The farrier industry lost a mentor and true gentleman when Red Renchin unexpectedly passed away on Aug. 29, 2015. The International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame farrier and technical editor of American Farriers Journal was 70 years old.

Renchin started shoeing while still attending high school in Albert Lea, Minn. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he continued to develop his footcare talents and later became well known for his work with hunters and jumpers at all levels of competition, including the Olympics.

Renchin operated a successful multi-farrier practice for many years in Mequon, Wis., and also served his clients’ footcare needs during the winter months in Wellington, Fla.

After a serious illness forced his retirement, he became an award-winning writer for American Farriers Journal. He was an American Farrier’s Association certified farrier, a member of Anvil 21, an honorary life member of the American Association of Professional Farriers and the Upper Midwest Horseshoers Association. A frequent speaker and moderator at the International Hoof-Care Summit, he also served as an outstanding clinician at hoof-care events around the country.

Renchin’s colleagues and friends will remember him for his undying passion for the farrier industry and his love of the people within it. Here is what colleagues had to say about his numerous contributions to the industry.

An Old Friend Will Be Missed

I was Red’s first apprentice, starting in 1971. He was easy to work for and get along with, and it didn’t take us long to start building his multi-farrier business. I had a great time working with him and learned so much.

Back then, we didn’t have all the new products and techniques we have today, but he passed along much of his vast knowledge to me and took the time to teach me a great deal over the 5 1/2 years I worked with him.

We stayed close friends after I went out on my own. He saw the many benefits of working and training apprentices and always worked with apprentices until he retired.

Like other farriers, I could count on Red’s help with any problem. He was always willing to help any farrier. Right up until he passed away, I still asked him questions and appreciated his willingness to be open and honest.

There wouldn’t be half as many successful farriers in our area if Red hadn’t been here to teach us.

— Mike Ehlert, Hartford, Wis.

A North Star For Farriers

I knew Red for 30 years, but didn’t really get to know him as a friend until he moved to Florida after he retired. Years earlier, I had shod a lot of horses for him when his clients would come down here for Florida’s winter events. I learned a lot just by looking at the feet of the horses he’d shod.

The young farriers who work for me say Red was the best gentleman that they’d ever met in this industry. That’s not to say there are a lot of bad people out there, but he was different.

When young people who work for me arrive in Florida, the well-known veteran farriers often intimidate them. Then Red would come along and make them feel like they were an important part of the farrier profession. He’d talk to them, ask how they’re doing, what their concerns were and make them feel like they were part of the hoof-care business. It meant a lot to them.

He was the North Star for a lot of farriers coming up, someone to try to be like and work like. Red was one of a kind and we all need to try to be more like the way he was.

— James Gilchrist, Wellington, Fla.

Always A Teacher

The biggest thing for me was the way Red handled his apprentices, as it can be frustrating when you’re trying to learn these skills.

Red would let you try a new technique after you’d been watching him for a few days. When you were having problems, he’s say, “I knew you were going to struggle on that part.”

When I’d ask why he let me struggle, he’d say, “Because, Mark, now you know where to pay attention. Up until that point, you thought you were watching me closely when I was demonstrating the technique. Now you will carefully watch that part of your work because that’s where
you struggled.”

Red directed your attention to the fine details. His ability to teach and the patience he had were incredible.

It always bothered me that he believed new apprentices cost him money because they slowed him down while he showed us how to do things. Even though he knew new apprentices cost him money for a certain number of weeks before they started being helpful and profitable, he always took the time to teach us and turned out many successful farriers.

His ability to teach was memorable and I was lucky to work with him for 10 years. Red turned out a lot of very good farriers.

— Mark Ellis, Butler, Wis.

A Master Of Giving Back

Red Renchin was an incredibly gracious individual and colleague. We worked as a team on any equine patient we saw.

My greatest memories of Red involve the number of foal and young horse cases we worked on. He was a true master of using Equilox, and we were able to help foals with crooked legs and various types of growth abnormalities. I always told him that the work he did was far more important than anything I was doing. He would laugh at this, but it was true.

There were times when we would have four foals anesthetized at the same time. I would do surgeries on the foals and he would work on the feet at the same time.

Red deeply touched everyone at this clinic. It was such an honor for me to work with someone of his knowledge, integrity and true caring. He was the master of giving back to others.

— Dr. Doug Langer, Wisconsin Equine Clinic, Oconomowoc, Wis.

Only A Phone Call Away

I started shoeing by apprenticing with Mike Ehlert, who was Red’s first apprentice. After working with Mike for a few years, Red took me along to a few clinics and I got to know him really well.

When I started, it seemed like there was only one horseshoer working at a time in a barn. When farriers didn’t get along, Red would urge everyone to work together. He never had any problem helping anyone with any concern. He played a big part in helping farriers in our area work together.

Red convinced me to become more than just a basic shoer. He made me want to get into specialty work. And when needed, his advice was never more than a phone call away.

Without Red’s guidance, I’d probably still be a horseshoer, but not doing the work I do today at vet clinics. He pushed me in the right direction and helped take my career and skills to the next level.

— Todd Gillis, Richfield, Wis.

Teacher And Mentor

I spent a day last winter with Red discussing horses’ gaits and how to make them more efficient. It was like spending a day once again with my father, as I was all ears when it came to soaking up Red’s vast knowledge!

Red is what every farrier should strive to be — a gentleman, professional, giving and forgiving of others who are not.

My photos from the day we spent together will be used in every clinic I do from this day forward.

— Tim Cable, Blasdell, N.Y.

An Industry Icon

Red and I would have dinner together once or twice a year and talk about how the industry has changed. My fondest memory is that he was always a gentleman and a true ambassador for the profession.

He always offered his help graciously and would often be found at a meeting surrounded by young farriers, offering advice and experience. Thank you Red for helping pave the path to leadership and respect within our
farrier world.

— Scott Lampert, Lake Elmo, Minn.