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 Farrier Industry Association Newsletter

 

Farrier Industry Association
2201 Regency Road
Ste #704
Lexington, KY 40503

Staff Contacts
Executive Director:
Martha Jones

Member Services Manager: Margie Brangers

www.farrierindustry.org

 

2025 Board of Directors

President: Rob Michel
Vice President: Eric Nygaard
Secretary: Audrie Salsbury
Treasurer: John Harshbarger
Past President: Mark Hickcox
Member: Erin Baayen
Member: Bobby Salsbury
Member:  Stacie Beall

MemberTorri Broadus

Hello FIA Members!

I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you!  I have been trying out some new recipes.  Some were more successful than others!  I am really ready to get outside and work in the yard.  Hopefully the weather will improve and I can make that happen!  

The AFA convention will be in Little Rock, Arkansas, March 16-20, 2026.  Mark your calendars so you don't overbook that week!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time via email or call/text me at (502) 779-1522 if you need my assistance.

 

FIA Progress – President’s View

January started off the year with the International Hoof Care Summit (IHCS) happening for the first time in Kansas City, MO.  The turnout was good for both Vendors and Farriers. There was a strong Amish attendance while the English were down from previous Summits.

Reflecting on the distinction between the Amish and the English, I realized that the FIA MarketPlace seems to have the opposite dynamic, with a predominantly non-Amish attendance. As a result, we are going to focus more marketing efforts on the Amish community of our industry to increase their attendance at the FIA MarketPlace in 2026.

The FIA board has identified that the potential of Tariffs impacting our industry is a major concern to our members and customers. During our last board of directors meeting, we addressed these concerns and are looking into options for members to avoid these tariffs. One of our immediate actions is to consult with an International Trade Attorney to find out what our next steps will be. 

The board also discussed new and exciting improvements to the 2026 MarketPlace. This includes more social media, advertising, call outs for sponsors, and much more.

Last on our agenda is a survey that will be conducted among the members regarding the 2025 Business Conference. Please take some time to fill out the survey as the results will determine whether we move forward with the Conference or not.

If your company is planning to have a clinic in 2025, applying for the FIA Grant Program would be beneficial. This program provides $150 for Coffee and Donuts and increases the visibility of the FIA to the farrier community.

Thank you,

Robert Michel

FIA President

 

 

It is time to renew your FIA membership!  You should have received an invoice in your email AND also an invoice by snail mail.  Renew now to take advantage of the entire year of FIA benefits.

We are so very, very fortunate for all of          our members. 

Thank you to all of you for supporting us!

Welcome back to our renewed members as of January 31, 2025.

Alvin Farrier Supply - Joy Smith

Austin Forge and Machine, LLC - Austin Edens

Badger Built, LLC - Jason & Michaela Bell

C & M Horse Shoe Sales - Domingo Castillo

Canoga Farrier Supply - Bobby Salsbury

Cooper's Country Store - Troy Cooper

Creative Equine Solutions - Kellee Pittman

Equilox International - Laura Schliep

Equine Digit Support Systems - Cody Ovnicek

Equithotics, Inc. - Melinda Balint

Farriers Depot - Jason Miner

Farriers Warehouse - Tina Baxley

G. E. Forge & Tool, Inc. - Josh Garner

Glue-U Adhesives - Peter Loots

Harry Patton Horseshoeing Supplies - Ada Gates Patton

Horseshoe Mart - Selina Galick

Horseshoes Plus, Inc. - Rob Cilley

Life Data Labs, Inc. - Corbin Delaney

Markel - Kiele Marston

Monetta Farrier Specialties - Collins Daye

Nature Farms Farrier Supply - Nolan & Shelley Walker

Nordic Forge, Inc. - James or Erikk Peterson

Palm Beach Farrier Supply - Joy Ream

Royal Kerckhaert USA/Save Edge - Randy Stout

Spanish Lake Blacksmith Shop - Elizabeth Summers

Stockhoff's Horseshoes and Supplies - Molly Franco

Stonewell Bodies & Machine, Inc. - Todd Mix

Vetericyn Animal Wellness - Destiny Palmerin

Water Mill Products - Sue Birdsall

Well-Shod - John Harshbarger

Werkman Hoofcare USA - Mike Crites

Yoder Blacksmith Supplies - Henry Yoder

If you know of a company that you think might be interested in becoming a member of our Association, please send them this application:  2025 FIA Membership Form.docx

 

FIA GRANT PROGRAM

Are you hosting a clinic or customer event?  Coffee & Donuts are on us!

The FIA Board has earmarked six $150 member grants each year to be used for sponsorship of coffee and donuts at a clinic, open house, or other customer event!  There are only two grants left for the Spring so don't delay in submitting your application!

Click the link below to download the grant application.

2025 FIA Grant Application.pdf

 

HALL OF LEGENDS NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED!

