Program Director

Diego Almeida CJF EE, FE, TE, AWCF is the lead instructor of the MSU Farrier Science Program. Almeida is an AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier and holds all three endorsements offered by the association (Educator, Forging and Therapeutic Endorsements). He is also an Associate with the Worshipful Company of Farrier in England.

Almeida is also an AFA Tester and Certification Instructor. He is also involved in farrier certifications across the United States and abroad.

Almeida’s background with horses began growing up in Brazil, where he trained and competed in show jumping, dressage, and endurance from a young age. A graduate of Midwest Horseshoeing School, Diego was later recognized with the International Hoof Care Summit’s Rising Star Award in 2014. He is also a three-time recipient of the AFA’s J. Scott Simpson Outstanding Educator Award (2015, 2016, and 2019).

Diego's commitment to the horse started at a young age, while he rode, trained, and competed horses in several disciplines. This background as a horseman, combined with his passion for the time-tested principles of farriery, a deep understanding of equine anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, and a lifelong love of learning make him a unique teacher who truly leads by example.

Diego Almeida, Farrier School director