A BWFA flashback reminds us why we chose the BWFA.

Article from Anvil Magazine dated July, 1991. 

Thoughts While Thinking by Jeff Rodriguez

    During a recent Rocky Mountain Farrier Association meeting the topic of the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association and "their" activities in "our" area was brought to the floor. While most of us had little factual information, we readily engaged in a little BWFA bashing. After a few negative, uniformed comments, one of our members, Tony Hughes, stood up and said something that bears repeating. Paraphrasing, Tony said that it seemed to him that any group of farriers that were trying to organize to improve themselves and their craft were people we should be helping not ridiculing. With that statement, Tony earned my respect and caused me to reconsider my attitude and the issues. 

    Before I arrive at answers, I like to be sure I'm asking the right questions. My first question was what does the BWFA offer prospective members that the American Farriers Association does not? Why would farriers choose the BWFA instead of the AFA? Is there room for two nationally based farrier organizations? Will the overall interest of farriery, and the horse industry, be better served by two organizations? 

    Whew! These are some large questions, with enormous long term implications. Although Henry Ford said, "History is mostly bunk," I find looking back a useful way to anticipate the future. For instance…
    Did you ever consider that every year the marketplace at the AFA convention has more high quality tools available? Ever realize that each year a company or two is absent…defunct…el-foldo? That's because farriers are fully capable of recognizing something new that will better serve their needs, and are not afraid to make the change. 

    In the early seventies some Southern nut named Turner announced he was going to transform a local cable television station (Cable?) into a "Superstation". Just to prove he'd swallowed too many peach pits he said that if the Superstation worked he was going to create a 24 hour news station, which would also be available on the cable. (cable? This is obviously the kind of guy who thinks he can have a relationship with Jane Fonda.) Well, good 'ol Ted went to the network T.V. powers and offered them a chance for a joint venture, but of course these fat cats knew he was crazy,  so they had a meeting and amongst themselves they laughed at him. Now they buy their news from him. 

    When I was in high school you could buy a new Volkswagen bug for $1240.00 (When Rusty Brown was in high school, they had wooden wheels). Sure, they were as ugly and comfortable as a boil (and only slightly faster), but they found a niche in the market and were an enormous success. By the early seventies Datsuns and Toyotas began to arrive in the parking lots. Oh yes, they were better looking and more comfortable. Volkswagens response was to leave the Bugs unchanged so commanding their market share (while the Nixon administration surcharged them out of their low price advantage). What happened, you ask? Well, suffice it to say that you can no longer purchase a Bug. 

    So…before we guffaw ourselves into oblivion, I say we sober up and not underestimate the BWFA. Since I'm an AFA guy my primary concern is over our certification program, which I feel is the cornerstone of our existence. I'm concerned the public will be confused over two certifying bodies and be unable to discern the differences between the two programs. I fear this confusion will nullify the positive strides the AFA has made and diminish the value of our certification. 

    I'm also very concerned that if we allow ourselves to form enemy camps we'll only hurt ourselves in the long term. The damage will come from the public watching us spat, reinforcing all the negative perceptions we've worked so hard to overcome. I'm a pretty active volunteer supporter of the AFA, and I know full well that there is a limited amount of volunteer energy at our disposal. It seems to me negativity is like driving a speeding car, not only is it unwise, but it consumes more energy and increases the chance of a breakdown. 

    So…what I think I need is factual, verifiable information to help me make more informed decisions and better conduct myself. I ashamedly admit that I have both listened to and made anti-BWFA remarks, but I'm gonna stop. The absolute last thing practicing farriers (both AFA and BWFA members) need to do is run each other down. It's contrary to our mission, which is to help and support each other. 

    Here's a suggested plan; let's use the ANVIL Magazine as a forum to air our views and concerns, as well as respond to questions about our organizations. Our rules will be to be polite and limit our statements to documented, verifiable information. Heck, I'm in so deep now I might as well start the ball rolling…

    Question #1 -What are the origins of the BWFA? Who are the officers and what are their backgrounds? Are they elected?
    Question #2 -How does the BWFA govern and manage itself? How do they raise operating capitals? Who decides how it's spent? Who accounts for it? 
    Question #3 -What are the differences in our respective certification programs? How does the BWFA conduct its testing? How do they choose their examiners?
    Remember, if you choose to participate we don't want to hear "stories" submitted evidence. Let's keep to facts, not innuendo (which Myron McLane insists is an Italian suppository). 

