Thanks to technology and the personal connections that the internet provides, we can share and learn almost anywhere and anytime from peers all around the world.

I have experienced many “why didn’t I think of that” moments from seeing the pictures and videos shared by smart and talented farriers and media producers on social media. One of those projects came from Peter Peers, a Rhodes Minnis, England, farrier. Peers shared pictures of an interesting hold down tool on his Facebook and Instagram pages.

The tool uses a pritchel hole and spring effect to hold down a horseshoe for procedures such as creasing that tend to move the shoe. I work alone, as so many farriers do, so I thought the hold down tool could be a valuable addition to my toolset. I decided to make one for myself, based on the pictures that Peers presented. The following steps demonstrate how I built the hold down tool.

The pritchel hole in my anvil measured 9/16-inch. As luck would have it…