Eric Simmons (Millersville, Mont.)
Eric Simmons of Simmons Shoeing Service was recommended to me by my veterinarian after my mare kept coming up lame. She had underrun and contracted heels due to incorrect trimming and shoeing.
Eric is also a registered vet tech who has worked in the equine veterinary practice before becoming a full-time farrier. The combination of these two fields adds to Eric's knowledge base and is a plus in diagnosing and correcting problems. He is very willing to answer questions and explain everything he is doing and why.
All four of my horses had messed up hooves with incorrect and inconsistent angles due to sloppy work by my past horseshoer (I hesitate to call the other guy a farrier). Eric took the time to explain what was wrong and what it was going to take to correct them. A year later, all my horses are moving beautifully and freely. The mare with the lameness issues due to heel pain is still a work in progress but she is back in work and moving pain-free. Eric never hesitates to put in the extra effort to make sure my horses are well-cared for and moving correctly. I'm truly blessed to have such a good farrier to care for my horses.
— Sandy Kern (Farmington, Mont.)