The San Francisco Bay Area is among the true American equine hot spots.

The diversity of breeds and disciplines ensures plenty of hoof-care work in an area with a considerable concentration of wealthy clients who make their living in the high-tech hub known for being the home of such giants as Intel, Cisco, Meta, Apple and Google. A higher cost of living enables farriers to charge 40-60% higher than the surrounding rural areas.

Somerset, England, native Mike Hayward immigrated to the U.S. while training and providing footcare for the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus elephants for 7 years. In 2008, he graduated under the tutelage of International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer Bob Smith from Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif. Today, he primarily focuses on performance horses and therapeutic cases around the Bay Area.

It’s substantial territory, requiring Hayward to schedule his clients based on location. His team is in Woodside on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. He visits Sonoma clients on Wednesday, while Friday is devoted to South Gilroy. Santa Cruz is added to the rotation when necessary.

Covering a large equine population over a sizable area keeps…