Frequently Asked Questions
The IAPF's platform includes "Transparency" of the association to its members and others in the industry. We offer this page to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the association.
Click on a subject heading below to view questions and answers relating to your selection. Links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our website or from other sources.
IAPF Definition of Farrier: "A professional in the equine industry who has the 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".
IAPF POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING FARRIER LICENSING:
The IAPF Board of Directors wishes to confirm its position on the topic of farrier licensing. Never since its inception in February 2011, has the AAPF taken a position of being in favor or showing support for farrier licensing.
Further, we have chosen Accreditation as our choice to highlight dedicated farriers and provide the platform for Continuing Education. It is the IAPF's opinion that licensing is intended to control, whereas Accreditation promotes and illustrates accomplishments and dedication. Since farriery is a balance of art, science, and technology, and it is a proven fact there are several ways to successfully shoe a horse, we feel our platform allows farriers to excel and succeed.
Our primary focus has been and will continue to be four-fold:
- Continuing Education (for all farriers and others involved in the farrier industry)
- Inclusivity (welcoming all farriers to join our membership)
- Transparency (making all aspects of the association available for our membership to know and view)
- Member Support (providing support and promotion of our members
IAPF POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS ISSUED BY OTHER ASSOCIATIONS:
The IAPF recognizes and will promote all Certifications and Honors received from other farrier associations and boards. Our membership database will include the abbreviations for these certifications and honors. Furthermore, this information will be posted on our member profiles so that when horse owners are searching for a farrier they can search based upon levels of Certification.
IAPF POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING CONTINUING EDUCATION:
Our Continuing Education Credits can be obtained from venues anywhere in the world. Venues can vary from a wide array of topics from anatomy, physiology, bio-mechanics, forging contests, and symposiums to business courses.
Obtaining AAPF/IAPF CE credits is easy. All you need to do is ask your farrier association, supply store or clinic of interest to apply for CE credits through the AAPF website prior to the event you wish to attend.
The form can be found on our website at: http://www.professionalfarriers.com/resource/resmgr/links/aapf_ce_application-fillable.pdf
A simple one-page application with clinic contact information along with a detailed topic schedule for the day(s) of the clinic is all that is needed. Once this is submitted, the CE Committee will review it and award CE Credits. The AAPF/IAPF will then list this and help promote the event through the AAPF/IAPF website and Facebook page.
Our Calendar of Events features a special AAPF/IAPF CE logo which clearly identifies events that have applied for and received AAPF/IAPF CE Credits. We are pleased to promote and advertise the clinic and encourage our members to attend.
IAPF POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING PROMOTION OF MEMBERS:
One way the IAPF intends to promote its farriers is through its website. Horse Owners are encouraged to visit the site to use the "Search for Farriers" feature. They'll be able to key in any word or group of words to search for farriers in a geographical area, specific discipline or with a level of Accreditation or other association's Certification. There is also an entire tab devoted specifically to horse owners, including their own Forum where they can share their ideas about farriery.
In addition, the IAPF vision includes promoting its members through various breed associations, disciplines and other equine activities. IAPF committees are forming to create alliances that will be utilized to enhance communication with these organizations that feed information to the horse owners about our farrier services.
Promotion through veterinary resources will also allow our members to enhance farrier and veterinarian relationships, while encouraging other equine professionals to recognize the professionalism of IAPF farriers.
IAPF POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING FUNDING THE ASSOCIATION:
Questions regarding the funding source for the IAPF are often asked.
At the inception, each founding member contributed $1,000 each to become members. This money was used to pay start-up costs including contractual services of a part-time consultant. Other expenses included the initial development of the website. NO monies or any other contributions were given, assumed or used.
A "soft-launch" was held in mid-December 2011. Membership dues were received and deposited in an account. A full accounting of that account is posted on the IAPF website under the "Members Only" section.
A breakdown of revenue sources for our 2012 Budget:
Membership Dues - 90%
Farrier Assistance Fund - 1.5%
Website Advertisements - 8 %
Embroidered Clothing - 0.5%
The 2012 - 2020 Budgets, current Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheets are posted on the Members Only section for all members to review at their convenience.
Click here for the Profit & Loss Statement showing the initial funding sources and expenses prior to the launch. We want to have every interested party know that the association was funded exclusively by the Founding Board Members and no outside resources were accepted from any manufacturer, distributor or retail supplier.