When the American Farrier’s Association Board of Directors updated its certification process late in 2016, its aim was to provide consistent and fair evaluation. The changes are proving successful, says Craig Stark, certification chairman.
“The focus of the new updated policy is a commitment to candidate growth and scoring consistency,” says the Chelsea, Okla., farrier. “The Board of Directors felt like the members/candidates wanted the examiner/tester to be able to demonstrate how passing scores is achieved. By doing an update every 2 years, it keeps those skills fresh. This has helped the examiners and testers fairly grade each component of the candidates’ display.”
To retain their status under the new
process, examiners must complete the
following:
Testers also must meet all of the previous requirements; however, they are subject to a 30-minute time limit per foot for shoeing with a premanufactured shoe and handmade shoe.
Alan Dryg forges a plain-stamped hind shoe with quarter clips as part of the new policy to retain his status as an AFA tester.
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Jeff Cota has been a writer, photographer and editor with newspapers and magazines for 30 years. A native of Maine, he is the editor of American Farriers Journal.
