International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member Gene Armstrong of Paso Robles, Calif., passed away Jan. 8, 2025.

An outstanding farrier and active member of the American Farrier’s Association, Armstrong was the energetic farriery instructor at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. He was known for teaching his students to take care of the whole horse — from minds to hooves.

“He was by far the most influential professor for me at Cal Poly,” Susan Watkins says. “He was by far the best teacher, farrier, cowboy, mentor and human who ever pulled on a pair of cowboy boots. The world was a much better place for having [him] in it.”

A constant learner, Armstrong’s clinics let him share shoeing ideas with many other farriers around the country. He was known for his willingness to travel anywhere farriers wanted to learn more about hoof care. His philosophy was that putting on a clinic was always worthwhile if he could show only one person the importance of proper hoof care.

“He made such a tremendous difference in the lives of so many people and horses,” says Alice Johnson, a fellow Hall of Fame farrier. “He was a friend, mentor and legend. Our loss is unfathomable. I am so grateful for this man. His impact on my life has been so huge.”

Armstrong’s work influenced many farriers including Hastings, Neb., farrier Phil Fisher, who passes along the knowledge he learned from the Hall of Fame farrier.

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