2024: March 25 - May 17 & Sep 23 - Nov 15
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
2024: March 25 - May 17 & Sep 23 - Nov 15
The Mission Farrier School Legacy
Mission Farrier School was founded by Mark Plumlee in 1996, from a desire to see a more meaningful hoof science taught in combination with traditional craftsmanship on the anvil and forge. After having been the assistant instructor at Walla Walla community college and Scott Simpson’s Northwest School of Horseshoeing for 3 years and having maintained a traditional shoeing practice for over two decades, Mark started Mission Farrier School with the goal of improving the lives of horses and people, while bringing farrier education into the 21st century.
Mark met Gene Ovnicek in 1993 and was introduced to what was at that time called Natural Balance theory, and the rest is history.
Mission Farrier School has been a pioneer in changing the hoof care industry by integrating new discoveries in hoof health into mainstream farrier education.
Marks legacy continues today through his many graduates from across the country and around the world. And most recently by handing the hammer off to his protégé and graduate Teddy Franke who is now leading the program in Tygh Valley, Oregon. In addition to having a significant career as a horseman, riding instructor, trainer, and equine educator, Teddy is also an excellent farrier and a natural born teacher. Mission students enjoy a unique opportunity by learning from both Mark and Teddy.
HISTORY AND LEGACY OF THE MFS SHOE LOGO
Mission Farrier School logo designed by Mark J. Plumlee
The Mission Farrier School logo was designed in 1996 with a lot of thought and purpose. Because Mark believes that good forging skills help make better farriers (and he is a closet metalhead himself) the MFS Shoe logo was designed to have a traditional look, while meeting the balance parameters of the foot. Today, we know that those balance parameters are vital to the health, soundness and longevity of the horse!
The original Logo incorporated the frog and heel bulbs of the foot, as we have learned that the health of the foot, starts with the health of the back of the foot!
The rolled toe of the Shoe logo is something traditional farriers throughout history have put into their handmade shoes as well as their shoe modifications using the anvil and forge. Its purpose is to reduce excess leverage and improve balance parameters while allowing for a near perimeter fit and a more traditional look.
Even the nail hole placement on the logo was done with purpose, as was the heel design and placement relative to the frog buttress and heel bulbs.
The heel design or the heel check was drawn to parallel the commissures of the frog which is a traditional expectation and immediately draws the attention of horsemen and craftsmen. Mission Farrier School believes that to become a better farrier, you must strive to become a good horseman and a good craftsman utilizing the forge and anvil. (We also believe in good barefoot trimming)!
The original logo also had the words “Mission Farrier School” written across what would be the center of the foot. That is also the point from which we start our measurements for anterior/posterior balance.
To our graduates: Now you know “the rest of the story”!