoes and handmades all fitting the same front pattern or hind pattern and all modifications the display calls for. This was great for those who wanted to turn in all keg shoes, all handmades or a combination of both.

The next part of our clinic was the written test (and lunch at Hosses) for both levels. William Kiner, CJF and myself used Doug Butler's "Principles of Horseshoeing" to cover the written area with practice questions and book work. This part of the day lasted about 2 1/2 hours. After lunch the guys who wished to get more time with the shoes displays went back to the certification site for assistance from Mike Wharton. This clinic would not have happened without the excellent work of our members in setting it up. Thanks to Alvin Beiler, Elmer Glick, William Kiner, Rueben King and Mike Wharton.

The actual certification the next day was a 12 hour ordeal. There were 6 Journeyman and 7 Certified taking the practical and a total of 16 participants. Andrew Elsbree was our examiner. Bob Davis also came up as well to lend a hand. Our testers included, Doug Neilson, Bob Skradzio, Mike Wharton, and Gary Faulkner. Each of our testers also had a scribe which helped to keep each Certified tester open to test a participant.

There's not a lot to mention about the test itself, we have all been there, the jitters, butterflies, etc. but the best part of the event (besides passing all parts of the test) is making new friends and seeing some old ones. Hope to see you at our next one.

Phil Bower
PPFA President
April, 2003

As the new President of the Pennsylvania Professional Farriers Association, I am very excited about the new year and the new opportunities for our association. The PPFA is on its to recognition within the "horse world" of Pennsylvania. The past executive officers have set the pace for us. We currently hold two certifications and a competition each year. The PPFA has so many more opportunities to get into the public eye and give horse owners an awareness of what a competent farrier can do for them and their horse. In the coming year, let's get some clinics set up for the public to help educate horse owners. If you have any opportunities or ideas for public awareness clinics, and need some assistance, or have questions, just ask. Our association is very fortunate to have members who are knowledgeable and willing to help if asked. Mike Wharton is working on getting us into a setting with other horse associations (ex. 4-H, AAEP, etc.).

The PPFA will be holding the first meeting for this year on January 18, 2003 at 9 a.m. at Amsterdam Farrier Supply in New Holland, PA. All PPFA members or perspective members are invited to attend. I hope to see you there to help with the planning of this year's events. We will be discussing events already on the calendar and addressing suggestions already received from members.

Phil Bower
PPFA President
January, 2003

Welcome to the new year. I hope that the old year was good to you, its been busy for me. During the past year my father has had two cancer surgeries and been off work for almost a year. My youngest brother was there with them, helping out with the farm. My father has recovered well from his surgeries. My wife and I received our newest addition to the family in July. Little Dalton is doing great; his sister loves the idea of a baby brother. Business has been exceptional. Shoeing horses, working on the house, and taking care of a family is an around-the-clock procedure. My two apprentices are hard at work as well. Phil has been studying hard for his certification, and John is busy soaking up all he can learn.

Our association has also been busy with two certifications with Andrew Elsbrey and Bob Pethic as our examiners. It has been wonderful to see that they are pleased to continue their participation with us. Our clinics have also been attended with great clinicians and speakers - such as the long toe low heel clinic, the AFA gold team, and our spring precertification clinic.

This year will be no different as we are planning our clinics already. Starting this month we will be having practice certifications clinics that are open to all who want to improve their skills. We will be working hard on another two day clinic, possibly with Mr. Trnka again. A spring certification will be in Gettysburg, and will follow with one at Valley Forge in the fall. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the AFA convention that is just around the corner. After the exchange of officers we will get together to plan the rest of the year. Anyone interested in contributing their time and skills please call. Remember, your association is only as good as you make it.

William Kiner CF
PPFA President
January, 2001

This year (2000) marks another exciting milestone for the PPFA. We have had another two successful certifications one held at Gettysburg with Dave Ferguson and the other held at Valley Forge with Wayne Allen. Both places have asked us back again. The leg dissection clinic held at New Bolton Center with Todd Meister and former east vice president Chris Volk was outstanding. It was very in depth and informative, as well as, very well attended. Mark Goodfellow's welding clinic was also very informative. All who attended walked away with hands on experience in welding in aluminum and steel. The end of the summer brought Craig Trinka to the mid-state clinic organized by Mark Wharton. Craig's enthusiasm was peaking after just competing and winning competitions in England and Canada. The two day clinic focused on quality shoe making. From plain stamped shoes to heart bars. Two days with a champion will change your work habits and quality forever. We cannot forget House Bill 1418 as all the hard work Jay Flynn has done for us. From going to our state capitol to talk to Senators, to speaking with veterinarians and college deans it was a staggering amount of time and work. Just want to say "THANK YOU JAY!" A word of thanks to all our members for your effort. I have put on two certifications and a clinic in the past three years, and trust me it is no easy task. Please keep up the good work and remember this association is only as good as we make it.

