Now Enrolling for 2026
Spring Term March 15 to May 8 - Fall Term Sep 21 to Nov 13
Staff and Instructors
Mission Farrier School is built around people who care deeply about horses and the craft of hoof care.
Our team of working farriers and horsemen teaches from real experience, focusing on biomechanics, soundness, and thoughtful, horse-centered work. Students learn hands-on in the forge, under horses, and in the round pen—developing skill, judgment, and responsibility. We believe in doing something for the horse, not to the horse.
"My clients are continually amazed at my level of education and ability to explain not only what is going on but why. I am confident that I would not be where I am today without having attended Mission Farrier School."
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Chad Snyder
Teddy Franke initially came to Mission Farrier School already having a vast knowledge of horses and horsemanship. Teddy has multiple Level Certifications through the Certified Horsemanship Association, as well as other organizations.
His certifications:
AQHA Professional Horsemen offer unparalleled expertise in horsemanship, and provide services to improve equine performance and the partnership between horse and rider.
Certified Horsemanship Association
Changing lives through safe experiences with horses.
CHA Clinic Instructor (CI)
CHA Certified Equine Facility Manager (EFM)
CHA Certified Master Instructor (MI)
Certified Wilderness Packer
Approved TIP trainers gentle and halter train a Bureau of Land Management-branded wild horse or burro, then market and find a new home for the animal
Affiliations:
IAPF Member International Association of Professional Farriers
Past AYHC Board Member American Youth Horse Council
CHA Board Member Certified Horsemanship Association
Past ASHA Stock Horse Judge American Stock Horse Association
Teddy has established his farrier career in central Oregon at Morrow Ranch Camp, tending to the hoof care needs of 30+ horses. Additionally, Teddy schedules and trains all aspects of the Ranch horsemanship program, both with client instruction and herd and staff training. His continuing education includes attending additional training at Mission Farrier School, under the guidance of Mark Plumlee and he is working on his Equine Lameness Prevention Organization certifications.
Teddy is an avid educator for both client and student. He has been sharing his knowledge with clients as well as those interested in pursuing horsemanship knowledge since 2004. His focus is on horse care, training and management, keeping horses sound and helping lame or injured horses recover. His horse knowledge is a tremendous asset to Mission Farrier School as well as to Mark and Karen Plumlee.
Follow Teddy on TikTok to watch his videos and to learn more visit LiveEquestrian.net
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.
Mark's comprehensive video series is now available to Horse Owners and Farriers to purchase.
He is also available for In Person and Remote Lameness Evaluations and Pre-Purchase Exams. email: missionfarrierschool@hotmail.com