www.americanfarriers.com/articles/2012-farriers-spotlight

2012 Farriers Week: Farrier Spotlight

Welcome to the 2012 National Farriers Week Farriers Spotlight!

June 7, 2012

National Farriers Week

Farriers work hard year-round to provide quality hoof care for horses worldwide. To honor their dedication and service, American Farriers Journal created National Farriers Week. In its 14th year, National Farriers Week is an opportunity to honor your farrier.

For the first time ever, American Farriers Journal has put together this online-exclusive dedicated to showcasing some of the many farriers in the industry. The farriers featured here were either submitted to us by horse owners worldwide, or were stories sent in by farriers about what they are doing in the industry.

There are plenty of photos, videos and anecdotes for you to read and see. Be sure to share this with your family and friends, and stop by the "Thank You Farriers" page at the end of the Farriers Spotlight to give your own "thank you" to our beloved farriers.

Thank you farriers, and Happy Farriers Week!

— Michelle Drewek and the American Farriers Journal team

Farrier Tributes, in alphabetical order by last name:

Aaron Murphy

"This is an interesting case where a pregnant mare stress foundered and rotated. We had 6 months before she was due to foal when her coffin bone protruded through. To make a long story short, the vet (Dr. Stacy Huntington) and I managed to keep her sound enough to have her foal in February and raise it a full year before we lost the other hoof due to stress. The following photos illustrate the case."

Bryan Koch

This is the story about a horseshoer who started as a teenager helping his grandfather trim his logging horses in the 1970s. He grew up around horses and cattle, quarter horses bred on the family farm and draft horses used on the family farm. He went to Oklahoma Farrier College, got his formal training from Bud Beaston and returned to the east coast to set up his business in 1975. He worked very hard and traveled long distances to earn the trust of the old timers and they, in turn, let him have some of their knowledge.

This is how you learned in those days…the days before there was a keg shoe for every type of horse and hand-mades ruled, the days when you bought lengths of steel and nails were purchased by the pound not the count, the days of oakum and pine tar, the days of cutting leather pads out of hides not purchased precut, the days of making your shoeing box and coal forge because these things could not be purchased.

And he learned. He joined the fledgling AFA, #874. He traveled with local shoers on the days he had little work and they in turn helped grow his business by turning over clients that they could not get to on a regular basis. He did not let them down, and the clients, they recommended him to other horse owners - pretty typical for this time period. But, he also excelled and continued to learn from every horse. He attended conventions and seminars with Bruce Daniels, Burney Chapman, Danny Ward and Bob Scrazio.

He took care of race horses: broodmare with crooked legged foals, sales yearlings that needed some help to bring top dollar, multi-million dollars breeding stallions — and when one foundered, he saved his breeding career. The veterinarians began to take notice and they referred cases to him. He made one of the first glue on shoes, to help a broodmare keep her foal through gestation; I still have it. It’s a steel shoe with a metal rim welded around it, he held it on with Quik-Poly.

As our life together changed and children came along, so did the horse industry. The Saddlebreds and Morgans had left the area but the Thoroughbred was still king, on the racetrack and the show ring. There are many riders that credit him for keeping their favorite mount going through one more show, one more season. There were many children who won ribbons on ponies that he kept sound, because no one else could. There are owners who cried on his shoulder when the vets could not figure out what was wrong; and as he continued to shoe to the vet’s prescription, he found sources to refer them to. And, there are owners who cried on his shoulder after purchasing a horse passed by a vet, but not by him; he had warned them that there were underlying problems. His purple tee-shirts became infamous.

He specialized in the one percent of horses that could not be done by just any horseshoer. This time, as his reputation grew, owners and trainers kept him their secret. Their horses were winning and they did not want him shoeing the competition. He was busy and the horse industry was changing again, the big breeding farms were gone and the TB was declining but horse shows were plentiful and crowded, he was satisfied. He had been shoeing for almost 40 years — his boys were grown, it was time to cruise.