William Kiner CF
PPFA President
January, 2000

If you have ever attended a farrier function, you will know what I'm going to talk about, and for good reason. Our trade has come under fire recently and we've spent a good deal of time defending our position, and fighting for our right to keep this an independent business.

We started this organization with the belief that we were not going to make everyone a world's best farrier, but that we were going to make a difference. During the past two years we have reached that goal and surpassed it. There is no magic clinician or book to learn from. It's up to you to have the desire to learn and to teach others. This trade was started by handing down information and by showing each other different techniques. As Bob Scradzio said to me once, "The worlds biggest copy cat is a farrier."

Every time you attend a clinic or function you help support your organization. By attending you also show proof of continuing education and professionalism in a trade that is one of the most rewarding.

PPFA President
William Kiner CF
June, 1999

First of all, let me take a moment to wish all of you a happy and prosperous New Year. I hope everyone is able to achieve whatever goals they set forth for themselves, both in your professional lives and in everything you do in 1998. The first "event" that the PPFA will be supporting this year is the 27th annual AFA convention in Rochester NY, Feb. 25th to the 28th. The Farriers Journal has plenty of details on this large event. So, there is no need to elaborate, except to say that since the PPFA is now chapter #53 of the AFA, we should try to support this event.

The officers of the PPFA will soon begin planning our first event of 1998. All suggestions, opinions, and idea for clinics or workshops are welcomed from any members who wish to contribute. You can make them known by contacting either myself or any of the elected officers of our association.

In 1997 the PPFA was able to organize 2 hands-on clinics which were both well attended and well received by the participants. We hope to be able to offer at least 2 more large ones in 1998 plus possibly a few smaller workshops and an AFA certification for any members who wish it. Details will be forthcoming but we do need your input, so please let us know what you want from your association this year.

I will be representing the PPFA during the Board of Directors meeting at the AFA convention in February. If you have any concerns or questions that you wish for me to address or investigate for you, I will be happy to do whatever I can. Just contact me, The main issues this year at the convention are as follows:

1. Ratification of a new constitution
2. Comprehensive Insurance for AFA members
   • Health
   • Better Liability
3. Possible hiring of a professional AFA chairman (a full-time position to be held by a non-farrier) to promote and better organize the AFA.

This third issue is, of course, the most controversial. Apparently, it is a job no farrier wants because it's impossible to manage an association with over 2,500 members, and run a shoeing business also. Let me know what you think. It sounds like a good idea to me, but I'm only your representative. If your opinion differs, let me know.

Well, I think that's about it for me. I hope to see as many of you as can make it to the convention. So until next time -
Happy New Year, Jay Flynn

On April 6,1997 a meeting was held of your temporary officers to decide how to get your first clinic up and moving. Details of the upcoming clinic are enclosed in this newsletter. There will be something for everyone to do and see. We hope you will make every effort to attend. There will also be a break following lunch to vote on three remaining issues. (Ratification of a constitution, election of officers, and naming of your organization). During the executive meeting a name was discussed and we have come up with one that we feel includes all your best suggestions and properly represents this organization. It will be our recommendation to the membership therefore that this organization be known, (pending your approval) as, The Pennsylvania Professional Farriers Association (PPFA).

With regard to officers. All of your temporarily elected officers have consented to remain at your disposal in the capacities in which you placed them on March 22, 1997. At the present time Vice President Chris Volk has assumed the duties of Treasurer from Jim Salve since at this formative stage in the organization the secretary position may prove to be an extremely time consuming task. We felt this change necessary to best let Jim concentrate on communication.

There will also be a billboard at your clinic. On it members may place into nomination other members who they feel may be suited to fill these posts. The constitution will also be posted here for your review. At the lunch break, you will also be able to formally join your organization. There will be free copies of Anvil magazine and Loose Shoe Magazine available for your review. We are considering including "Loose Shoe" as a supplement to the newsletter which you will receive quarterly. The price of which Loose Shoe will be covered by your annual dues.

Annual dues for membership were also discussed at the executive meeting. And it was decided that the simplest and easiest way to fund your organization was with annual membership dues. The amount of $40.00 per year was what the last association was able to fund on. Therefore we will attempt to run the new association with the same amount. If you decide to accept Loose Shoe as your publication we will not increase the $40.00. Again Loose Shoe will be included in the $40.00 if we can get the right price. Considering the wag costs of stationery and postage have risen over the last few years, running the association on this amount may be a challenge, but we believe it can be done.

