Horse Owners & Farriers Who Still Need Assistance

September 12, 2017 Guest User

If you still need a horse shelter during the storm recovery please feel free to contact us at:

706-397-8909

Thank you & God Bless!

For Those Evacuating From The Storm:

September 7, 2017 Guest User

Off of I-75 emergency Horse Stable/Pens/Pastures are available in Valdosta/Moultrie Georgia area and farther towards Atlanta in the Locust Grove, Georgia area.

Please contact the BWFA at 706-397-8047 for more information.

Also, the Perry, GA fairgrounds (off I-75) will be having a horse shelter available to the public. Click here for more details.

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3 Farriers Receive CFE Credits!

August 3, 2017 Guest User

Congratulations Equine Flexion Therapy (EFT) course graduates in Georgia! Offered at the FNRC!

3 Farriers received CFE Credits towards continuing education along with one horse owner and one veterinarian.

Horse Owners Have Opportunity...

August 3, 2017 Guest User

To learn about hoof care care, Equine Anatomy and Valuable technique from BWFA Farriers.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EFT PROGRAM !

Good News From Speaker Paul Ryan

August 2, 2017 Guest User

The House unanimously passed the biggest GI bill expansion in a decade. From now on, new service members will be able to use the GI bill's education benefits for their entire lives. This is a big change, and it is truly great news for all those who wear the uniform.

The GI bill helped build today's middle class, and now, Congress is redoubling America's commitment to our veterans.

The GI Bill helped build today’s middle class. It sent millions of World War II veterans to college, to work, and to the suburbs. Tom Brokaw called it “a brilliant and enduring commitment to the nation’s future.”

One way we make sure that the GI Bill endures is by updating it to meet the times. So today the House is set to take action on the biggest GI bill expansion in a decade. Here’s what H.R. 3218 does:

Right now, veterans have to use their education benefits within 15 years of the end of their service. We’re taking those limits away. From now on, new servicemembers will be able to use the GI bill’s education benefits throughout their lifetimes. They will have the flexibility to get an education later in life. This is a big change, and it’s why we call this the #ForeverGIBill.
Another big change concerns post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients, who need to put in three years of service to receive full benefits.The new law will give full GI bill eligibility to all post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients, regardless of how long they have served.
And this GI Bill update gives veterans a better shot at in-demand science and technology jobs. A pilot program will help veterans take advantage of non-traditional technology courses. And benefits will be extended by nine months for veterans enrolled in STEM five-year degree programs. This is good news as we work to improve job training and close the skills gap.

The American Legion says this bill will mean “a new era for all who have honorably served in uniform, and for the nation as a whole.” According to Student Veterans of America, it will represent “a new era for education for veterans.”

Just last month, the president signed into law major legislation to bring real accountability to the VA. Now we are building on this work, and we are going to keep at it so that our veterans and their families get the care and treatment they have earned.

To learn more, read the bill, and check out this background information from the Veterans Affairs Committee.

*Please Note: Most school now accept GI Bill funding.

Ricky Stover, Rest in Peace

June 7, 2017 Guest User

Murrayville, Ga., farrier Richard “Ricky” Stover passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2017, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was 61.

Stover was a master molder technician for years, but he was a cowboy at heart. His love and devotion to horses inspired him to become a certified farrier with the BWFA and has been a member since 2010. He taught his son the trade who worked with fellow member Chris Groves who notified us during May 2017.

Click here for his full obituary.

Remembering our Good Friend Bucky Hatfield

June 6, 2017 Guest User

April 24, 1943 – May 29, 2017

Bucky Hatfield, friend, fellow Farrier and Marine Veteran passed away Monday, Memorial Day around 9pm in Texas with his wife Carla and family by his side. Bucky suffered many years with cancer and other illnesses from the days he fought in the Vietnam war. A Service will be held this week in Livingston, Texas then travel to Crossville, Tennessee. On Wednesday, June 7, a service will be held at Harmony Baptist Church at 1pm, then laid to rest next to his mother at Crossville City Cemetery.

We saw Bucky last in fall of 2016 while he presented a former farrier student with the prestigious award of BWFA Hall of Fame. Even frail then, he was the same Bucky, joking and talking about the “ole school” days. He turned 74 this year on April 24, just two days after the 2017 Hall of Fame Induction that he was unable to attend. We filmed it for him.

