I do not know if this is the proper place to start this thread but I figure its as good of place as any, so here goes.

I recieved some literature from a fellow shoer recently touting the BWFA's new certification on Equine Flexion Therapy and had to wonder if this was legal as most state vet boards take a dim view of folks practicing Equine Chiropractics without a license.

I also saw a new (new too me anyway) organization called NEHRF. The only info I could find on NEHRF was on the BWFA website, I was wondering if anyone else had heard of this and what there thoughts on the subject are?

Jon

"visual examination", "flexion examination", "palpating examination", "muscle treatment","Polychromatic light therapy", sounds like diagnosis and treatment. Massage/range of motion bodywork can be extremely useful when it is not packaged with junk"science" and fairydust.

Just my two cents, but I really get more satisfaction performing a really good trim and, when needed, follow with an appropriate shoeing package and have a horse improve when all others have given up than any other form of therapy that I use. I am capable of doing whatever I need from surgery, medications, and injections, but giving the horse the proper mechanics he needs is the best therapy any one, be he farrier, veterinarian, magician, or voodoo priest, can bestow.

M. W. Myers, D.V.M.

I guess my biggest issue with this sort of thing is that the "Diagnose and treatment" area has always been a very fine line for farriers as it is, so to offer certification in something that is bordering on or is perhaps a medical procedure is in my opinion just poking the proverbial pit bull, and asking for trouble.
According to what I have read and been able to find out the "Instructor" is or was at one time an AFA CF, and is currently a BWFA CJF. Yet not once in his literature or on his website or in the BWFA literature is inspecting the foot mentioned.
At the same time this is all from the folks who brought you the Nolan Hoof Plate maybe shining a polychromatic light on the hoof plate stops the screws from the hoof plate before they bore into the corium. Either way with state vet boards looking at controlling farriers it looks too me like anyone taking part in this charade is asking for problems.

I can certainly agree with your thoughts on the non medical practitioner getting into trouble with making diagnoses and prescribing treatments, however, this sort of "medical practice" is generally viewed by the veterinary profession as so ludicrous it deserves no attention. It is unfortunate that horse owners are duped by this sort of chicanery, but they will need to learn for themselves as they will not trust a real farrier or veterinarian on these matters.

M. W. Myers, D.V.M.

Dr. Myers, I do agree with you on the point that most veterinary boards and professionals would view these things as ludicrous.
However I do personally know of two seperate incidents and one that I heard of in three seperate states where someone who was doing "Equine Massage Therapy" and saddle fitting were investigated for doing chiropractic work.
Knowing that in the farrier industry we have the AFA submitting a model to the USDA for licensing and registration, and the fact that a few years back they were beating the licensing drum pretty hard, add to that the AAEP and several vet boards in different states have come out in favor of farriers being regulated/controlled by the veterinay boards, doesnt it seem like teaching and certifying people in **** methods and miracle cures of this nature are poking the pit bull so too speak?

Interesting.

What other professions/trades does the USDA license/register?

Besides that, what interest would the USDA have in pursuing such legislation and which congressman would champion this cause?

What kind of "deals" would have to be struck between dems and reps to get something like this passed into law?

What does the AAEP have to do with professional regulation? The AVMA is the accrediting authority for the veterinary profession. The AVMA model vet practice act has an explicit exclusion for horseshoeing. Section 6, Item 8 - if you want to look it up.

Professions are licensed state by state often restricting the practice to each state thus requiring multiple licensure (and creating additional funds for each state). Licensing is more about census taking and taxation than quality control. A real pain in the rear.
The AVMA does provide accreditation in some areas as does the AAHA, neither provide any form of licensure. The USDA only has jurisdiction over the handling of animals, plants and related products.
As you might suspect, state licensure does not stop these charlatans from plying their trade, only educating the horse owning public can bring this to a halt. As long as there are pawns to be played, there will be predators to prey on them. State licensure does not assure good practitioners in any profession, only the practitioners themselves can do that with their personal pride in doing a good job.

M. W. Myers, D.V.M.

Per Mr. Bloomer: What other professions/trades does the USDA license/register?
None that I am aware of, however I do work as a DQP at gaited shows and I know that from talking to USDA officials and VMO's at the shows and training sessions that the USDA currently has a very keen interest and has been keeping abreast of the use of such things as Flexion therapy in the horse industry, not too mention some of the soring procedures we see on horses feet under the guise of farriery.


