Tom Bloomer, CF, RJF

^ Back To ^

Articles marked with this icon require Acrobat Reader™   Get it here for free!:

"Tom is a horseman's farrier." - Dean Roles, Centaur Training

Contents

1. Horse Experience
2. Certifications & Credentials
3. Farriery Education
4. Non-Farrier/Horse Related Education & Experience

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. After deciding to become a farrier, he spent nearly a year creating a 5-year business plan that would put him at the top of the farrier industry as a highly respected and knowledgeable professional. 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. <TOP>

Certifications & Credentials

The Guild of Professional Farriers (GPF) Registered Journeyman Farrier™  (Tom served as secretary on the Guild executive board from 10/06 to 10/07. The size of the Guild's active membership roles were doubled as a direct result of the promotional work and organization that Tom contributed to the Guild.) <TOP>

Farriery Education

• 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.
• Completed and passed all phases of the GPF Registered Journeyman Farrier™ exam testing under Henry Heymering, RMF, August 1, 2006.
• GPF Registered Journeyman Farrier™ exam hosted by Blackburn Forge, Inc. at Hillcrest Farm, LLC, December 2006.
• The 4th Annual International Hoof Care Summit, January 2007.
• GPF Subclinical Lameness Seminar and Registered Journeyman Farrier™ exam hosted by Blackburn Forge, Inc. with Matt Taimuty, CJF and Rick Burten, RMF, May 2007.
• GPF Lameness Clinic hosted by Fairweather Forge in Lebanon, NJ, with Rick Burten, RMF, October 2007. <TOP>

Non-Farrier/Horse Related Education & Work Experience:

Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential (MAPP)

Click Here to get YOUR MAPP

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.

<BACK                         >TOP<                        <HOME>