On March 29, Hank McEwan of Merritt, British Columbia, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of horseshoeing and farrier students. He often is referred to as the father of Canadian farriery and was one of the founding members of the Western Canadian Farrier’s Association (WCFA) and the American Farrier’s Association.
After beginning his career as a cowboy shoer in the Canadian prairies in 1948, McEwan became the first instructor at the Porterville Horseshoeing School in California. In 1981, he became the chief instructor at the Kwantlen College Farrier Program in Langley, B.C. When he retired from teaching in 1995, he had more than 700 farrier graduates to his credit.
The 2003 inductee of the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame is often described as unselfish and humble, and served the industry by being an active member in numerous farrier organizations while acting as a clinician and certification tester. He was a teacher and friend to many in this industry and will be dearly missed.
A Great Man
I met Hank in October of 2002 through a mutual friend, Larri Woodrow, when I was invited on the Haller Ride. Larri arranged for me to ride Hank’s horse. Hank taught me three lessons that fall:
1 When riding in the mountains and you are told to do the back cinch up, do it up tight. Hank really meant tight. He came along to check my gear and I was told, “It was there for a purpose, not for decoration.” Here, we barely make it snug because we don’t have steep terrain. Now all my horses are used to a tight back cinch.
2 Hold onto your reins. I was allowing his horse a drink and he jerked his head and I let one rein fall. Before I could jump down to pick it up, he stepped on it and broke it. I got the “greenhorn” look from Hank. I paid a lot more attention after that.
3 The real cowboys always put their hats on first, even after having a shower. That I can attest to.
In spite of the first two incidents, when I had the opportunity to ride with Hank again 10 years later, we always met and said goodbye with a hug and a hand shake.
I always knew he was good in his profession, but it wasn’t till this week, after reading all the stories on social media, that I now realize I rode with such a great man.
— Jim Boucher, Binscarth, Manitoba
Great Friend, Outstanding Horseman
I first met Hank McEwan in 1969 in California. He was teaching horseshoeing in Porterville, Calif. He always had an athletic movement and was fit and in shape. Hank joined us numerous times on our Anvil 21 Pack Trips. It was a great pleasure as we gathered around the campfire and related stories of our lives and shoeing.
I admired his ability to disagree with you and not offend. He had his own opinion and was willing to share it. He was a real veteran with a long life of experience. Hank trained some outstanding farriers, so his knowledge and legacy lives on. He was a good man, great friend and outstanding horseman. He will be missed by the farrier world. Thanks, Hank, for your life.
— Lee Green, Yucaipa, Calif.
An Inspiration And Mentor
I was fortunate enough to have done my farrier training with Hank in 1982. Inevitably, someone in the class asked if we were going to learn corrective shoeing. Hank’s response was that we were going to learn correct shoeing and not to worry about that other stuff. That fundamental has stuck with me all these years and served me well.
While in shoeing school, I sometimes went with Hank on weekends when he looked after some of his shoeing clients. It gave me the opportunity to pick his brain outside the classroom and see the practical side of running a business. Usually there were drinks after a day of shoeing.
I have been attending the WCFA fall conference since it started and always looked forward to seeing Hank. It always struck me how ageless he seemed. He looked the same to me in later years as he did when I was in his class.
I valued his opinions, of which he had many, and he was never afraid to express them. He always shot from the hip! He was an inspiration and mentor to many, including myself. He will be missed.