    Don't let the mirth fool you, these are important issues. A mature organization like the AFA needs to question itself, and a new organization like the BWFA should be able to respond to these questions. 

    O.K. folks, let her rip. 

    
On Behalf of the BWFA:

    This letter, in whole, is a response to the article, previously printed in the July issue of the Anvil Magazine, by Jeff Rodriguez, entitled, "Thoughts while Thinking." The topic was the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association. I would like to thank Jeff and also Rob Edwards for the opportunity to respond. I realize my response is very lengthy; however, as stated in Jeff's article, and I quote, "These are some large questions with enormous long-term implications."

    Let me say before I answer Mr. Rodriguez' questions that I praise some of your statements made in your article. I praise the fact that you had made anti-BWFA remarks, ashamedly and are "Going to stop". I think this takes a big man to make such a statement. I salute you, but Jeff, we have to both take a closer look. If it weren't for men like Tony Hughes to remind us of what our missions are, we might all be in trouble. 

    I have never been anti-AFA but I do disagree with some of the AFA policies. In your letter you said you were an "AFA Guy". Well, I publicly state that I am not just a "BWFA Guy". It plainly states in the BWFA pledge; I will support the BWFA and farriery industry by barring discrimination and criticism in any way towards any individual, educator, school, organization, fellow member of working farrier. I will support those who are attempting to make the farriery trade his or her professional business. This is a pledge that must be signed by any individual before becoming a member of the BWFA. There are no stipulations in the BWFA guidelines that prevent a member to associate with any other farrier association.

    I will try to answer your questions as openly and honestly as I possibly can, trying very hard not to offend anyone. 

    You asked, "Why should a farrier choose the BWFA instead of the AFA?" I will answer this question in part with a question. "Why should an individual in the United States choose to be a Democrat or Republican?" It is just difference in opinions. Fortunately, farriers now have a choice to make, which I don't think is a bad idea, but actually a good idea. You asked "Is there room for two nationally based farrier organizations?" Jeff, if there is room for Democrats and Republicans, there is room for two farrier associations. I think it has already done some good. Democrats and Republicans are working for the betterment of our country, I feel, though, the AFA and BWFA are different in some opinions; however, we are working for some of the same goals.  

    You also said that your certification program was the cornerstone of the AFA's existence. I do not feel that our certification is the cornerstone of our existence. I feel that 'education' is our foundation. If we get the farriers educated, they won't have any problems taking high-level tests. 

    You also stated that you were concerned that if we were to allow ourselves to form enemy camps, we would only hurt ourselves in the long term. I fully agree with this statement and I feel this article that you have written has opened the doors for some good sound thinking.

    You asked about the origin of the BWFA, this information is included in our printed literature as follows: The BFA, or Brotherhood of Farriers Association, was originally formed on December 10, 1901 by the late Talmadge Young, Bob L. Casey, and Elliot Sams. It was formed for the sole purpose of having an organization where a person would not be discriminated upon learning the horseshoeing trade sue to his former public education. In July of 1989, the work 'working' was added to be known today as the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association. The BWFA Master Educators was formed by a group of concerned horseshoeing school owners, along with the members of the BWFA. The purpose of forming the BWFA Master Educators is to allow the owner a more powerful voice in the direction of the horseshoeing industry. 

    A Constitution and Bylaws govern these activities of this Association. These provide for a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and a board of directors. The background of the officers are career farriers, some having degrees in business, engineering, Ph.D. and Financial Management. All officers are elected into office except when appointed to fill a vacancy until the next election. Elections take place every four and five years. 

    The financial affairs are controlled by the Board of Directors who are: Jack Hysinger, as Chairman; Tony Phillips, Cyle Hames, Thomas Whaley, Tom Kennedy, Marcus Pierce, Bill Burgee, Steve Standidge, Russell Isaacs, and Herb Schneider. The members of the board are elected into office for four-year terms, having no fewer than two and always an even number of members. The Board members execute the Bylaws and Financial affairs of this Association. All officers and board of directors' members serve without compensation except for the full-time working Director who received a sum decided upon by the Board of Directors. The financial records are the responsibility of the secretary and treasurer, with service provided by a certified public accounting firm. Operating capital is obtained by way of continued annual dues from members, educational clinic proceeds, donations, gifts, fund-raising programs and grants. 

