American Association of Professional Farriers Inc

American Association of Professional Farriers Inc. International Association of Professional Farriers Inc.

Farrier Credentialing

Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures

Adopted by AAPF/IAPF Board of Directors on September 20, 2015 Amended on February 21, 2018

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FARRIERS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FARRIERS

FARRIER CREDENTIALING GUIDELINES & STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

1. Purpose

a. Develop, support and promote a program which will further the education of farriers.

b. Develop and enhance relations with AAPF/IAPF Alliances (i.e. breed/Discipline/Breed/Specialty associations).

c. Educate public, professional and other alliances to recognize and support AAPF/IAPF Credentialed farriers.

2. Scope

a. Recognize farriers experience, education and commitment to the public and professional sectors of the equine industry.

b. Develop and support a program which will allow members to participate in a two-tiered program: (1) “Foundation Credential” and (2) “Stackable Credentials”.

3. Baselines

a. Participants must be current members of the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF) or Canadian Association of Professional Farriers (CAPF) or International Association of Professional Farriers (IAPF).

b. Participants may be a recent farrier school graduate, an AAPF Accredited Farrier (AF)™ or an AAPF Accredited Professional Farrier (APF)™.

c. Participants who complete the “Foundation Credential” will be awarded the notation of “AF-I” or “APF-I” following their name and current Accreditation and/or Certification. Example: Farrier Name CJF APF-I.

d. To participate in the “Stackable Credentialing” program, participants must first successfully complete the “Foundation Credential”. Participants must have shod horses in the discipline being applied for for a minimum of five (5) years.

e. Participants who complete the “Stackable Credentialing” will be award the notation of having earned the Credential for the specific Stackable Credential. Example: Farrier Name CJF APF-I (Reining Credential). Such notations will further be noted as “badges”.

f. Participants in the “Stackable Credentialing” program will also be required to join the association most directly related to the specific Stackable Credential. Example: Reining - National Reining Horse Association; Hunter - Jumper: United States Hunter Jumper Association.

4. Definitions

a. Farrier: A professional in the equine industry who has knowledge and is educated in the following: management, trimming, and shoeing applications of horse’s hooves. Additionally, a Farrier is a key professional in maintaining equine hoof health and performance through any of the following: trimming, fabrication or alteration of horseshoes, application of pads, acrylics, or support materials.

Page ! of ! 2 8



b. AAPF/IAPF Accredited Farrier (AF)™: A Farrier (as defined above) who has been practicing as a farrier for a minimum of two (2) years and subsequently continues to earn 24 AAPF/IAPF approved CE credits per year. A Farrier who has graduated from a farrier school or veterinary college where the owner or instructor is an AAPF/IAPF Regular Member in good standing may qualify for AF status immediately upon graduation. In addition, a Farrier who has less than two (2) years of experience and who has earned the Certified Farrier (CF) status from the American Farrier’s Association, may also qualify for AF status. An AF is a professional in the equine industry who is experienced and educated in the management, trimming, shoeing applications and health of horse’s hooves. The AF will be a Regular Member in good standing with the American & International Associations of Professional Farriers.

c. AAPF/IAPF Accredited Professional Farrier (APF)™: A Farrier (as defined above) who has been practicing as a farrier for a minimum of five (5) years and subsequently continues to earn 24 AAPF approved CE credits per year. Utilizing anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and blacksmithing knowledge and skills, a professional farrier is an integral part in maintaining equine soundness and performance through trimming, and the application of horseshoes, pads, support materials or acrylics, when needed. The APF will continue to be a Regular Member in good standing with the American Association of Professional Farriers.

d. AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential: The Foundation Credential shall be recognition of general hoofcare knowledge. It is a basic level of recognition required for participation in the AAPF/IAPF Credentialing program. Successful completion of the Foundation Credential requires the successful passing of a written examination.

e. AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential: An enhanced level of recognition which requires successful completion of the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential, as well as, the successful passing of a hands-on, written and/or oral examination for a specific discipline, breed, and/or speciality.

f. AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential Mediator: A member of the AAPF/IAPF who has successfully completed the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential, successfully completed at least one (1) AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential and has been shoeing horses in the discipline/breed for which the Mediator is serving for a minimum of ten (10) years. The member shall make application and be subjected to further testing as determined by the Credentialing Committee. Further, the individual must be recommended by the Credentialing Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.

g. AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential Expert: For certain Stackable Credentials, there may

need to be an “expert” who will be able to assist the Mediator in the credentialing process.

h. AAPF Continuing Education Credits: Successful passing of the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential will earn the participating member 24 AAPF Continuing Education Credits. Successful passing of each AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential will earn the participating member 24 AAPF Continuing Education Credits for each Stackable Credential earned by the farrier.

i. Renewal of AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credentials: At a minimum of every three (3) years, the participating farrier will renew his/her specific AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential(s). This will require the attendance at specific discipline, breed, and/or speciality roundtable

Page ! of ! 3 8



discussions at the International Hoof-Care Summit or other designated event or venue. Discussions will focus on changes made during the previous three (3) years relating specifically to the respective discipline, breed, and/or specialty.

5. Member Responsibility - Foundation Credential

a. It shall be the responsibility of the AAPF/IAPF member make application for the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential. Participants will have up to one year from the date of application to complete the Foundation Credential examination. Participants may make request(s) for an extension up to a period of six (6) months.

b. The cost of the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential shall be established annually by the AAPF/IAPF Board of Directors, with recommendations from the Credentialing Committee. The cost of replacing a lost or destroyed Foundation Credential study guide and/or test shall also be established annually by the AAPF/IAPF Board of Directors.

c. Subjects included in the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential may include:

i. Anatomy ii. Basic Horsemanship iii. Basic Shoe Modifications iv. Business v. Clinical vi. Forging vii. Gaits viii. Lameness ix. Nutrition x. Physiology xi. Safety xii. Shoeing xiii. Terms xiv. Tools xv. Other

d. Format of AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential examination may include:

i. Multiple Choice questions ii. True/False questions iii. Fill-in the Blank questions iv. Short Essay

e. Upon receipt of application for AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential, the AAPF/IAPF office staff shall forward to the member:

i. Hard copy of study material (approximately 250 pages). ii. Examination questions. iii. Answer sheets (2 copies) including a self-addressed envelope for the return

of the answer sheet for grading.

f. Prior to returning the completed Answer Sheet to the AAPF/IAPF, the participant should make a copy of the Answer Sheet for his/her records.

Page ! of ! 4 8



g. Upon receipt of the completed Answer Sheet by the AAPF/IAPF, it will be forwarded to designated members of the Credentialing Committee for grading. The AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential examination shall be “open book”. A score of 100% correct will be required to successfully pass the examination.

h. The AAPF/IAPF office staff shall notify the participant of their successful completion of the examination and the awarding of the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential. Notation of the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential shall be added to the records of the AAPF/IAPF, including the membership database and website.

i. Should participants answer 20 or less questions incorrectly, they shall be notified by staff of the questions which they have answered incorrectly. They will then have the opportunity to re-submit the answers to the questions which they have answered incorrectly. Should participants answer more than 20 questions incorrectly, they shall be notified by staff that they have answered more than 20 questions and that they must start over.

j. Successful completion of the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential shall earn the member 24 AAPF Continuing Education Credits.

6. Member Responsibility - Stackable Credential

a. It shall be the responsibility of the AAPF/IAPF member make application for each AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential. Applicants will designate the Discipline/Breed/Specialty they wish to make application for. Prior to an application for a Stackable Credential being submitted, the member must have successfully completed the AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential. In addition, an applicant must have earned a minimum of 24 AAPF Continuing Education credits in the previous 12 months.

b. Participants may only complete one (1) Stackable Credential before proceeding to make application for another Stackable Credential.

c. The cost of each AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential shall be established annually by the AAPF/IAPF Board of Directors, with recommendations from the Credentialing Committee.

d. Each AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential shall require successful completion of:

i. Written Examination (Multiple Choice or True/False). Said examination shall be presented to the member upon receipt of their application. The examination shall be mailed to the applicant. The examination shall include a workbook, exam questions and answer sheet. The answer sheet shall be hand carried by the member to the approved AAPF/IAPF Educational Facility for grading. All AAPF/IAPF Stackable Credential examinations shall be “open book”. A score of 100% correct will be required to successfully pass the examination.

