American Farriers Journal would like to thank the many farriers who dedicate their time and skills to the equine industry. This year marks the 25th annual Farriers Week — a time dedicated to celebrating your contributions to the profession. As part of that celebration, we invited everyone in the equine community to share tributes to their farriers. Here we’ve highlighted just a few of those submissions. More stories and photos can be found on our website in “Farriers Spotlight,” which launches July 9th. Visit this page to read more about these special farriers.

Appreciation from Horse Owners

Clayton Wilber is an excellent blacksmith who goes beyond the normal duties of a blacksmith. He continued to keep my 29-year-old mare sound by forging and welding custom, heel-plated shoes. My younger, sensitive mare who is usually scared of men is not scared of him. The best thing he does is to take the time to explain what he is doing and why. He educates the owner.

— Louisa Killian, Melbourne, Fla.

Good things come to those who persist.  My 12-year-old rescue Mustang gelding arrived April 2022 with hooves that looked as if they’d never been trimmed and not picking up his backs. We went to work training him for the farrier, not knowing it would take 5 months with a dozen refusals from vets and farriers and a relay of referrals across Texas to get us to Hunter Glisson-Warner. Before Hunter came in September, it seemed a life-or-death situation. My horse’s…