    The Master Educators are owners of horseshoeing schools or persons who have had at least one year of teaching experience in farriery. This division allows for a President, Mr. Bucky Hatfield; and Vice-President, Jack Roth. Master Educator members are listed in our literature. These members are responsible for designing the farrier certification testing procedures of the BWFA. 

    To continue answering your questions, you asked me "What does the BWFA have to offer that the AFA does not?"
    1. The BWFA has a full-time paid director.
    2. We have an 'Honorary Gold Card' membership requiring no dues for farriers 55 years of age and older. 
    3. We have a -National Farrier Referral Program.
    4. We also have a two-party governing system. 
    5. We have a 'Love Offering' fund for Injured Farriers.
    6. We also have at this time, eleven levels of certification and a higher certification for the full-time working farrier. We feel that if we can get the farrier in at some level without offending him that he will want to attend educational clinics to further his education and skills. Like it or not, we have to look at the truth. 
               Many farriers are insulted when they fail a test. The truth of the matter is that some of them will not return to re-test, but will simply go on and continue to shoe horses, possibly incorrectly. There is an old saying Jeff-  "You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar." Here again, these are just opinions. However, opinions won't pay the bills. By taking people in at lower certification levels, this will generate revenue for the overall educational programs. 
    7. We also have more testers, making it more accessible for farriers all over the country to be tested in their own home states, which brings me to another one of your questions
        -"How do we choose our testers?" (as you refer to examiners). We choose them as carefully as we can. We examine their backgrounds; each tester must be a full-time farrier and have been working full-time for five years prior to membership. The attitude, ability sensitivity and their simple common sense play an important role in finding qualified testers. However, this is not enough and we continue to make changes to better the organization as a whole. Farrier certification testings are held individually with a tester or in groups at clinics. 
    8. We have an open membership, allowing horseowners to join in our 'Horseowner Division' as voting members. 
        A 'Horseowner Director' is assigned to each state to help promote the BWFA and the educational clinics to fellow horseowners in their state, allowing for a 'center of information'. 
    9. We also have an educational plan for the horseshoeing school owners, wherein if they belong to the BWFA as Master Educators, they are required to participate in a three-day school, once a year, working together to improve the overall teaching programs offered by the horseshoeing schools. 
    10. Most important, we offer the farrier with little or no formal public education, a chance to improve his knowledge and skills as a craftsman. We encourage that all BWFA testers, master educators, and members open their doors to help each other in a "Brotherly" manner. 
    We continue to adopt new programs and to make changes that are needed for a rapidly growing association and for continuing education in the farrier industry. I have tried to answer your questions as openly and honestly as I possibly can. I welcome the opportunity to speak to any farrier groups to answer questions or to elaborate further. 

Brotherhood of Working
Farriers Association

Farrier Licensing: Still a hot topic.

It has always been the stance of the BWFA to oppose farrier licensing. Click below to find out why.

First Members Only Announcement

June 30, 2015

To: BWFA Members Only Interactive News Feed Section of the website

From: Link Casey, BWFA President

Re: This is the first Members Only Announcement

Our website is going through a change into a new program and format.  Our past history will eventually be included in the new design. 

Our BWFA Facebook page is public and therefore open to anyone and everyone who wants to connect with the BWFA but has gone far past just farrier assistance and meeting members to of course a social network….which is what is it.

By updating our website we are able to offer members more exclusive content intended for those who are active in the association and who desire the space to learn from one another as a part of our "brotherhood" as opposed to Facebook groups and online forums were negative comments and criticism are common. These are not the things that raise the standards of our industry and promote our trade. We are here to raise each other up and share ideas and information. Our "Members Only" interactive news feed is here for this purpose.

The Members Only Section is just that….members only news, comments, articles, questions, answers that members only would like to submit.  We will start this off by saying thank you for continuing your membership with the BWFA. 

Our history shows that it was a hard struggle at first in 1989 to get the BWFA off the ground. Then again it wasn’t. Not hundreds but thousands of farriers joined a new type of association and were eager to lend a helping hand. This of course was before the fax machine was available in homes. I remember those days as a young person travelling around from state to state with my parents promoting it at fun events.  I have grown up with other farriers who's parents were a big part of this volunteer farrier association. 