Do you have a nominee for the 2025 Hall of Legends that you feel should be honored for his/her service to the industry and to our Association?  Nominees may be living or deceased. 

Please be sure that your business agrees to this nomination and that only one nominee is submitted per business.  All nominations are due to the FIA office by September 1, 2025.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Martha Jones.

Thank you for your consideration, and for helping us recognize our influential members in this special way!

Click on this link to access the nomination form:

FIA Hall of Legends Nomination Form.pdf

 OR 

FIA HALL OF LEGENDS ON-LINE FORM

DON'T FORGET - NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1, 2025.

 

Meet the FIA Board of Directors

Rob Michel, President

Oleo Acres Farrier & Blacksmith Supply - (303) 979-0446 - oafarriersupply@outlook.com

Rob Michel is the active President of Oleo Acres Farrier & Blacksmith Supply. He officially joined the family business in 2016, becoming the fourth-generation owner.  Rob was only 13 years young when his parents bought the business from his grandfather.  During his high school years, he worked weekends at Oleo helping in the store and associating with farriers.  While in college, obtaining a degree in Psychology and Economics, Rob was employed by UPS as a supervisor. 

Rob started out as a Field Manager with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), supervising 90 full-time employees and over 30 contractors. The position requires knowledge over security clearances and investigations. 

He then was given the opportunity to be a Manufacturer’s Representative with Group MW in Chicago, IL. This is where he was first exposed to the retail supply industry focusing on merchandising and marketing.  His clientele included the likes of Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and many other large companies.  

Rob is passionate about the quality of products that he carries in the store.  He makes sure that the customer has the best product for the best outcome, with the least amount of effort.  He has diversified the industry by leaps and bounds and continues to do so.

Rob has been a board member of the Farrier Industry Association for 9 years and is serving as the current president.

 

Eric Nygaard, Vice President

New Farm Farrier Supply - (941) 377-7775 - newfarm2@aol.com

Eric has been in the farrier industry for over 40 years. He has shod all disciplines of horses but specialized in Dressage, Eventing, Hunter / Jumpers, and Combined Driving Horses.

Eric is a Certified Journeyman Farrier certified through the American Farriers Association.

Eric has had clients take in him all over the world to shoe their horse’s. Eric has shod horses in the Caribbean, England, Denmark just to name a few places!

Eric is a Past President of the Florida State Farriers Association and the American Farriers Association. Eric was President of the American Farriers Association in 2010/2011 and he and his committee were responsible for organizing over one hundred farriers for the 2010 World Equestrian games that were held in Lexington Kentucky at the Kentucky Horse Park.

From 2009 till 2011 Eric was the Executive Director of the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners. As Executive Director Eric ran the Veterinary Association including putting on multiple continuing education seminars and the Equine Symposiums that they still hold to this day.

Eric retired from shoeing horses in 2015 and now runs New Farm Farrier Supply Store in Sarasota, FL with his wife Julie. Eric started New Farm Forge Inc. in 1982.

Eric is currently Vice President of the FIA (Farrier Industry Association) and the Council Chairman for the American Farriers Association’s Historical & Memorial Council. He is also an Anvil 21 member being nominated and voted in 2009. Eric helps organize the group's annual breakfast at the AFA Annual Convention and helps announce their new members and run their Facebook group.

 

Audrie Salsbury, Secretary

The Shoein' Shop - 909-794-3455 - shoeinshop@aol.com

I have had the pleasure to be a part of this wonderful community my whole life. My father is a farrier by trade and started The Shoein’ Shop 50 years ago. Being on the board for the  Farrier Industry Association for the past 15 years has given me the opportunity to serve and become better acquainted with a wide variety of amazing people. I am honored to be a part the best industry in the world!

 

John Harshbarger, Treasurer

Well-Shod - (806) 322-3680 - john@well-shod.com

I was born and raised in Amarillo, TX where I have owned and operated Well-Shod Farrier Supply for the last 25 years. In 2020 we entered the manufacturing world with the addition of Cliff Carroll Forge & Tool and Scott Anvils. We are blessed to be a part of the farrier industry, surrounded by such great hard working people.  My wife Jennifer and I have been married for 21 years. In my spare time I like to sneak in a little fishing and more recently have started competing at WCB and AFA contests.

 

Erin Baayen, Director

Rusty Brown Jewelry - (951) 290-1423 - erin@rustybrownshines.com

Erin has worked in hoof care for 20 years.  She got her start in the industry as the Director of Sales for Empire Farrier Supply in Temecula, CA which is owned by her sister Michele Nicolaides.  Through that position she had the opportunity to meet Wes Champagne who was the farrier for Triple Crown winners and more.  For whom she worked for several years.  As many of you know, Erin also worked for American Farriers Journal for three years.  In 2019 she purchased Rusty Brown Jewelry from her good friend Rusty Brown and has grown it worldwide and introduced the line of "Farrier Forged Designs" to the equestrian world .  Erin has been a mainstay at the AFA, Summit and other industry events and brings a tremendous amount of sales and marketing expertise to the organization.

