My clients are continually amazed at my level of education and ability to explain not only what is going on but why. I am confident that I would not be where I am today without having attended Mission Farrier School.

Teddy Franke initially came to Mission Farrier School already having a vast knowledge of horses and horsemanship.  Teddy has multiple Level Certifications through the Certified Horsemanship Association, as well as other organizations.

His certifications: 

AQHA Professional Horsemen 

AQHA Professional Horsemen offer unparalleled expertise in horsemanship, and provide services to improve equine performance and the partnership between horse and rider. 

Certified Horsemanship Association

Changing lives through safe experiences with horses. 

 CHA Clinic Instructor (CI) 

 CHA Certified Equine Facility Manager (EFM) 

 CHA Certified Master Instructor (MI) 

 Certified Wilderness Packer 

TIP Certified Trainer MHF 

Approved TIP trainers gentle and halter train a Bureau of Land Management-branded wild horse or burro, then market and find a new home for the animal 

Affiliations: 

 IAPF Member  International Association of Professional Farriers

 Past AYHC Board Member American Youth Horse Council 

 CHA Board Member Certified Horsemanship Association

 Past ASHA Stock Horse Judge  American Stock Horse Association

Teddy has established his farrier career in central Oregon at Morrow Ranch Camp, tending to the hoof care needs of 30+ horses.  Additionally, Teddy schedules and trains all aspects of the Ranch horsemanship program, both with client instruction and herd and staff training.  His continuing education includes attending additional training at Mission Farrier School, under the guidance of Mark Plumlee and he is working on his Equine Lameness Prevention Organization certifications.  

Teddy is an avid educator for both client and student.  He has been sharing his knowledge with clients as well as those interested in pursuing horsemanship knowledge since 2004.  His focus is on horse care, training and management, keeping horses sound and helping lame or injured horses recover.  His horse knowledge is a tremendous asset to Mission Farrier School as well as to Mark and Karen Plumlee.   

Follow Teddy on TikTok to watch his videos and to learn more visit LiveEquestrian.net

A horseman, third generation horseshoer, former rodeo cowboy, and owner/instructor of Mission Farrier School, Mark Plumlee's qualifications are unique in that Mark has 6 certifications through three National Farrier Associations.  This gives him the ability to teach tried and true methods which are in the horse's best interest.  

His certifications: CJF, RJF, CBT, CFP, CLS, FE

CJF: Certified Journeyman Farrier, through the American Farriers Association

RJF: Registered Journeyman Farrier, through the Guild of Professional Farriers

And the following 4 certifications through ELPO, Equine Lameness Prevention Organization

CBT: Certified Barefoot Trimmer  (Formerly CNBBT – Certified Natural Balance Barefoot Trimmer)

CFP:– Certified Farrier Practitioner  (Formerly CNBF – Certified Natural Balance Farrier)

CLS: Certified Lameness Specialist

FE: Farrier Educator and Clinician in Modern Farrier Science

After maintaining a traditional shoeing practice for two decades, Mark gained exposure to Natural Balance Farrier Science in the early 1990’s.  He traveled with Gene Ovnicek, the founder of Natural Balance Farrier Science, for two years giving lectures and demonstrations throughout the United States.  

At Gene’s urging, he established Mission Farrier School in 1997, and Mission Farrier School is the first formal farrier education program in the world to incorporate NB Farrier Science into its curriculum.   Mark’s centered, common sense approach focuses on 5 guidelines or principles for evaluating soundness, considering the function of the hoof, conformation of the lower limb, and addressing distortion, all with the environment and performance expectations taken into account.