Tom Bloomer, CF

Contents

1. Horse Experience
2. Certifications & Credentials
3. Farriery Education
4. Non-Farrier/Horse Related Education & Experience
5. Tom Slow Pickin' on Guitar

Horse Experience

In 2001 Tom Bloomer retired from his career in Information Technology and began researching business opportunities that would involve him full time in the horse industry.  He spent nearly a year researching the farrier industry and developing a long term business plan that would help him succeed in this business.  Also during that year, Tom studied farrier science making every effort to learn as much as he could about hoof care and equine locomotion. In July of 2002, Tom entered into the farrier profession full time. In 2006, he reorganized his business as a corporation, Blackburn Forge, Inc.

Tom continues to pursue his professional development, skills, and knowledge. He dedicates considerable resources to promoting farrier science education. In 2006 Kentucky Horseshoeing School invited Tom to return to as a guest lecturer. Since then, Blackburn Forge has begun hosting educational seminars as a way of "giving back" to the profession that has rewarded Tom with great success.

Tom accepts referrals for horses with behavior challenges regardless of how difficult the situation may seem. Building on his experience from raising horses, Tom has developed his own unique style of horsemanship. He is able to handle young and factitious horses with ease. His ability to read horses and communicate directly in the horse's native language allows him to safely provide hoof care to horses that would otherwise be difficult or dangerous to handle on the ground without resorting to harsh methods of restraint or tranquilizers.<TOP>

Certifications & Credentials

Farriery Education

Special Acknowledgement of Masters, Mentors, and Teachers

Since ancient times farriers have acquired their skills and knowledge by serving long apprenticeships (from 4 to 10 years or more) under established masters. Everybody, including the great masters, has gaps and weakneses
in their skills and knowledge. An apprentice with only one master has the same gaps as the master. As a second career farrier entering the industry at 41 years of age, Tom Bloomer was unable to serve an apprenticeship under an established master. However, from the very beginning of his journey as a farrier, Tom has actively sought mentors and teachers from amongst the best availible. The following is a list of teachers, masters, and mentors who have helped Tom to build his scientific knowledge and skill base or have positively influenced his business and career development. These people deserve special recognition for their substantial contributions. (Listed in chronological order by the year their infuence first began to have a significant impact on Tom's career.)

• Dave Ferguson, CJF, TE, RJF - 2001
• Mitch Taylor, CJF - 2002
• Reuben King, CJF - 2002
• Tom Stovall, CJF - 2002
• Dave Duckett, FWCF - 2002
• Matt Taimuty, CJF, 2003
• Abner Hershberger - 2004

Chronological List of Farriery Educational Events

• Kentucky Horseshoeing School (KHS), Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Lower Limb with KHS Director Mitch Taylor, CJF, June 2002
• Forging and Shoe Modifications Seminar with Don Gustafson, CJF, hosted at Amsterdam Farrier Supply, October 2002
• Therapeutic Specialties Seminar with Craig Trnka, CJF, hosted at KHS, November 2002
• AFA Certification Clinic hosted at KHS, - passed the Shoe Display and Written Test for Certified Farrier™, November 2002
• AFA Certification Clinic hosted by the Pennsylvania Professional Farriers Association (PPFA), February 2003
• AFA Certification Clinic hosted by the Maryland Farriers Association , March 2003 - Passed the Practical Shoeing test, Completed the Certified Farrier™ testing requirements.
• Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) 4th Annual Spring Conference, May 2003

  • Lameness Examination with Karl F. Bowman, DVM, MS, DACVS, DABVP
  • Foot Lameness: "What am I Blocking Out?" with Karl F. Bowman, DVM, MS, DACVS, DABVP
  • Foot Lameness Imaging (radiographs) with Karl F. Bowman, DVM, MS, DACVS, DABVP
  • Gait Irregularities - Expanding Traditional Lameness Evaluation with Richard Mansmann, VMD, PhD
  • What is a Preventive Foot Care Program with Richard Mansmann, VMD, PhD
  • Septic Conditions of the Equine Foot with Richard Mansmann, VMD, PhD

• AFA Certification Clinic hosted by the PPFA, November, 2003
• Delmarva Farriers Association (DFA) - founding member - currently serving on the Board of Directors.

   (The DFA was founded in January of 2004. Tom writes newsletters and promotes and organizes clinics for the DFA.  From the original 13 founders the DFA has grown from a grass roots organization to over 75 members with farriers from every state in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.)
• AFA Annual Convention, February 2004.
• Annual PPFA Forging Competition with Bob Skradzio, Sr. CJF , July 2004.
• Mint Vale Forge Annual Fall Clinic with Dave Ferguson, CJF, TE, October 2004.
• AFA Certification Clinic hosted by the PPFA, November 2004.
• AFA Annual Convention, February 2005.
• Farrier Business and Quality Workmanship Seminar with Dave Farley, CF and Roy Bloom, CJF, hosted at Amsterdam Farrier Supply, October 2005.
• AFA Certification Clinic hosted by the PPFA, November 2005.
• The 3rd Annual International Hoof Care Summit, January 2006.
• Kentucky Horseshoeing School "Planning YOUR Farrier Business" guest lecturer Tom Bloomer, CF, April 2006.
• Kentucky Horseshoeing School "Planning YOUR Farrier Business" guest lecturer Tom Bloomer, CF, June 2006.
• DFA Weight Bearing Mechanisms of the Equine Distal Limb, Dave Duckett, FWCF, May 2008.
• DFA Draft Horseshoeing with Mike WIldenstein, FWCF of Cornell University Veterinary Hospital, June 2009
• DFA Horseshoeing Clinic with Chris Gregory, CJF, MS, FWCF of Heartland Horseshoeing School, September 2009
• The Palm Beach Laminitis Conference November 6 - 8, 2009.
• The 7th Annual International Hoof Care Summit, January 2010.

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Non-Farrier/Horse Related Education & Work Experience:

Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential (MAPP)

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From 1978 - 1984 Employed in the marine service and yacht construction industry. Developed considerable expertise in all aspects of building and repairing fiberglass boats. In addition to standard fiberglass construction, also developed extensive knowledge and expertise with exotic composite materials like Kevlar, Carbon Fiber, epoxy resins, and advanced polymer blending. Also developed skills and knowledge in most aspects of the marine service industry including electrical wiring, mechanical propulsion systems, electronic navigation instruments, and operating marine travel lifts and cranes.

1988 - 1990 Attended Florida Atlantic University Ocean Engineering Program part-time. Studies focused on marine composite structures, human powered submarines, and underwater science research projects. Employed part time as a computer support technician for the FAU Department of Student Affairs.

1989-2001 Employed full time in various aspects of the Information Technology industry. The majority of this work involved project management and contract consulting on large IT network engineering and infrastructure development and support projects.

1966-Present . . . still playing guitar.

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