How to Achieve A Sounder Horse

The horse is a companion a worker an athlete a pet. This noble beast has been our ally and partner since first domesticated some 6000 years ago. They deserve the best possible care and respect for their faithful toil and service.
Today the horse continues to serve us in a variety of roles. The job description may be that of a pasture companion a trail riding partner or a school horse. He might pull a sightseeing carriage skid logs in the bush push cattle on a ranch or compete as a top international athlete. But one overarching issue that remains controversial across all areas of the horse industry is hoof care. And without the help of a qualified farrier hooves and the physical structure of the horse are going to suffer.

Is your farrier certified with the American Farriers Association AFA? Did he or she serve an extensive apprenticeship at the beginning of their career? Does your farrier pursue additional education? It takes approximately four to five years of extensive studies and training to become a competent farrier who is useful and helpful in solving hoofrelated issues rather than causing them. And this is just the platform from which their career should launch the learning and education should never stop.
In Canada there are no minimum requirements or licensing to regulate a person who practices farriery. This is why the American Farriers Association has played such an important role in the education of students graduating from farrier schools here in Canada. The AHA also offers continual education to alreadyestablished farriers through certification clinics and contests.
Unlike other countries such as England where you must serve a strict apprenticeship complete with classes internship and exams here in Canada its left completely up to the individual farrier to selfeducate. Some circumstances allow farriers to be placed