Japan Farriery Association (JFA)

Welcome to the website of the Japan Farriery Association (JFA).

The JFA is an organization dedicating to animal welfare and the advancement of the equine and cattle industry through the wide-spread improvement of foot-care for these animals.
The JFA is also the only organization in Japan that educates and approves qualified farriers and cattle claw trimmers.

We at the JFA constantly strive to achieve improved farriery and cattle claw trimming skills in Japan and to disseminate new industry related information through various workshop/lectures and competitions.
Through our website and JFA journal, we provide up-to-date information on equine and bovine foot care to horse and cattle owners and managers.

We hope that this website encourages more people to become interested in not just general equine and bovine foot care, but farriery and cattle claw trimming in particular.
Most importantly, we wish to always remember our appreciation for the many blessings our equine and bovine friends bring to us.

JFA is a public service corporation established under law with the aim to contribute to the development of the
horseracing and livestock industry.
JFA qualifies farriers and cow hoof trimmers, and promotes scientific research on horseshoeing and cow hoof trimming for the dissemination of proper foot care.

In order to fulfill its functions, JFA cooperates with related organizations such as JRA and NAR under the guidance of
the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery to promote a number of programs.

Modern horseshoeing technique was introduced into Japan in 1873. The government invited a horseshoeing instructor from France to help disseminate the technique. Later, the army played a central role in developing the Japanese style modern horseshoeing technique for riding horses with the instruction of a German instructor who came to Japan in 1890. This technique has been passed down, although the center of horseshoeing today has become racing horses. The introduction of aluminum training and racing shoes resulted in the dissemination of the American style horseshoeing technique.

Meanwhile, cows that helped farming used to be shoed by utilizing the horseshoeing technique. But they were free from such work, they are only trimmed today. Cow hoof trimming should be done twice a year, but it should be more frequent when necessary. Recently, as the livestock industry requires more rationalization and productivity increase, campaigns for the promotion of foot care are actively conducted.

JFA consists of regular, supporting and honorary members. Regular members are the regional chapters organized by certified farriers and cow hoof trimmers.
While supporting members are individuals or organizations that support the objective of this association, honorary members are those recommended by the general assembly.
There are 48 regional chapters affiliated by a total of 1300 active certified technicians (500 farriers and 800 cow hoof trimmers).

Certified farriers are usually self-employed and work for racing and training courses located at various places.
Some farriers make the rounds among several riding clubs and breeding farms, while others are employed by JRA or NAR.

Certified cow hoof trimmers make the rounds and work among several farms to look after cows and meat cattle.

These technicians participate in various seminars, training courses and contests organized by JFA's local chapters to improve their techniques and promote foot care in their areas.

• （1）Promotion and education of foot care
• （2）Educating farriers and cow hoof trimmers
• （3）Certifying farriers and cow hoof trimmers
• （4）Improving the skills of farriers and cow hoof trimmers
• （5）Others