Bucky, a farrier by trade, started his Tennessee State Horseshoeing School in the 80’s, where hundreds of young men and women got their start to go on and make a living for themselves and do him proud. He was tough in the forge room and nobody got by easy, it was hard. He was a friend and mentor.

He was a devoted BWFA member joining back in 1990, serving as the President of the Master Educator Division, a friend to all school owners in the U.S. He was one of the first to receive a Hall of Fame Award and gold ring in 1992. He was one of the Shakers and Movers of the association. He traveled out of the country several times to host certification clinics in South America. He made friends everywhere.

One of our best memories was back in 1994 at our Texarkana Convention. Bucky started an “Over the Hill” shoe making contest for age 50 (was old back then!) Not the kind of competition to see who is the greatest horseshoer in the world but for the Educators to challenge each other in a friendly and fun contest, and it was. They were sweating and laughing, it was quite a show. The whole story and many more can be found on www.bwfa.net in the newsletters and Hall of Fame sections. In the old days, he was on a land line phone every day talking to someone, somewhere about shoeing horses. Bucky retired too early due to rheumatoid arthritis but stayed in touch through face book. He would tell anyone, anytime that he truly “loved” being a farrier.

Hundreds of farriers owe their start to Bucky and all the BWFA members who met him along the way, wherever you are, we hope you will contact his wife Carla by phone, email or face book.

Bucky was a fighter and a Christian who has gone home to be with Jesus. We will miss him.

Submitted by Ginger Casey

Email: hatfieldcarla@yahoo.com

facebook: carlachapmanhatfield

A GoFund me account has been set up for donations : CLICK HERE

Injuries Can Be Avoided

April 5, 2017 Guest User

Jerry Schweinlen of New York, is like many of you, a working middle aged man, who attended a horseshoeing school is BWFA Certified, all to achieve a new career path. He went home, worked part time and rode along with another farrier until he built up his own full time clientele. In three years, he reports to have over 700 horses! One of the 1st jobs he had was a “Nobody else will handle this horse” and “I can’t keep a farrier”. A “safety-check” and Noavel Headstall with ground training and a little extra time was all it took to trim this horse. The owner was amazed and convinced and the word spread. Jerry prides his success with schooling and “handling” experience. He calls on Noavel Inventor, Rick Wheat by phone who is always willing to help him. Meet Jerry here April 21st & 22nd.

4/22 BWFA Hall of Fame Event

March 17, 2017 Guest User

April 22, 2017 Saturday 10AM-3PM BWFA HDQ

BWFA Hall of Fame Event- 2017 Induction

10-11:30 Meet & Greet
12-1 Presentations & Lunch (RSVP $10 pp)
1-3 Masters At the Forge Workshop, Q&A
Sonny Pistilli & Friends
Son, Daniel Pistilli
Frank Bevacqua JR.
Others TBA

All BWFA MEMBERS INVITED TO MEET, ENJOY FELLOWSHIP AND LEARN FROM

THE MASTERS AT WORK!

Also available is practice and testing at all levels on Thursday and Friday RSVP!

Hall of Fame member Bucky Hatfield and long time friend has nominated Sonny Pistilli into the BWFA Hall of fame in 2017. He will be the 49th member to be inducted.

Sonny Pistilli, owner of Far Hills Forge, is a Master Farrier, Master Educator and School Owner, with an extensive farrier career of over 50 years. He has been a strong supporter of the BWFA by offering farrier certification, mentorship at his school, as well as promoting the BWFA in print. His dedication and fellowship within the entire farrier industry is proof that he deserves this prestigious Hall of Fame award.

Click here to go directly to Sonnys website for more information.
Click here for travel and hotel information.
Click here to visit the Hall of Fame.

Free Advice & Tips on Lameness

February 9, 2017 Guest User

BWFA memeber Randy Cate in Missouri is offering FREE advice and tips on lameness issues!

#417-880-3868

Please click on www.helpmylamehorse.net for more information.

April 22nd Clinic/Hall Of Fame

January 26, 2017 Guest User

Special guest will be announced along with the 2017 Hall of Fame Inductee!

This spring clinic will replace our fall clinic. Weather should be pleasant at the BWFA headquarters in Georgia. Our guest is a forge master, Master Educator School Owner, with an extensive farrier career of over 50 years. Bucky Hatfield is in hopes to attend, along with other Hall of Fame members to celebrate. Forge class, practice, and testing at all levels will be available ONLY if you call in advance.