ii. Submission of a minimum of five (5) professional references must be attached to the application of the participant. Of the five (5) references one must be from a veterinarian, one must be from a horse owner or trainer, and one must be from a fellow farrier/mentor. The other two references may be from any other person in the horse industry. Said reference letters must include: name, address,

Page ! of ! 5 8



phone, email, how long have they known the participant, a general description of how the reference person and the participant have worked together (minimum of 100 words), and their signature.

iii. List of Shoe Modifications most seen for this specific Discipline/Breed/Specialty (if applicable)

iv. List of Common Problems and/or Lameness issues most seen for this specific Discipline/Breed/Specialty

e. Specific Discipline/Breed/Specialties may include (this list will grow over time):

i. Carriage Driving ii. Donkeys/Mules iii. Dressage iv. Endurance v. Eventing vi. Foxhunting vii. Hunter / Jumper viii. Mounted Police ix. Nutrition x. Paso Fino xi. Polo xii. Ponies xiii. Racing - Arabian xiv. Racing - Barrel xv. Racing - Quarter Horse xvi. Racing - Standardbred xvii. Racing - Thoroughbred xviii. Reining xix. Show Horses (American Saddlebred, Arabian, Hackney, Morgan, etc.) xx. Steeplechase xxi. Trimming xxii. Farrier / Veterinarian Relations xxiii. Walking Horse xxiv. Work/Draft

f. Topics may include:

i. History of the respective Discipline/Breed/Specialty Association ii. Terms used in the Discipline/Breed/Specialty iii. Rules and Regulations for the Discipline/Breed/Specialty iv. Details about the Membership of the Discipline/Breed/Specialty

7. Educational Facility (Procedure)

a. Participants will be required to bring their own hand tools to the Educational Facility. Forges, anvils, shoe vises, etc. will be supplied by the Educational Facility.

b. Schedule for Specific Credentialing

Page ! of ! 6 8



i. Day One: 1. Oral Review of Discipline/Breed/Specialty Handbook (as provided in

conjunction with the association governing the rules of the Discipline/Breed/Specialty)

2. Oral Review of the Answer Sheet for the Written Examination a. Self-Graded b. Discussion of each question

3. Oral Review of a List of Shoe Modifications 4. Oral Review of Common Problems, Lameness and other issues for the

Discipline/Breed/Specialty 5. Oral Review of Theories of Discipline/Breed/Specialty, including

possible future changes 6. Break-Up into Small Group Roundtable Discussions relating to specific

Discipline/Breed/Specialty 7. Each participant and the Mediator will identify a minimum of two (2)

modifications which the participants will perform and return to the Mediator for grading and further oral review

8. All participants will review all modifications and have an oral discussion of each modification

9. There will be no Live Shoeing 10. The use of a Blacksmith Buddy will be permitted

c. Educational Facilities

i. Educational Facilities will be AAPF/IAPF member approved educational facilities or other locations reviewed by the Credentialing Committee and recommended by same to the Board of Directors for their approval. Each Educational Facility must:

1. Have an adequate number of forging stations (forge, anvil and shoe vise). 2. Be in close proximity to a hotel or other sleeping accommodations

ii. Should a group of farriers wish to host a Educational Facility, they will make application to the AAPF/IAPF. The Credentialing Committee will review their application and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors that the applicant may serve as an Educational Facility.

iii. Each Educational Facility will work with the AAPF/IAPF Office to have at least one AAPF Specific Discipline/Breed/Specialty Mediator (& Expert if needed) present for the credentialing of the specific Discipline/Breed/Specialties at each location.

8. Applications

a. A fully completed AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential Application shall include the following information:

i. Farrier Contact Information (Name, Address, Phone, Email, Member #)

ii. Applicable Payment

b. A fully completed AAPF/IAPF specific Stackable Credential Application shall include the

Page ! of ! 7 8



following information:

i. Farrier Contact Information (Name, Address, Phone, Email, Member #)

ii. Date of Successful Completion of AAPF/IAPF Foundation Credential

iii. Name of specific Stackable Credential being applied for

iv. Applicable Payment

Page ! of ! 8 8

Documents

American Association of Professional Farriers Inc