Neal Poort (Crane, Mo.)
I got Neal Poort's name from a vet along with a impressive review (around 1999). I had a mare that had been foundered before I bought her. She needed better hoof care than the horseshoers I was using could give. The vet's prognosis for her was bad. Neal is a certified journeyman farrier which I guess didn't mean much to me at the time. She had some rotation and she also had a sinker. But, for the next 10-12 years, Neal kept that mare comfortable. Now Bunny (mare) really didn't like most people, but she did like to see Neal come! He'd work his magic and she felt better before he left.
Through the years I added more of my horses to Neal's list until he was doing them all (couple dozen). The improvements I saw were impressive! The geldings all worked in the rocky Ozark Hills. He fixed contracted heels, changed angles, fixed abscesses, cracks and more. He even helped some with their body pains (hip, stifle, knee, ringbone) just by how he shod their feet. Now I tell people that the title of certified journeyman farrier is important. It has made a huge difference in my horses' happiness. And really, what could be more important than that!
Thank you, Neal!
— Keep Em Close Horse Farm (Stone County, Mo.)
