THE STUMP September 2017 Ontario Farriers Association President Paul Miller 613.453.2074 pmillerfarrier@gmail.com Vice President Tom Barnett canadianfarrier@gmail.com 905. 931. 8997 Treasurer Dale Gladwin wdgladwin@hotmail.com Secretary Jonathon Taylor Taylor.Farrier@live.com Directors Adam McQueen adamcmcqueen@gmail.com John Edwards John_edwards13@hotmail.com Mark Struthers mark@synergyfarm.ca Jess Paverly jess@hufeisenshoeingcompany.com Welcome to the Ontario Farriers Association. Promoting further education and community for the farriers of Ontario since 1980. September 2017 1
The changing scope of practice for Veterinarians in Ontario For most Farriers, we have a broad, common sense based understanding on the scope of practice for ourselves and veterinarians. However, very few of us would be familiar with the details of the scope of practice model that is layed out in the Veterinarians Act. The scope of practice model very specifically lays out the jurisdiction of veterinarians in the province and consequently impact the other professionals in the horse industry such as farriers. This spring, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) began work on a new scope of practice for their profession. Their goal is to modernize the Veterinarians Act, partly because of the public s expectations changing since the initial Act was introduced, and partly because of the growth of other related trades such as dentists and chiropractors. The new scope of practice model has cause to concern farriers. The proposed changes may be well intentioned, but do leave some of our everyday work under the specific scope of veterinary medicine. It is also important to note that there are currently exemptions for chiropractors and massage therapists, but not for farriers. Currently, the farriers scope of practice lies outside veterinary medicine. The changes that are proposed to the Veterinarians Act, will bring the current model of farriery under the umbrella of veterinary medicine. For example making or communicating a diagnosis, identifying a disease, disorder, dysfunction or condition as a sign of an animal s signs and presentations. This statement leaves something as simple as treating thrush beyond the farrier s scope of practice. When farriers trim a thrushy frog we are often communicating a diagnosis and identifying a disease. In addition, we are debriding necrotic tissue down to live, and possibly encroaching on live dermal tissue. Another example is trimming a horse with chronic or acute laminitis. We must identify and treat varying degrees of inflammation of the laminae. As we all know from experience, our trimming and/or shoeing technique can have a serious impact on the pathology of the hoof. There are many more examples that we can all imagine. An exception must be made for farriers, just as it was made for dentists and chiropractors. We have a specialized skill set that is generally non-invasive. If the new scope of practice becomes included in the Veterinarians Act, for the most part not much would change for us day to day. But it certainly leaves room for complications. It is very realistic that a farrier could have a poor working relationship with a vet in their area. This legislation would make a farrier very open to liability. Additionally, from a practical perspective it is just not realistic. It would dictate that many very basic tasks for a farrier should technically be performed with a vet on hand. We all know what a nightmare it is trying to coordinate our busy schedule with a vet s busy schedule. It costs us money. This article is just the very broad strokes of the implications of the new scope of practice model for vets. I was very dependent on some correspondence that Sylvia H. Kornherr (Equine Podiatry Technologist and Farrier) had with the OFA and the Ontario College of Veterinarians. I would have had a very hard time understanding the proposal without her summary and objections so clearly explained. This was really just an introduction. The issue is ongoing and I am hoping to expand on it and keep everyone updated in future Stumps. 3
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AMFQ Convention The Quebec Association has their annual convention this October 20, 21, and 22. The clinicians will be Dr. Yves Rossier, DVM and Michael Wildenstein, CJF, FWCF. This is a great year for English speaking farriers from Ontario to attend. Michael Wildenstein will be lecturing in English and is a very accomplished farrier and well worth seeing. Dr Rossier will be lecturing in French but there will be translation for those who do not speak French. I would strongly recommend attending as the Quebecers throw a great party! More information is available on their Facebook page or by contacting the names listed in the poster above. They even have a mail in shoe competition, so for those unable to attend in person you can still get some forging practice in and be a participant. Just like the OFA they will be having a banquet and live auction. They would love the support so if you are able to donate an item it would be greatly appreciated! 5
The Canadian Farrier Team update The Canadian Farriers Team just finished up their competition at the 37th annual International Championship in Stoneleigh. Out of 16 teams the Canadians finished 5th! Congratulations from the OFA! Their strongest class proved to be the gas forging class in which they finished 3rd. 6
Fall Certification The OFA will be hosting a fall certification for all levels. The certification will be held on November 10th and 11th. This year will be held at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa. The address is 401 Corkstown Rd, Ottawa Ontario, K2H 8T1 Stephen Morris will be the examiner and Tim Koelln, Mike Hampton, and Doug Corey will be the testers. Cost Breakdown: Host fee $150 AFA membership $200 US Dollars AFA Certification fee $100 Dollars Contact Paul Miller with any questions 613 453 2074 pmillerfarrier@gmail.com ***remember to bring American money for the AFA membership and the AFA certification fee You must be a member of the AFA for your test to count. If you are not a current member you can sign up in advance on the AFA website or on the day of the certification. 7
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Tool Time At the spring convention, Ben Mangan used an electric welder for part of his clinic. He talked about the practicality of carrying one in his truck and using it in his everyday work. Rather than carry an assortment of barshoes, the welder let him modify any keg shoe to fit his need very quickly using bar stock or part of another horse shoe. He made it look like a great idea and I thought it might suit my needs as well. I looked online for a welder that suit my needs. I wanted it to by tiny and cheap. I may only use it once a year so I didn t want it to take up much room in my truck. 6.5 foot boxes fill up very quickly. I ordered a stick welder for $200 from Amazon.ca. There are lots to choose from. It is very small and light. About the size of 2 butcher block brushes stacked on top of each other. After having the welder in my truck for 3 months I have used it only twice. On one occasion a new horse came to me that was barefoot. It had extremely short, broken up feet from shoes being removed recently and having poor feet and confirmation. It also had a new quarter crack and the horse was lame. I wanted to try a Z bar partly because I thought it may help, and partly because I had never tried one and was curious to see what it would do in this situation. Fabricating a Z bar from barstock or forge welding a frog plate into a keg shoe was out of my skill set, especially on a foot that was going to be difficult to fit and nail. I fit an open heeled shoe and then welded my Z bar in afterwards. This horse was at a barn at the far end of my working area so coming back another day during the busy season would have been extremely inconvenient. Since it was a good account and involved a lame horse I really wanted a solution immediately. Even if I don t use it again for another six months it takes up so little room in my truck that it is worth having even for rare occasions. Had it not been for seeing Ben Mangan s clinic I don t think I would have considered getting one. For such a small expense and taking up so little room in my truck I don t mind carrying it around. It is worth it for me and I would recommend other farriers to consider one. Jonathan Taylor 9
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