Since horses with bad feet can lose their ability to properly function, the thousands of farriers across North America deserve to be specially recognized once a year for their dedication to keeping horses' feet healthy.

their farriers can download a certificate of recognition by going to www.americanfarriers.com/ff/certif on the American Farriers Journal Web site.

Other ways to show a farrier appreciation throughout the year include:

• Providing a level, clean and well-lit work area for handling footcare needs.

• Having the horses properly cleaned and ready prior to the farrier's arrival.

• Having someone available to keep nervous or ill-behaved horses calm during the footcare work.

• Training your horses at a young age to be comfortable with having their feet handled.

• Working with the farrier to develop a regular footcare schedule.

• Taking the time and making the effort to say "thanks" for a job well done.

"Doing one or more of these things will demonstrate that you understand the difficulty of the farrier's work," says Frank Lessiter, editor of American Farriers Journal. "You'll also make it possible for the hoof-care professional to focus on your horse's feet. That represents a winning combination for everyone, especially the horse.

"Trimming and shoeing a 1,000-pound horse is hard physical labor, but also requires an ever-increasing level of technical knowledge. Most horse owners don't realize how much there is to know about a horse's feet and trimming and shoeing them appropriately.

"Farriers often attend specialized training schools and serve apprenticeships prior to practicing the trade. They also attend numerous seminars and clinics to continue their education and keep up with the latest research and shoeing techniques. They deserve a tremendous amount of recognition for their efforts."