Brian Strelow is a native Washingtonian who lives on Whidbey Island with his wife Nicole and their two kids. Brian’s passion for farriery began in the mid 90’s while working summers at a dude ranch in Wyoming. After graduating from Oregon State University he enrolled at Oklahoma State Horseshoeing School and completed an informal apprenticeship with a race track farrier. Brian is an active member of the AFA and the local chapter FAWS. In 2001 he became an AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier and has been a fixture of the AFA certification program for many years as a tester and now as an instructor and examiner. Brian credits local contests for preparing him for certification. Still an avid competitor, you can find Brian at a half dozen local and national contests each year. Brian has shod a variety of disciplines over nearly 30 years under horses. Currently dressage, jumping and barrel racing horses take up the majority of his time. When he’s not making horseshoes or tools you can find him in the mountains or near the ocean.
Education
American Farriers Association Educator Endorsement, 2023
American Farriers Association Forging Endorsement, 2022
American Farriers Association Therapeutic Endorsement, 2021
American Farriers Association-Approved Examiner, 2021
American Farriers Association- Certified Instructor, 2017
American Farriers Association- Approved Tester, 2016
American Farriers Association- Certified Journeyman Farrier, 2001
American Farriers Association- Certified Farrier, 2000
National Athletic Trainers Association- Certified Athletic Trainer, 1998
Oklahoma State Horseshoeing School- Graduate, 1998
Oregon State University- College of Health and Human Performance
Bachelors of Science, 1998
Experience
Speaker Farriers Association of Washington state fall conference 2025
Judge and Speaker Farrier Association of Columbia July 2025
Chair AFA Pre-Certification Committee, 2025-present
Board Member- AFA Education Committee, 2024-present
Board Member- AFA Communication Committee, 2024-present
Judge Farrier Competition Minneapolis, MN August 2024
Judge Farrier Competition Dawson Creek, BC July 2024
Clinician- Olympia Farrier Supply, Fall 2023
Speaker-AFA Annual Convention Little Rock, AR 2022
American Farriers Association- Executive Committee, 2022-present
American Farriers Association-Region 1 Board of Directors, 2021-present
Board Member-AFA Certification Committee, 2021-present
President-Farriers Association of Washington State, 2020-present. 2004-2006.
Board Member-AFA Pre-Certification Committee. 2017-Present
Clinic Coordinator-Farriers Association of Washington State. 2016-Present
Board Member-Farriers Association of Washington State. 1999-2006, 2015-Present
Clinician- Wyoming Professional Farriers Association. Spring 2019
Clinician-Farriers Association of Washington State. Spring 2017
Clinician- Oregon Farriers Association. Fall 2017
Clinician- Farriers of Idaho Guild. Fall 2016
Clinician-Farriers Association of Washington State 2014,2021
Instructor AAEP/AFA Vet-Farrier Short Course. University of Saskatchewan 2008, Western University 2008, University of Pennsylvania 2007, and Washington State University 2005 and 2007.
Referral Farrier-Tahoma Veterinary Hospital. 1999-2006
Assistant Instructor-Walla Walla Community College Farrier Science Summer Program. One week 2003-2005
Awards
2025 AFA Journalism Award for Editing
2025 AFA Technical Writing Award
2024 NW Triple Crown Overall Open Champion
2022 & 2023 AFA Allen Smith Excellence in Administration Award
2018,2019,2020,2021 North American Capewell Cup Top 20
2018,2019,2021,2022-Washington State Open High Point Farrier Champion
2018,2019-Utah State Draft Shoemaking Champion
2005 Western Canadian Open High Point Farrier Champion
2006-Markus Schmitter Humanitarian Award
