The Natural Angle: Working to Certification Standards

The AFA BOOKLET “Guidelines for Evaluating Farrier Competitions and Certifications” is a useful tool in preparation for certification testing. However, its value doesn't end there. Understanding and applying these principles to your everyday shoeing can greatly improve your overall farrier skills - and your income.

The guidelines for foot preparation look for a flat, solid and level hoof wall, of uniform thickness with no excessive rasping or paring of the sole, frog or bars. Following these guidelines preserves the strength and integrity of the hoof. The hoof, pastern and shoulder angle should be the same to maintain the horse's natural structural balance.

The determination of proper hoof balance can be one of the most subjective areas of certification. However, the guidelines: the horse stands in the middle of the hoof, the coronary band is level and the foot lands flat on the ground in motion- provide for a hoof properly balanced for most circumstances.


Checking for balance, foot should be in center of limb. View down leg from behind is one check point.	Notice sole and frog prep - be careful not to over pare frog or sole. Clean up any ragged edges of frog and leave smooth surface to sole.	Shoe is fit to perimeter of foot. Nails are not behind widest point.

When addressing shoe quality, the guidelines are looking for a shoe that is level and flat in all aspects, so as not to compromise the balanced hoof wall achieved with proper hoof prep. It should be forged to relieve sole pressure with the nail holes properly located (between the toe and quarters) to allow for hoof expansion. The proper fit of the nails is important to prevent shoe slippage. The smooth finish of the shoe lessens the chance of injury to horse or handler, while the tool control you develop to attain this finish greatly contributes to your overall shoeing efficiency.

The guidelines for shoe fit are looking for a shoe that does not put pressure on the sole and allows for proper support and expansion of the hoof. While expansion and heel length are subjective, the "thickness of a dime" guidelines results in a correct shoe fit for many horses. Most testers will be quick to tell you that this fit guideline is not always what works best in the field, but it is important to minimize the subjectivity of the testing process. Correct nailing looks for nails 1/3 of the way up the wall with uniform, square and properly aligned clinches, for maximum strength and security.

The hoof should be finished smooth with no rasp marks or sharp edges. This serves several purposes; it lessens the chance of self-injury to the horse, maintains the protective integrity of the hoof, and provides a more visually pleasing, professional finish to the shoeing. Your owners soon notice the results of this effort to provide a better finish. In fact, this may be all that they see.

As the name indicates, the AFA booklet provides guidelines for evaluating shoeing in testing and competition settings. Some guidelines are correct for all situations; others are more subjective. But there have to be standards established for testing and competitions. The important point here is to know that application of many of these guidelines in your everyday shoeing will serve you well. By understanding and gaining proficiency in these basic standards; ideal for many horses, under many circumstances; you will build a strong foundation and base of support for your practice. This foundation will prove invaluable as you branch into more specialized circumstances.


Nail placement should be as even as possible 1/3 up the wall and in a good line.		Finish is critical and points can be some of the easiest if you make sure not to leave rasp marks or unclean areas. A finish file and a sanding block are very useful tools.

Bobby Menker of Findlay, Ohio has been shoeing since 1979. He is an active member of the Mid-Eastern Farriers Association and American Farrier's Association. Bobby has been consistently involved in efforts to bring more educational opportunities to farriers. He has recently been named a tester for the AFA Certification program and has done a number of certification clinics.

Nail fit is checked for keg shoes and hand made shoes. Don't assume nail fit is automatic in keg shoes. Your choice of shoes for certified level can impact on this scoring point.