In Memory of our good friend Billy Fortner, July 26, 2022

It gives us much sorrow, to announce that our good friend Billy Fortner of Ballground, Georgia has gone to heaven, leaving behind his beloved and very loved wife Kathy Fortner. It is hard to write up our feelings of admiration for Billy. Many of us were at his funeral where Ralph Casey spoke of their friendship and shared a part of his life that others may not have known about.

Billy and Kathy were one of the very first we met back in 1990 when the farriers got together to form the BWFA and then again, the FNRC. Together, they were part of those who put their hands and business knowledge to work to “build the actual buildings.” They own and operate their own electrical company, B & R Electric. Working hard for a living with his son, William, and a crew, they were in the thick of progress all around them with the tremendous growth in Canton, Marietta north of Atlanta areas. But, not too busy, to help plan, execute and enjoy the results of events held by the BWFA at the FNRC.

Kathy heads up our NEHRF as the President. An animal lover herself, is what brought she and Billy to us. Their story is, the BWA published a simple booklet for horse owners, “Why Horse Owners Should use Certified Horseshoers and Why!” They were distributed by fellow farriers and owners. One was at a produce market in Canton, where Kathy picked it up and immediately called us that day.  Finding out there was an actual location where she could take her horse for a free evaluation, she was here the very next day with Billy. Her infamous pet, Cisco, was a rather large quarter horse with a problem walking.

We talked to them, and immediately made friends. They left him over for 5 days. When they returned, Cisco came running to them. Kathy was so happy, she cried that made all of us cry with joy. Billy was so impressed with how we explained what we did, he wanted to be part of our new venture of building the only Farriers’ National Research Center owned by caring horse owners and farriers. 

In return for their contributions of materials, labor and just caring, the farrier Instructors and students traveled 80 miles round trip every 6-8 weeks to trim, shoe and care for Kathy’s many horses through the years from 1990 until December 2019, as a return favor for their dedication. A lot of BWFA farriers visited their place and were always met with cheerful smiles, a tour around and well wishes in their new farrier careers. That would be about 2,000 students in 33 years! Who can say that?

Billy and Kathy were never controversial in their views of the farrier industry. Always having a positive attitude which encouraged so many more horse owners, farriers’ spouses, etc. to join us for a good educational time. They designed and maintained the beautiful Hall of Fame room at the FNRC. Billy and Kathy Fortner and 12 others were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005 in appreciation to their commitments for a better farrier industry.

Billy said, “I do this because it makes my wife happy. She loves her animals and that makes me happy.”

All of us who knew Billy, celebrate his life, give our thoughts of sympathy and caring out to Kathy, his son and family. He was obviously loved by all who attended his funeral services and followed the long line of cars to his resting place, passing by their beautiful horse farm where his friend was holding his favorite horse at the front gate to give his last goodbye, which was chilling.  On a more personal note, Billy was almost age 76. At the age of 60, he was saved and baptized at a small church near his home which is where he was laid to rest. His friends and neighbors knew him best as someone always with a smile and just happy about life and especially about finding God. He is in heaven. We loved him. We love you Kathy, and what a great friendship we had and will continue to have.

Submitted on behalf of the Board of Directors of the BWFA, FNRC, NEHRF and BWFA farriers everywhere

Ralph, Ginger and Link Casey

Please feel free to reach out to Kathy Fortner at fortner@mindspring.com

Our Good Friend, Cowboy and BWFA Hall of Famer, Rick Wheat Passes

“My name is Rick Wheat. I’m just thankful to be able to stand up and say I’m glad the Lord saved my soul.” These words were spoken every Sunday morning in his senior years by a silver-headed Cowboy in a little church in the Ozark Mountains of Douglas County, Missouri during “testimony” time. He held the front of the pew as he raised his broken body that had seen its fair share of the “cowboy way of life”. His gentle, yet firmly spoken words gave testimony to the nature of his character, his values, and to the very heart of a man who recognized his need for a Savior.