 

Stacie Beall, Member

G.E. Forge & Tool - (805) 489-1111x100 - stacie@geforge.com

Hi, my name is Stacie Beall and I work at G.E. Forge and Tool. I absolutely love working along side Josh as we run his 3rd generation family business. As family is very important both professionally and personally, we put family first. 

I was born and raised in California, graduated from U.C.S.B with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology and have worked in many different fields, but every job has always focused on my ability to work with people. My number one job is definitely being a Mom! My parents recently moved right outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee and we love going to visit them out there. The perfect day for me would be doing something active with friends and family, preferably around a body of water. 

I love attending and being a part of the AFA Convention and FIA MarketPlace. Please be sure to say hi, I want to establish friendships with everyone in this wonderful industry. 

 

Torri Broadus, Member

Hanton Horseshoes - (502) 321-6619 - info@broadlinefarriersolutions.com\

Torri Broadus is co-owner of Hanton Horseshoes and office administrator for Bluegrass Horseshoeing, a multi-farrier practice. Torri’s love of horses began at a young age riding hunter-jumpers and foxhunting; while studying Animal Science at Cornell University, Torri developed a love for polo. After several years in the pharmaceutical industry with Novartis Animal Health, her passion for horses led her to Kentucky where she eventually ended up working for the United States Equestrian Federation as the Director of Eventing.  This was an amazing opportunity to work alongside world class athletes, both human and equine, and travel the globe.  She currently resides in Shelbyville, KY with her family, and continues to be a passionate equestrian through caring for her own horses at home, grooming for her daughter in the sport of Eventing, and teaching riding lessons all while cheering her son on at swim & dive meets.

 

Bobby Salsbury, Member

Canoga Farrier Supply - (818) 702-6375 - canogafs@yahoo.com

In the early 2000’s I started working full-time in the farrier supply industry.  In 2013 our family bought Phalen Horseshoeing Supply and changed the name to Canoga Farrier Supply now in Simi Valley, CA. Having great success with Canoga, we acquired Sierra Farrier Supply in NewCastle, CA. An opportunity came up in Norco, CA and HorseTown Farrier Supply was born. The most recent opportunity came up in Weatherford, TX and we opened Parker County Farrier Supply 2.0. We have some in-house brands as well: Angry Horse Products for the farrier and Ellie’s Hoofcare products for the horse owner.   

 

Mark Hickcox, Immediate Past President

Victory - (239) 682-7773 - jmhickcox@victoryracingplate.com

Mark Hickcox CF – Sales Manager, The Victory Racing Plate Company

Mark has a BS in Business Administration from Colorado State University and was a small business owner in medical device sales for 20 years before graduating from Heartland Horseshoeing School in 2016. Farrier industry experience as a farrier practice owner and then manufacturer’s representative for Victory. AFA and FITS Certified Farrier (CF). FIA BOD president 2023-2024.

 

2025 American Farriers Team and Apprentice Team Sponsorship Opportunities!

There’s a lot of talk going around lately about teams, and what we’ve found most compelling is that, to a person, everyone agrees it’s a great learning and growth experience for a farrier. And that it pushes an individual to better himself (or herself) for the good of the team.

Several years ago, the AFA developed an Apprentice Team specifically for this purpose. The motivation was to encourage young farriers to participate on a team early in their careers, and ideally enjoy it and grow into it enough to continue pushing towards the next goal of the AFT. This year, for the first time, we are seeing the result of that effort. And we could not be more thrilled to see new faces on the Team such as Garrett Stark, CJF and David Reed, CJF. And of course, for both of these young men to have the experience of being on a team with individuals of the caliber of Sawyer, Bryan and Adam, is special indeed. It is our hope that this year will light the same fire for apprentices Jose Berumen, Jaycie Steger, CF, Aaron Warner, CF, and Eli Gingerich, CF, as well.

With that in mind, we could not be more excited about what’s ahead in 2025. The AFT will start their year at the WCB’s Winter Classic Team Challenge in Lexington, conduct practices and clinics across the country and go on to the International at Stoneleigh in September.

It is our hope that you will choose to support the 2025 American Farriers Team and Apprentice Team this year. Without you, this path of learning would not be possible – as it is a substantial commitment to send these 9 individuals around the country and on to England. Thank you for your consideration!

Please contact either Team Manager, Travis Smith, CJF, or Martha Jones with questions and/or to join us for our 2025 season!

AFT Sponsorship 2025.pdf

 

March 16-20, 2026

 

What's the difference between a $20 steak and a $55 steak?

February 14th

Happy Valentine's Day!!

 

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Farrier Industry Association

2201 Regency Road  | Suite 704

Lexington, KY 40503

T: (859) 233-7411  

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