We look forward to seeing you at the clinic. Please come prepared to support your organization by becoming a member of it. We promise to do our best to make it a day worth the trip. See you at the clinic.
Jay Flynn

Well summer is coming to a close and the feet in this region didn't seem too suffer to bad this year. (Thank God, last year was miserable). The PPFA will be shooting for some sort of hands on style clinic for early winter-late fall. I don't want to elaborate to much on what we are trying to put together but I will say that we have people, good people, working on the event. And since they have volunteered their time to help you and I, we'll have to wait for details from them. But I promise you there will be something, and it will be a good one.

The money for all currently paid dues paying members of the PPFA for our Loose Shoe magazines was sent on September 4th. And everyone who has paid his or her dues should receive a copy this month, and every other month for one year. (We'll vote to renew every year). Which of course brings up the matter of dues.

Besides your newsletters and supplemental magazines your dues also helps to support our efforts to sponsor these clinics that you said you want. Without that money in the treasury in advance not much activity can take place on any front. So please if you have not sent in your dues yet take a moment now and mail your check for $40. Check payable to PPFA Mail to:
Wait Shuler
735 Pughtown Road
Spring City, PA 19425

If you aren't sure if you did or didn't pay, we are enclosing in this newsletter two lists of names and addresses. The blue list is everyone who showed interest in the reorganization of a Regional Farriers Association from the beginning of our efforts. The yellow list is of everyone who has paid their dues. This copy of the PPFA newsletter is going out to everyone who is on the larger blue list. But after this newsletter there will only be one mailing list for newsletters and supplementals. And only paid up members will be on it. Remember this is our first year of existence so we need all the support we can get right now at the beginning. So that you can continue to have a healthy organization to serve you in years to come. Your enthusiasm has been great. Your participation outstanding. But we do need the dues to make it work. So if you don't see your name on that yellow list, get on it. Let's make it, the larger of the two.

So now that I've done my fund-raiser impression, the only other thing I have to say is that I hope everyone has had a fat and happy summer and I look forward to seeing you all again at your next event. Enjoy your magazines and we will be in touch with you next month with more details on your next clinic. And as always I consider it an honor or serve both you and the PPFA.
Jay Flynn

PS - As soon as you pay your dues (if you haven't already) your Loose Shoe mags will start coming immediately. And don't forget to read Jim Salve's report on the AFA mid year meeting which he attended on our behalf. It was a long trip to sit in a meeting. But that's why you elected these people to do these things for you!

Well, what can I say. Your first clinic on June 7 at VFMA was a total success. And your organization is now firmly on its feet. If I tried to thank everyone who contributed, it might take two pages so I won't. But a few in particular certainly need to be recognized. First our clinicians, Steve Teichman, Rob Sigafoos, Dave Werkiser and Doug Nielson were nothing less than brilliant. Second and equally as brilliant, were the staff and horses of the Valley Forge Military Academy. In particular Capt. Mike Stahl and his lovely Vet Tech Mrs. Cindy Brennan. Third, to Mark Goodfellow of Marshallton Blacksmith Supply for his generous donation and his special clinic and discounts. And fourth and maybe the greatest factor of all in the success of this first effort of ours, goes to all of you who were able to attend. I speak on behalf of all of us who took the time to put it all together when I say that your conduct and enthusiasm during the day was outstanding. Nothing but glowing reports were received with regard to every aspect of our brief occupation of VFMA. You did yourselves proud, and your deserve to be commended.

The next large effort for the PPFA will most likely be in the fall. As we enter the busiest season of our year it would be to much to expect that we'll have time for anything but keeping up with the work. So that's what we'll probably shoot for (clinic wise).

In the meantime, your officers will have at least one meeting within the next month or two to discuss possible logistics for our next effort. A possible AFA certification has been discussed. Let us know if you have any other ideas. We will be in touch with you with details about what's next. If you were not able to attend, then you probably weren't able to formally join the PPFA. If this is the case I encourage you to do so as soon as you can. This can be done by simply filling out the registration form, which is enclosed, and sending it along with your dues to the address on the form. If you are interested in professional farriery and becoming the best you can be in the business. It may be the best 40 bucks you spend all year. So don't delay. Become a voting member today!!

And so in closing, I would just like to thank you all again for your confidence in me and everyone else who elected to serve on June 7. 1 know we will all do the best we can.

Until the next time, I consider it, as always, a great privilege to remain.
Jay Flynn

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