Mark Plumlee

Hello, I’m Mark J. Plumlee CJF, RJF, CBT, CFP, CLS, FE

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.