Allen Heffelbower

Courtesy of Nicole Willemin

Allen Heffelbower takes excellent care of our ponies. Not only does he take care of their hooves, he gives them massages and body scratches. The ponies love him.

— Marian Haire, Raeford, N.C.

I can't say enough good things about this guy! I met Allen Heffelbower about 6 years ago, and he has forever changed the way I look at a horse's feet. My horse Hardrock was beginning to show his age with arthritis due to his conformation. I was worried about him day in and day out. I spoke with a friend that had much more experience than I did, and she told me that the angles of his feet were not doing his knees any favors, and I should consider changing farriers. That's when I met Allen, and that horse is still standing comfortably 6 years later. It's amazing what changes can be made when your farrier truly cares, and it shows through and through time and time again. There's not a horse that has ever been on my farm that has not benefited from meeting him, even only for a few trims or some correction. He always takes his time and makes sure the job is done correctly in the best interest of the horse. It's not just his performance on their feet that really tells it all though. Every horse that meets him loves him or at least respects and accepts him. From wrestling horses that were trying to kill us, or stringing up donkeys in stalls, to teaching my kids the craft and giving the world's best scratches, there is no better man for the job, and I'm truly blessed to have him on my team!

— Nicole Willemin, Spring Lake, N.C.