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

Several co-workers paid tribute to him in this article. In addition, you are welcome to post your thoughts on Red and his outstanding career here as well.

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 served his clients 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, an honorary life member of the American Association of Professional Farriers and the Upper Midwest Horseshoers Association. A frequent speaker at the International Hoof-Care Summit, he also served as an outstanding clinician at a number of 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.

Please share your own memories of Red in the comments section below.

An Old Friend Will Be Missed

I was Red’s first apprentice, starting in 1971. Easy to work for and get along with, 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 his instilled his vast knowledge in 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 worked with apprentices until he retired.

Like other farriers, I could always 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 always 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 he’d send clients down here for Florida’s winter events. I learned a lot by looking at the feet of the horses he’d shod.

The young farriers that work for me say Red was the best gentleman that they’ve 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, some of the well-known veteran farriers often tend to 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 group. 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 the technique 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 number of weeks before they started being helpful, he took the time to teach and turned out many successful farriers.

I worked with Red for 10 years and his ability to teach was memorable and  I was lucky to have hooked up with him. Red turned out a lot of very good farriers.

— Mark Ellis, Butler, Wis.

If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It

Red was very serious and joking was minimal when we were working. He could be funny, but work was always serious business. He didn’t do much joking at work, but you were certainly friends at the end of the day.

Red would give presentations at area clinics and was a great speaker. It always seemed weird when I’d been working only a year or two with Red that I would help him teach people with 20 or 30 years of equine and footcare experience.

I’ve never seen anyone shoe feet any nicer than Red. His work was always a step above that of many other farriers. I always admired what he envisioned. If you can dream it, you can do it and that’s what Red did.

— Kelley House, Colgate, Wis.

A Master Of Giving Back

Red Renchin was an incredibly gracious individual and colleague. We worked as a team on any equine patients that 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.

— Doug Langer, DVM, 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 on only one horseshoer working at a time in a barn.  When farriers didn’t get along, Red would urge everyone to get along. He never had any problem helping anyone with any concerns. 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 the day 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 hoof-care clinic that 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.

Worked From Dawn To Dusk

One of the benefits of working with Red was that he had operations in Wellington, Fla., and you got the chance to go with him there in the winter and get out of the cold Wisconsin weather.

The first time I went to Wellington, I hadn’t realized just how much work Red crams into a day. We’d get in the truck by 7:30 and we’d be at work by 8. We would work until 8 at night. It was solid, intense work shoeing horse after horse after horse.

Each evening, when the horses were shod and the trucks were clean, Red would take me out to Cobblestones, a local restaurant, for dinner. On our way, we’d pass this art store that sold all sorts of items. It was always twilight when we passed the store, but I always managed to get a quick peek in the window, as we would drive past.

The thing that caught my eye each night was a painting of a peach-colored horse with a flowing mane stretching out into a graceful canter, set against a red sky. I really wanted to take that painting home as a souvenir, but we were always driving past when it was dark and the store was closed.

On the last day of work on that trip, I asked Red if I could clock off 2 hours early because I wanted to go to this art store and pick up the picture of the beautiful, graceful horse.

Red said, “Sure, no problem,” and gave me the keys to his truck.

When I got to the store during daylight hours, I realized there was no picture of a peach-colored horse cantering gracefully against a red sky. What I had been glimpsing each day on the drive was a picture of the backside of a naked woman with flowing hair reclining on a red sofa. I’d been focused so much on work during that time period that I ended up seeing horses everywhere! The woman on the sofa was graceful, so at least I got that detail correct.

Thank you, Red, for opening up a world of experience and learning for me. Thank you for the memories and the laughs, and for molding me into the farrier I am today.

— Chris Adickes, Grafton, Wis.

A Gentle Soul

I spent a lovely day with Red last winter. We admired the qualities of true horsemen. Red remarked that it isn’t easy to find people who can maintain a high level of horsemanship. The Standardbred racehorse facility we visited had a staff that were capable horse handlers and grooms and could drive their own horses, as well as adequately shoe a horse if the need arose. 

Red really struck me as a gentle soul, with a kind eye for horses. I consider myself lucky to have known him. 

— Ashley Gasky, Ballston Lake, N.Y.

Always A Hard Worker

I met Red when he was still a young horseshoer. The rest is all history, as he grew to be a good farrier. Red was always a hard worker and he will be well missed.

— George Fitzgerald, Sandy Hook, Conn.

Infectious Enthusiasm, Immense Impact

My encounter with Red was sadly short.  I only met him a year ago, but in the few moments I got to share with him, Red built my confidence, treated me as a valuable part of the farrier industry and made me laugh. His enthusiasm was infectious!

Red, though our actual time together was way too brief, your impact was immense.  Thank you for all you have done for me.

— Paige Poss, Marshall, Va.