Read more

Casey Visits with BWFA Member Johnny Smith

Casey visits with BWFA member Johnny Smith and wife Brenda, owners of Sugar Creek Carriage Company of Nashville, TN on 10.6.2021 to talk over shoeing the Big Boys like this Draft Molly Mule named Pearl.

Johnny has been a member for 30 years and is the only current carriage company that has survived in popular Nashville. A graduate of OHS who loves his trade, his family, his drivers and his beautiful big horses.

He attended the BWFA clinics to achieve our only Carriage Driver Certificate back in 1991 and has participated in the FNRC research since opening day. Thank you, Johnny

South Eastern Farriers & Horseowners Association Meeting

SEFHA Meeting information sent from BWFA Tester and Chapter President David Tuggle:

September 21, 2019 - The Cowboy Competition will be held at Tuggle Farm -
5392 Old Richmond Rd Danville, VA. The Competition will begin promptly at
10:00 AM. The event is open to all to participate. It will be free for members or
$25 for non-members (this fee will include a 1 year membership to SEFHA).
Spectators welcome at no charge. Please bring a folding chair. Members are
asked to bring a side dish or dessert or both.

October 19, 2019 - The Helping Hands Clinic will be held at Tuggle Farm - 5392
Old Richmond Rd Danville, VA. The Clinic will begin at 10:00 AM and is open to
all. This clinic is also free to members or $25 for non-members (this fee will
include a 1 year membership to SEFHA). Spectators are also welcome to this
event at no charge and are asked to bring a folding chair. Members are asked to
bring a side dish or dessert or both.

November 8-10 - Wiseman Farms will be hosting a Mindy Bower Advanced
Horsemanship clinic. Spaces are limited so contact Randall Wiseman asap if
interested in participating.

We are still accepting names for the 2019 Colt Starting Challenge that will be held on February 15-16, 2020.

Guest speaker, Kristen Worsham shared her story about flaws in the Pittsylvania County Offices that have rendered horse owners and farm owners from constructing proper facilities for their animals. She is running for County Administrator to help improve certain situations for citizens.

Leslie Keck suggested incorporating a Helping Hands Clinic into our Christmas Party.

8:00 PM Meeting adjourned.

Remembering 9/11

9/11 STAIR CLIMBS

The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs are not timed race events, but a way for firefighters and the community to honor and remember the FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live.

Each participant pays tribute to a FDNY firefighter by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Your individual tribute not only remembers the sacrifice of an FDNY brother, but symbolically completes their heroic journey to save others. Through firefighter and community participation we can ensure that each of the 343 firefighters is honored and that the world knows that we will never forget. The proceeds of these events help the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation create and maintain programs that support fire service survivors. Your support of the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb events provides assistance to the surviving families and co-workers of the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.

Click here for full article

Upgrade Your BWFA Certification Level

 This is the year to upgrade your
 BWFA Farrier Certification Level

 

As dedicated dues paying BWFA members,
allow yourself the opportunity and take the time to upgrade to the next level. 

Click HERE to see the Certification Guidelines.
Please review them and see where you are in your farrier career  

The original BWFA TESTERS and Master Educator School Owners, “our Mentors” are making changes
in their own careers and some have deceased.

Don’t wait till later……

BWFA Testing at ALL Levels is always offered
at the Georgia location, with a commitment.
…or we can refer you to an
active TESTER or School closest to you.

A Hobby Turns Into A Career

Becoming a farrier was nothing short of a spur of the moment decision for CCCHS senior, Ben Young.

Aside from focusing on school and clubs, Young runs a business as a farrier in his spare time. A farrier is a craftsman who trims and shoes horses’ hooves. Although Young had his mother as a role model in order to become successful in animal care, it wasn’t until he was fourteen that he knew he wanted to pursue a career in farrier work. After Young’s own horses started becoming lame, he started research into farriery in an effort to treat them. Success with his horses led him to decide to make a career of caring for horses.