The spring of 2010 was brutally hot and he was not feeling well. His physical in December did not show anything remarkable but I persuaded him to go to the doctor again. This time they found something and it wasn’t good. We got a diagnosis in June…cancer, too far along. He continued to shoe through the middle of August, when he just could not go on. It was then that he told his clients and began the process of making sure that he found someone to take care of this special horse or that peculiar pony, that all of his clients were covered. They came to visit, everyday, clients and shoers until the end of September when I had to ask them to stop, he was just not strong enough. He died on October 6, 2010. He was Bryan Vern Koch, my horseshoer, my husband and my best friend. I will miss him forever.

— Marcy Koch, owner of Anvil Mountain Farm (Westminster, Md.)

Carlos Rodriguez

In 1999, I was inducted into the Equine International Hall of Fame. I'm a veterinarian and a farrier as well. I have competed in forging competitions worldwide and have been teaching in my country for 26 years. I am a Certified Farrier by the AFA international lecturer. This year I established a weekend course every 15 days for people who love horses. Alexi Gutierrez came to my country May 26-27 to teach and judge a farriers competition. Gene Ovenick had came here years before, as well as Dr Janice Young and many others. Please don't hesitate to call +584143227648, email me carlosfrodriguezg@hotmail.com or use my Blackberry pin 26A567D1. God bless you all.

Dan Larimer & Cade Walker

My husband, Dan, has been a farrier 30-plus years. He developed cancer 5 years ago, followed by 4 surgeries and chemo/radiation, and just 2 months ago developed a new cancer. Entering the scene to help with the farrier business was our grandson Cade, age 18, who also had cancer (brain tumor). Cade finished his chemo/radiation his junior/senior year of high school. Dan is going through chemo now and getting prepared for a stem cell transplant. Dan’s right collarbone broke, and that's how the cancer was found. So, he even started shaping shoes left-handed — which was a challenge — while he was recovering from surgery. It's been 2 months now, and he and Cade work on non-chemo days.

To see my husband pass his knowledge onto another generation brings me to tears, especially knowing they both have fought the cancer. Cade watches out for grandpa now.

— Connie Larimer

DJ Talbot

DJ Talbot is my farrier, but he is more than that to me now. I now call him my friend, too.

I had several shoers in the first year that we moved here to Missouri from Illinois. Most of the shoers I had when we first moved were uneducated and not too skilled beyond being able to do an OK trim. They were what I would call a “backyard shoer.” Most are self-taught. This is a real problem that we see here.

The second year we lived here we rescued a yearling filly from very bad conditions. She was in sad shape with her feet and legs due to neglect and poor nutrition. She was down in the back legs and turned out pretty bad in front. The right front was especially turned out. After her other issues were addressed I asked my vet who I should get to address her feet issues. My vet highly recommended I give DJ Talbot at Safire Farrier a call. My vet did shoeing when he was going through vet school, so I trusted his opinion on getting a good shoer.

So, I called DJ later that day. He came out as soon as he could.

When I first meet DJ I knew he was different. My horses and donkey were calm around him. That was important, as my new filly had never had her feet touched by a shoer. I also own a mini donkey (who was pregnant at the time), and she fell head over heals in love with him. She still loves him and brays when she hasn't seen him in a while.

When DJ first came out he first looked over each horse from head to toe and moved them —evaluating the whole animal not just there feet.

With my young mare (at the time a 1-year-old solid golden champagne paint mare) we decided that due to the fact she was still so young, we would try and correct what we could with issues she had going on.So, we decided that we would put special shoes on her front feet and trim corrections on her backs. It worked. Over the course of the next two years or so, we have corrected her back feet completely and the left front completely and we got her right front to the point that you can hardly tell that it turns out at all. As she is now filling out in her chest (she is now a 4-year-old) her foot is less and less turned out. She is now able to go barefoot with no issues, and we can keep her corrected with just trimming her feet. She still has to be trimmed just so or she will move off funny.

I do credit DJ for her turning out as good as she has, and realizing that it could be corrected in the first place and knowing how to do it. DJ has been the only one I have totally trusted to do this mare. She has had to have other shoers when she was away at a trainers for 30 days, but when she got home I had to have DJ out to correct her again. She really does have odd feet.

My Donkey (Lucy) had a foal (Addy) and like her mom, she loves DJ. He is the only Shoer that has ever done her feet. He has always been slow, calm and understanding with her. Donkeys don't trust easily and do lose trust easily. They have always trusted DJ. So do I.

