Great job Lori!!

Nope Smitty, no pics. I meant to take some, but by the time I thought of it they had turned him out.

Just pretend they looked just like one of the masterpieces you post!! LOL :p

Oh, wait....I think that was a dream.

Understood, I was just confused with what you meant by flat. This helps for sure. Thanks!

Congrats, Lori!

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Ok, I'm bored at work. I have been obsessed with the certification threads because I have made the commitment to obtain my certification. I have heard the arguments for and against etc... I set a goal of testing in Oct at Heartland Horse Shoeing School but a last minute certification came up at Kentucky Horse Shoeing School. I decided to give it a go. I passed the written and timed out on the practical. I saw farriers dropping left and right. I think there was only one Journeyman and one Certified that passed that weekend. I was not upset that I did not get it this time because I can honestly say that the benefits from going through the process were so great. I have honestly raised the bar and have made a number of friends I would not have otherwise. For all of the nay sayers out there, you need to just be silent and either do or don't do it. When you talk negatively about the certification you are only demonstrating ignorance. If you don't want to do it then don't do it, but honetstly it is your loss.

dgrimwoo wrote:
Really? How about that? I wake up this fine Saturday morning (the opening of deer season) to read here that free speech has been suspended.

But to the topic...you're bored at work? Do you find shoeing horses boring or is it that you do something else for a living.

If the later, I find that an odd position from which to give advice to farriers.

I, for one, am not certified, but I am living the glorious, free, adventure filled and reasonably profitable life of a full time farrier. I got home last night after a week on the road getting show horses ready for the last couple of shows of the season. I'll spend a couple days hunting and restocking the truck and go do it again. I'm not bored at work.

At this stage of the game you might be better off asking questions instead of trying to give advice.

Mike Ferrara wrote:Congrats to you Mike F.

Read the mention of you in the latest AFJ. Seems somebody out there likes ya;)
George

Mike Ferrara wrote:
Don't ya just love when other farriers wanna inform you on how to be a real farrier.. I'm more intrested in why the poster is board shoeing horses or if he has another job to make ends meet...I have said before and will say again..I have no issue with the test nor farriers that take it..the issue I have is the idea that some have to assume you are not doing CE just because one may pass on it...just as farriers take the test for what ever reason they are some of us that don't for diff reasons...don't ever assume that just because some don't wanna test can't pass it or can't shoe they azz off..just like mike I hammer it out 7 days if wanna work that many days in a row..I know CJFs have horses showing at high levels...even ol hacks like me have a few good ones on the books...sent 6 to lexington to the young jumper show and we are tweekin 8 now to get ready for south Fl this winter..90 percent of my book shows reg basis..I have my wins and I have my struggles..don't ever assume you have an edge on the next guy just because of some letters on the backside of ones name...all that assume is what turns me off at the certs

George Geist wrote:
Thanks but I just work with some "famous" people once in a while. LOL

I can understand both sides to some extent, certified and non certified. I think most certified farriers will always be proud of certification because of the time and effort involved that they have put in to passing the certification. Passing the certification provides the individual with a sence of accomplishment and confidence. I don't think anyone is better than the other just due to certification levels, in fact I just got back from riding along with Atlanta farriers about a month ago. Three of the five were not certified but would have no trouble passing their CF test. They are great farriers.

I also think that no one looks down on another because of lack of letters behind their name. I could be wrong but I know I don't care. What does matter to me is how a guy conducts himself as a professional, how he handles the business side of things, and what he knows about shoeing horses. I don't care if someone shoes big time horses or back yard ****, makes no difference to me although some on here like to talk about what big time horses they shoe.

Certification was a great process for me. The CF was easy for me because I was prepared. All it gave me was some self confidence, and some great fellowship with great people that believed in something I believed in. I use to think certification didn't matter to clients but I have been asked by six people this year so I guess it is starting to matter to some. I do know that the last job I got was a barn of 40 head and I can assure you I got the job because of certification. So it matters to some, doesn't to others.

Cody they should be proud..and should be comended for doing the test..some get it and some don't..I think anyone can look back and tell why some don't wanna do it...I had alsways thought I would at some point but as time has went on and th e more its talked about the more I am ok with knowing I will never take any cert unless forced to or a chance I could loose any work over it...but my hats off to those that have and will..I assure you and anyone I have my reasons for why I feel about it..but I like the way ur outlook is on the subject..of sorts on a few things..some not but. It is what it is...

Sometimes I think people might miss the point or my attempt to articulate how much the process has helped me. Cody does a much better job of explaining this. He has my sentiments exactly. I am not trying to dispurse advise, other than, anyone that decides to attempt the certification will be better for it.

Hello everyone, I am preparing to get my CF in march of 2012 and wanted to get any advice and help to better prepare for the exams. I plan to attend a pre certain clinic in march at 5 star Horseshoeing school also. I live in Hendersonville, tn and hope to find some local farriers in my area that I could mentor under that have taken the exams. I'm in the Tn Army national guard and set to deploy in April of 2012, so between redeployment training and responsibilities at home I'm stretched thin. Being gone from home for a year and not being under horses is going to be a challenge and any opportunities to shoe are slim in Afghanistan. I want to take advantage of the time I have left here to maximize my beloved profession. Plus once I get back, I will need to build a buissnes and be able to provide for my family so any advantage that I can capitalize when I get back is crucial. I'm fortunate that I have 17 horses that I maintain at our barn to hone my skills, and a very good farrier that I refer to when something behond my skillset arrises plus he will take over my barn when I leave. Being that the AFA requires a particular standard and skillset to pass, I want to focus on that and only someone that has taken the test can properly assist me in preparing for it. So I plead to anyone in my area that can assist me in helping achieve these goals, I understand that there is no guarantee that I will pass and I might have to take the test again, this will just show me where I need to improve. I want to get certified not because I want a some letters next to my name but to push myself to be the best that I can.

dgrimwoo wrote:When one gives advice and rebuke, one should have the confidence to back their statements with their name. It also happens to be a rule here.

Jose,
Welcome and thank you for your service in the Guard.
Interesting that you've come from Chef to Farrier, my kid wants to go the other direction.
Certification is good. Do not look at it as an arrival or an end. I think too much is made of certification for beginning Farriers, as one can concentrate too much on the test rather than the craft.
The majority of the best Farriers in the country aren't certified.