As the men and woman, school owners, TESTERS and Board Members have grown older, many have retired, several have passed on and as life changes, so does this association.  I was encouraged to put my name in as BWFA President from the suggestion of the many farriers before me, the board and from the farriers that I have met by teaching in the last eight years.  Many are around my age, certainly those who want to be successful as farriers.  Members who joined back in the 80’s and 90’s are now the “seasoned farriers”, the masters if you may, who can offer their experience to the newer farriers. I personally want to hear from them more often; after all, they have made this their profession.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Ron Jacobs receiving his BWFA Certification with Link Casey, BWFA President.

I have had the fortunate opportunity to recently work with a lot of Military Veterans as they are searching for new careers. I have visited several states on my own time to talk with (and many times hunt with) various members about how the younger generation would like to pursue their future.  To know our future, you should know our past.  

A little history...
Our first convention in 1992 as the BWFA was in Ashville, North Carolina organized by what later became the S.H.O.E. Chapter headed by Marcus Pierce and his Carolina group. That “other” organization had farriers out in the parking lot telling people to go away and not attend this new groups meeting. That backfired on them, because this encouraged more to attend.  

                                                       Burney Chapman

Then in 1993 in Texarkana, the word was out and everyone wanted to come out and be part of the only Master Educator School Student Contest. 15 schools participated. They had a golf tournament, an ole West shoot out at the OK Corral, plenty of good food and friendships were made.  The office received a call from Burney Chapman of Texas that he was coming over and what time would we like him to give his lecture. (He was not a member…yet.)  The office told him we didn’t pay the speakers. That was fine with him because he wanted to get in on this new group. (He was later inducted into the BWFA Hall of Fame) for his generosity at every event.  

Then the Convention came to Georgia, hosted by the Farrier’s National Research Center at the BWFA Headquarters. By a show of hands of participants year after year, the convention remained here for several years. Master Educator School Owners would bring their students. The vendors filled the walls of the building and tents outside. Good food and good fellowship was found by all. The last good convention was in 2010, since then many of our Educators and Hall of Fame guests have become ill or passed on. Farriers were hit with high diesel fuel and travel expenses and the economy was slow.  We then packed up and traveled to the Kentucky Horse Park for a one day convention. 

We need to get the excitement back.

It is election time for Board Members and time to form Committees by the end of 2015 to have a successful 2016 and end it with a Convention.

 As the bylaws state, we are announcing this at least 60 days in advance and will accept volunteers  to submit their own names with an introduction paragraph on “How I can help promote the BWFA Membership to others and contribute to my official position.” by any means that you may have experienced it. Whether it be online, clinics in your home state, at shows, by calling your farrier friends, being a planner with the convention, help with advertising, etc. All of these duties are never hired out to other companies; it comes from within the membership on a Volunteer basis. No one is paid, not even the speakers.

Our current Board of Directors has a history behind them which makes their advice important.  For many years, 12-15 people have carried this load.   It is time to develop more working committees, to get more everyday “members” involved.  This is carrying on the tradition to include the “every day working farrier” and not just the most popular.

Aflac Accidental Insurance Policies are discounted for BWFA Members!

Since 2000, we have worked with several Aflac representatives to continue our discounted rates.  Members are encouraged to contact our newest Georgia rep to be sure they get that good rate or their own Aflac rep in their local area. Aflac is everywhere!
Not enough members are taking advantage of this plan.

For as little as $30.00 a month in most cases, an individual can have an accidental policy that will help pay some bills if or when that minor accident occurs, from cut fingers to broken bones and so on.

It’s not IF a Farrier will have an accident….it’s WHEN will a Farrier have an accident !

Policies are simple and easy to complete right over the phone !

(l to r) New BWFA Certified Member and AFLAC policy holder, Clayton Chapman, BWFA President Link Casey with our new Georgia AFLAC District Sales Coordinator, Jeremy Harden who visited the BWFA Headquarters in June 2015. He introduced the plans with 9 new BWFA certified farriers and renewed a policy for Link; who has used his several times.

AFLAC contact information:
Jeremy A Harden
Dalton, Georgia 30720
(706) 218-5204   cell
jeremy_harden@us.aflac.com