Mike Hayward

We live in Santa Cruz, California, and over the years have been really lucky to have a number of great farriers. Mike Hayward is the best of the best. We've seen a huge difference in our two older Quarter Horse geldings in the year and a half since he's been working with them. Smokey is 25 now, and has had navicular problems since long before we bought him in 1999. Mike keeps him sound and comfortable. When Mike first started coming to the ranch, Smokey had to have someone stand with him at all times, especially when the forge was running and he was being hot shod. This Monday, Mike and Angel came out to shoe, and Smokey pretty much fell asleep at the tie post. He used to rear up when his front left was being worked on, and now he barely moves. I have watched Mike always go above and beyond in the interest of the horses' comfort, many times to the detriment of his own. He handles the horses and their owners with immense skill, calmness, tact, humor and respect. He is a master at his craft, and the horse world is a better place for his presence (as was the elephant world, during his previous life working with them in the circus, which is a story I'll leave for Mike to tell). I am including some photos from past shoeing sessions with Mike and his apprentice Angel.

— Eleanor Anderson (Santa Cruz, Calif.)