I have one other horse (a 16-year-old QH mare named Penny) that took a fall shortly after we moved here. This caused her to have issues with one of her shoulders, which caused her to be lame on her left front. Working with my vet for over a year, the vet thought that it was in her hoof. DJ and I both thought it was actually an issue in her shoulder. We were right. The vet did want us to keep shoes on her so she would break over at the toe. This did prove to help a lot, so do to the fact that I don't like to keep shoes on my horses, DJ was able to trim her in a way that she stays sound and still can be bare foot. I like that he takes the owners wishes into consideration too.

What I have come to see is that DJ is always up front, honest and has you and your equine’s best interests in mind. He loves my animals, and he loves what he does. I am very proud to call him my farrier, and I have also come to call him my friend.

The pictures I have sent are of DJ and Rose, my Champagne mare that we save, and of our younger donkey, Addy. These pictures where taken when DJ did a project with a cut out named Stanley. It was a paper cut out of a boy that was sent to him from a school in another state. The cut out went with him for a week, and he had pictures that where taken along the way that he than sent back to the school he came from, along with the cut out that they sent to him and a short story of what he did when he was with DJ. We loved being a part of it, and DJ loved doing it. He took him many places in the area, not just on his shoeing jobs.

— Stephanie Sanderson (Holt, Mo.)

Dr. Ramanathan

Horse lovers at times forget that keeping horses healthy and fit, whether for competition, racing or breeding, is a combined effort upwards from the groom, to the rider, to the vet, and most importantly, the farrier — "no feet, no horse!"

I am an active equestrienne from India, having grown up all my life with a love for equestrian sports and horses — not a common trait in Indians!! After a hiatus of 14 years I restarted my riding, having gotten selected to represent India at the 2010 Asian Games, as well as holding the current National Dressage Title.

I met my vet, Dr. Ramanathan, fondly known as " Ramu." The brief that I was given was that Ramu does not travel outside his domain (one of India's leading race horse farms in Pune) for anyone. I gathered some courage since I had to deal with a very emotional issue — my 21-year-old retired, first warmblood import into India by any civilian — had been suffering from chronic laminitis and X-rays revealed that the P3 was almost penetrating through the sole! The pain was so severe that the horse could not take any weight on his fore legs and bute wasn't an option any longer. I wasn't prepared to see Jerry so helpless. One call to Dr. Ramanathan and within a week we had scheduled to meet. Jerry is currently enjoying his retirement in the farm. He is lunged daily and taken on a hack every alternate day.

Dr. Ramanathan, is a multi-talented person: a blacksmith (he makes hot shoes for horses in 30 minutes!), a farrier and most importantly, someone who is not only an artist with his veterinarian knife, but also someone who has the talent to immortalize the horse into the most amazing sculptures and art work! I feel lucky to have found not only a friend and a guide, but an indispensable horseman on whom I can have complete and utter faith.

With my best wishes to all the farriers that have contributed towards the welfare of one of the finest sentient beings on earth — The Horse.

— Shruti Vora

It stands to reason that one cannot excel in their field, if they do not love the work and the tools. Dr. Ramanathan proves this orthodoxy as one can see from this statue, which he made, that he loves all sorts of metal work.

In addition to being an artist, Dr. Ramanathan is concerned with a horse’s well being. His degrees in the veterinary sciences prove this to me. He therefore embodies what one looks for in the ideal farrier, an artist and a carer.

The story of our mare Star Rock highlights both these traits of his. When Dr. Ramanathan came to our farm – Equus (Talegaon, India) – as the senior vet, he inherited a severely laminitic mare, Star Rock. She had NO pedal bone and Dr. Ramanathan maintained her painlessly and in fact even bred with her. Of the four foals she produced, under his watch, one ended up coming second in the 2008 Indian Oaks!

Personally, it was most important that she was kept comfortable and pain free. I am pleased to say that Dr. Ramanathan managed that. The four foals were a bonus!

Two further examples that I wish to highlight, throw light not just on his abilities but also on his sensibilities. Tablaeu Vivant, a mare we imported to India early in 2012 had poor feet.