Mr Bloomer: Besides that, what interest would the USDA have in pursuing such legislation and which congressman would champion this cause?
Follow the money if a government entity stands too make a cent off of someting they will be interested. As for an elected official championing the cause, I would guess that considering PETA and the ASPCA are involved anyone who would stand too get a substantial campaign donation would gladly pickup the cause and sell his or her constituents on saving animals abused by the eveil shoer, I.E. See how the Prop B got passed in Missouri that should be red flag enough.

What kind of "deals" would have to be struck between dems and reps to get something like this passed into law?
None. Take it too the people and sell it as an animal welfare issue look up some of the animal regulation controls that have been enacted recently in WI, AR, OK, MO and KS.

Mr. Bloomer: What does the AAEP have to do with professional regulation? The AVMA is the accrediting authority for the veterinary profession. The AVMA model vet practice act has an explicit exclusion for horseshoeing. Section 6, Item 8 - if you want to look it up.

The AAEP is talking about it. It was the topic of more than one conversation and presentation at the AAEP convention this last year. It is not a stretch again considering theat the AAEP does recieve some "Donations" from PETA and the Humane Society that the AAEP would bring this to the table.

I was more inclined to find out if anyone knew of NEHRF and Equine Flexion therapy not for this too become a licensing and registration thread. I do believe that certifying people especially farriers who want too upsell there clients, in something like Lite Brite therapy Flexion therapy and Hoof plates is p i s s poor judgement at best. All things like that will achieve is giving groups that are pro licensing more ammunition.

Have you seen Frank Lessiters video regarding the AAEP? If you havent I will gladly send you the link.

Dr. Myers I do agree that it is all about revenue and with the current economic situation in the U.S. the powers that be are looking at increasing revenues.

Thanks for that Jon.

Yes, please post a link to Frank's video on the AAEP.

Below is the link I mentioned to the Frank Lessiter video,
http://www.americanfarriers.com/pages/Spre/Frankly-Speaking-How-Serious-Are-They.php

I have done some research and found that the "Equine Flexion" instructor was investigated for practicing "Chiropractic's" in Texas. Evidently its legal in Texas.
In talking with some farriers & vets from other states, and calling Vet Licensing boards in a few states I have found that a person practicing this type of treatment could be in serious trouble, regardless of who has certified them. According to what I found out from the GA board it would come under a Chiropractic board and again is an extremly fine line.
Another question I have is in regards to the "Hoof Plate". Considering the "Hoof Plate" does carry a medical patent does that make it a medical procedure when a farrier chooses to bolt one on a horse?

It is very interesting that every state where the vet board regulates equine dentistry - requires certification or veterinary supervision - no certification or training is required for licensed vets to float teeth.

The vets had no interest in floating teeth until power tools were introduced. Now a vet can go buy a power float and become an "instant dentist" with no training or certification - in all 50 states.

The double standard has not been challenged yet, but the discrimination exists in every state where equine dentistry is regulated. The real problem is that the vet boards have gotten greedy and too big for their britches. But like congress, they don't read the constitution and the bill of rights.

Frankly I'm surprised that cattleman, equine dentists, and horse owners haven't been more hostile toward the vet boards in these states where the laws have been changed without appropriate public oversight.

Im quite lucky I work with 2 very good vets, one who put himself through school by shoeing horses, and one who is just an old horse vet that knows his stuff.
In talking with the vet who shod his way through school, he told me that he feels any vet who has a shoer working for him should have to then become licensed as a farrier also.
As to why the horseowning public,do nothing about these situations, I am of the belief that we as farriers have dropped the ball in educating the customer.
The Farrier Associations themselves are also responsible, on one hand we have the AFA that while it has some good educational benefits, for the shoer really offers nothing to the owner, and seems to be more interested in teaching other shoers too impress other shoers by who is better in the fire.
On the other hand we have the BWFA, which invites customers in but sells them on things like the aforementioned gimmicks and miracle cures like Billy Mays used to sell oxy clean, add to that the slick marketing of some of the **** methods out there by barefooters and the ALPO project and a good shoer is behind the 8 ball when he gets out of bed in the morning.
And as long as I am spreading blame on here we also have to add in the apathetic owner who doesnt want too learn anything more about the horse than what is told to them by Pat and Linda Parelli and you have a recipe for disaster.
When I first started shoeing 15 years ago I was told by one of my instructors that there are " Hell of alot of horseowners in America, and very few horseman" I find that as truer today then I did back then.

Jon D Sawyer wrote:
My "slickest " form of marketing is to quietly let the work speak for itself. What problem do you have with ELPO?

Dances with Hooves;223063 wrote: