Call every equine practitioner in the area and ask them, not the office help, for their recommendations. Ask them who does the veterinary farriery for the clinic. Ask them who does their personal horses. Call the vet's farrier and get his recommendations. Call the AFA at 606-233-7411. Ask them for a list of certified farriers in your area; better yet, ask the AFA how to get hold of the state or regional farrier associations in your area and ask one of them for their membership list.
    Contact the Guild of Professional Farriers by clicking on the link on my farrier page. Leave a message asking for a list of farriers in your region.
    If you have discipline-specific stock, canvass the trainers within the discipline for their recommendations.
    Ask any prospective farrier for local veterinary references. Check the references.
    Don't ask another owner. Don't ask a stable manager. Don't ask at the feed store. These folks will seldom know any more than you: most will know a hell of a lot less.