Finally is the case of our 3-year-old Thoroughbred, Bleu Foncee. She injured her right hock in early 2011 and after a few medical procedures that did not work, she went laminitic in her left hind. Dr. Ramanathan tried to save her but in his own opinion, euthanasia was the best option for her. What startles me most about this incident is not that we lost a potentially spectacular racehorse, but his reaction. I can vouch for the fact that Dr. Ramanathan tried absolutely everything to save her and couldn’t. His own despondency at the end result as well as his desire to improve his laminitic care speaks volumes about him as an individual.

— Amay Ruia

Esco Buff

On behalf of myself, my husband, Mark Heberling, Waverly Pond Farms (Farmersville, N. Y.) and Rosebud Stables (Arcade, N.Y.), we would like to submit the following tribute to a collection of farriers who have worked together tirelessly as a team for the betterment of a spotted draft horse rescued from the New Holland Pennsylvania “Killpen” late last year named “Eddy.” We have attached a picture of Eddy from a few days ago and a picture of farrier procedure 1. Eddy has had the care and commitment of seven wonderful farriers since his rescue, given the fairly severe hoof-related issues he suffered from (canker in both front hooves and hoof avulsions), which conditions are likely responsible for landing this horse at New Holland in the first instance.

We would like to recognize Master Farrier Esco Buff, Phd, APF, CF (AIM)(Webster, N.Y.) who has been at the head of this case, and the rest of the team of farriers, including: Joe Lyford (Ellicottville, N.Y.), Mark Yount, Jr. (Bliss, N.Y.), Master Farrier Matt Ferut (Hawk Equine Services; DuBois, Penn.), Jason McKinney (Rimersburg, Penn.), Master Farrier Steve Krauss (Cornell University Equine Clinic; Ithaca, N.Y.) and AFA Certified Farrier Leif Sybesma (Glenmoore, Penn).

Eddy, a 13-year-old Spotted Draft is a recent rescue that a rescue organization pulled from a kill buyer truck at the New Holland Auction, along with another Belgian Draft, Dolly, that was to be our horse. We do not know much about Eddy’s history other than he is a loving horse, but is very frightened and seems to have lost a lot of trust in humanity. Ginger Schroder and Mark Heberling

After a 60-day quarantine in Pennsylvania, at which time canker in both front hooves and avulsions were discovered by Leif Sybesma. He evaluated Eddy while he was in quarantine, and the same was initially treated with the hope of simply arresting the canker until Eddy could come to Western New York for a further, in-depth evaluation. After quarantine, Dolly and Eddy both came to Western New York and Dolly joined our herd and Eddy was to go to his new home with a family in Freedom, N.Y. It turned out that the Freedom family did not have the resources to care for Eddy or his severe hoof-related medical problems. My husband and I agreed to take him to join our herd as well. His hooves were in horrible condition. We sought out medical consultation from our equine vet and the news came that he had canker in both front feet. It was hard to get a really good assessment as Eddy will simply not let anyone touch his feet for extended periods and he has to be sedated.

After doing some research on canker, and contacting some local resources, we were given the name of Esco Buff, who handles a fair number of canker cases. Esco and our vet, Dr. Marvin, debrided the canker as much as possible on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 (procedure number 1). Eddy also had severe hoof avulsions, so those were cut away and Farrier Buff placed custom made bar shoes on his front feet. Three farriers were in attendance that day and assisted, Joe Lyford, Jason McKinney and Matt Ferut. What was wonderful about that day was the partnership formed by the farriers with Dr. Jennifer Marvin, who, as a vet, deferred to the extensive experience that the farrier team, led by Esco, brought to the table. In the line of duty, Esco’s leg was fractured due to a kick by Eddy.

The aftercare and the use of medicine on the hooves and wrapping has been very challenging as this horse is frightened by his own shadow and does not want his feet touched. It has been hard and dangerous. Joe Lyford, a barefooter with some great natural horsemanship expertise, assisted with retraining Eddy on his hoof offering for care and bandaging in the early days following procedure number 1.

Then farrier Mark Yount took over for further behavioral modification and monitoring of the avulsions and canker in the interim between procedure number 1 and 2. Ginger Schroder and Mark Heberling

On May 12, 2014, Esco, Mark and Dr. Marvin perform the second procedure. They did as much as they could at that time and it was determined that the canker spread, and X-rays to see the depth of the problem and complete anesthesia would be necessary along with appropriate facilities in which Eddy could safely recover from anesthesia. Thus, the hope was that if the canker was operable, to operate, re-shoe for support as needed (as his heels are pretty much gone) and to get his back hooves trimmed while he was under sedation to prevent them from also having avulsions and/or other problems as they are flaring and curling.