Young states, “Eighty-nine percent of all horse health issues happen in the lower limb. That 89% is what I am trained to treat.” After being certified with The Brotherhood of Working Farrier Association, or BWFA, Young began working as an apprentice with more experienced farriers.Young also received his EFT, or Equine Flexion Therapy certification. The EFT certification allows Young to perform therapy on horses in order to keep them more flexible and comfortable, aligning the spine without chiropractic adjustments and addressing the muscles that control the skeleton.

It wasn’t until 2017 that his work started to flourish, causing him to work harder than before. More recently, Young has submitted and completed research regarding, “Navicular,” or, “Navicular Syndrome.” Navicular Syndrome, also known as Navicular Disease, most commonly describes an inflammation or degeneration of the navicular bone and its surrounding tissues, usually on the front feet. This disease can lead to significant and even disabling lameness. Young’s research may prove paramount in treating this serious disease.

Despite his age, Young overcame the doubt he faced, pushing forward with the encouragement of his instructor, certified Master Farrier and Master Educator, Link Casey. When asked if he would recommend working as a farrier to others, Young replied, “I would for a certain type of person.” According to Young, being a farrier is one of those careers where “You can set your own hours, or work when you want, as some people put it. Even though I don’t completely agree with that statement, I work twice as hard because of it; it is worth it in my opinion. But anyone that is successful working for themselves would tell you the same thing. If you can manage your time extremely well and aren’t afraid to put yourself out there to make tough business decisions, then I would highly recommend it.”

Working as a farrier has bettered him, in the sense that he has the satisfaction of being able to help people and horses.  Young states that his favorite part of working as a farrier is, “Being able to see people with a lame horse and have it sound again.”
By: Katie Sudberry
https://coffeepresschs.com/1177/news/archives/a-hobby-turns-into-a-career/

Remembering Our Good Friend John H. Marino of Peaster, Texas. October 16, 1934  -  March 18, 2019    Age: 84

Remembering Our Good Friend
John H. Marino of Peaster, Texas.
October 16, 1934  -  March 18, 2019    Age: 84

John was clearly an icon in the Farrier Industry among Farriers and product manufacturers.

Our first personal meeting was in 1989 when we visited Elmer Seybold at his Ranch and School in Mineral Wells, Texas. We were there with Casey & Bucky Hatfield to discuss the BWFA which formed the BWFA Master Educator Division. Our friendships were formed that day.  

We returned to Texas for clinics in the future, John attended our clinics and conventions as a clinician, vendor and owner of JHM Manufacturing. John was a behind the scenes advisor and friend to the BWFA Board.

Here’s a story about John Marino, we ordered a truck load of anvils and stands from JHM. John told me over the phone, “This 100lb Certifier will be the last one that I personally polish here in Texas!” It was such an honor that we didn’t want to use and abuse it, so we kept it on display.

Due to his generous nature of helping others at clinics and younger Farrier students we were more than proud to vote him into the BWFA Farriers Hall of Fame in 2004. We proudly placed his photo over the JHM anvil & stand. Upon the acceptance day, he grinned from ear to ear to see it on display. It was a proud moment for all of us.

As his knees got worse, we would drive him around the property. Everyone wanted to have photos taken with him. John was humble and kind to all. We have two of his signature “American Flag Hats” he would sign. And we can’t leave out Marsha Marino! A gem of a businesswoman and friend. She helped in the convention office organizing the raffles and whatever we needed. You see, all BWFA events were organized by Volunteers and they were great Volunteers! Those were fun and friendly times!

We prepared a slideshow of his photos on his BWFA Hall of Fame page for Marsha, family and friends as a permanent remembrance of a Sweetheart of a Man, John H. Marino of Peaster, Texas.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO HIS SLIDE SHOW IN THE BWFA HALL OF FAME YEAR 2004

Farrier Clinics In Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado And Northern New Mexico.

Randy Cate is a Certified Journeyman Farrier & Member of the Farrier's National Research Center. He is a semi-retired farrier and horse trainer.  He is compassionate and caring when it comes to treating horses, including those that are lame and foundered.

Randy uses a trimming (or shoeing) technique on the hoof that relieves the pain and discomfort of horses that are lame (for a number of reasons, including founder) and has helped get horses back on their feet again, walking and even running. He says its just plain common sense........to him maybe.......after working with horses since 1973. 

Today the focus is on the health of the horses hooves, and providing gentle, dependable care.  Please contact the number below if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to attend one of his monthly clinics throughout Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Northern New Mexico.

You can call Randy at 417-880-3868. 
Check out his website at: http://www.helpmylamehorse.net

Farrier & Wrangler Wanted On Colorado Ranch

Howdy Ginger,

We have contacted you in the past and you were kind enough to post our job opening for a farrier/wrangler at your school.  We are again looking for one additional farrier to add to our staff this summer.  Here is some additional information on our ranch and the job.

We have a summer guest and working ranch in Colorado and we are looking for a recent or soon to be graduate farrier to work at our ranch this summer.

We own around 120 head of horses and have found that we can provide an excellent opportunity for a newly trained farrier to get under a number of horses and further develop their skills and training. This gives them a good head start to begin their own business.

This position we are offering also entails wrangling horses, teaching horseback riding, guest entertainment and a number of other activities all based in a great mountain environment.  All of our employees live and work on the ranch.  The position can pay between $11000 to $14000  for the summer with minimal expenses.  My family has been in business for 40 years and have had a number of horseshoers get their start with us over the years.  They would be working with other experienced farriers including ourselves.  We do have two other full time farriers on staff so we do not expect this candidate to take the load of the entire horse herd by themselves.

If you have any students who might be interested in a great summer here in the Colorado mountains have them contact us at 1-800-845-2292 and speak to Justin or Ken.

Our website is www.drowsywater.com for reference and we have an online application on the website.  Feel free to call us with any questions.

Thank you for your time.

Justin Fosha
Owner Drowsy Water Ranch


DROWSY WATER RANCH
The Fosha Family
PO Box 147
Granby, CO 80446
970-725-3456
info@drowsywater.com

Cert. Practice/Forge Class

Georgia 

BWFA Practice for Certification & Forge Classes Offered!

Classes are held every third weekend (Saturday) of every month at the BWFA Headquarters in LaFayette, Georgia

RSVP & Deposit- $100 in advance.

Call: 706-397-8047

Testers are Link Casey and Special Guest Farriers

Apprentice I and II & Journeyman I and II levels only

 

BWFA Chapter SEFHA & President: David Tuggle of Virginia

Would like to invite all Farriers and owners to attend a Veterinarian and Farrier Education Program!
Located at the Carolina Equine Hospital. Hosting a case based discussion and presentation for local Veterinarians and Farriers on January 12th, 2019 9AM.
Speaking of Equine Podiatry will be Dr. Scott Pleasant of Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

Contact: Julia Dietz jdietz@carolinaequinehospital.com

5373 NC Highway 150 E, Brows Summit, NC 27214

Announcement: Welcome Back Rick Wheat !

Rick is now volunteering as a BWFA TESTER to host BWFA testing at his place in Batesville, Arkansas.
Professional Horseman and Trainer known for his Noavel Headstall, Rick was a regular Clinician at every BWFA event back in 2001-2006, joined our Horseshoe’n Time TV group and started his own show while he travelled tirelessly all over the U.S. (and abroad) to demonstrate the safety of using his patented Noavel Headstall.
It has been quoted by Farrier Educators as, “The Farriers’ best friend” as farriers are some of his best customers.
Rick joined the BWFA as a JII Certified Farrier in 2002.

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Rick was inducted into the BWFA Hall of Fame in 2015.
Here with his wife Shawna, in front of his display in the Hall of Fame Museum at the BWFA Headquarters.
Contact Rick Wheat personally by phone at (870) 307-5274
They also operate Therapeutic Riding Stables,
W Heart W at: www.WHeartW.com

BWFA current and lifetime members and graduates of Horseshoeing Schools, apprentices and non-certified good ole farriers are all welcome!! Rick offers a short refresher course and testing for your level of experience along with his expert SAFE horse handling Noavel Headstall knowledge and expertise.