Eddy went off to the Cornell Equine Clinic on May 14, 2014, where the Cornell team led by Dr. Walker and Dr. Cheetham and another farrier, Steve Krauss, evaluated Eddy. The canker was further debrided. He is due to return to Cornell for his last procedure on June 18, 2014.

The farrier team has been wonderful. Farriers often do not have many opportunities to work together on a team and sometimes, competitive market forces drive a wedge in professional collaboration. It has been inspirational to see the teamwork of this group in action.

— Ginger Schroder & Mark Heberling
Waverly Pond Farms (Farmersville, N.Y.) &
Rosebud Stables (Arcade, N.Y.)

James Jimenez

(Farrier Product Distribution and The Associated Press contributed to this story)

I’ll Have Another wasn’t the only winner at the 138th Kentucky Derby. Farrier Jim Jimenez, who shod the horse, also shared in the victory.

American Farriers Journal interviewed Jimenez at the International Hoof-Care Summit in 2010. In this video, he shares how he helped shoe a racehorse Lava Man (now retired) via email while the horse was preparing for a race in Japan.

Jim Halverson

We bought a thoroughbred gelding, "Duke," for my daughter Anita when she was 16 or so. Besides her pet, we used the horse for demonstrations of shoes and hoof-care products over the years. Duke was not an easy horse to get along with as he thought he was a stallion when around other horses. He had relatively good feet, although the right front was a bit club footed. Anita had Duke for over 20 years and we went through several good farriers who put shoes on him, and even sometimes when the shoeing involved testing out a new horseshoe or such for our company.

As Duke aged over the years, the farriers who we called on seemed to have a harder time keeping him sound. He seemed to be lame more often than not. We called on Jim Halverson to come in a see if he could help old Duke. Jim explained that since he was an older horse now, one of the things he needed was some help and support in the hocks. Fitting some shoes with heel extensions, balancing the hooves and sure enough, right after Jim's corrections and the job done, ol' Duke paraded around the arena like he was 10 years younger. It also allowed my daughter to ride him again. Jim kept Duke in good shape and sound for several years thereafter.

Jim convinced us that he knew horses and knew how to fix them. He has been one of the very few master farriers we call on for an opinion on horseshoes, new products and to help answer important questions we get from farriers and horse owners alike. He has worked with us at trade shows and clinics explaining and showing farriers how to improve their knowledge about horses and horseshoeing. Thank you Jim!

— Ed Kinney, President
Thoro'Bred, Inc.

John Muldoon

For three owners, John Muldoon is the personification of both the art and the science of shoeing. We have included five horses in our endorsement of Muldoon’s work because we think the examples they provide cover a broad range of the problems that can happen to horses. We also emphasize that Muldoon believes that the successful farrier works with veterinary clinics.

SA Willhedu+, owned and ridden by Judith Brown, is an Arabian/Appaloosa cross performing at the dressage FEI level. He is big and burly and looks like a tough guy. His feet are tough Arab feet and, to the uninitiated, never have any health problems even though he is barefoot. However, in his pre-purchase exam when he was two and a half, the veterinary x-rayed his right front foot and found the horse already had navicular changes, due to incorrect shoeing, that could have jeopardized his career for life. In addition, although he had excellent gaits, he had slightly incorrect posture, which meant that he dragged his back feet and his hocks were stiff and unexpressive when he moved. He was also very wide behind.

By addressing the posture question and the lurking navicular through correct trimming, the horse is never lame and has a successful show career on a national, regional, and state level. The horse has to be trimmed every three weeks because the blood flow to his feet is so good due to his correct posture that his feet grow quickly. Also, his feet tend to get out of balance in that amount of time and the attention to his balance keeps him functioning at a high performance level.

Sau Paulo+/, ridden by Judith Brown and owned by Jennifer Phillippa Hankins-Brown, is a small Arabian confirmation champion who is working at the Grand Prix dressage level. Again, he has the rock hard Arab feet which would make you think that he was a dream to shoe if you didn’t know that his natural front angles make him pigeon-toed and that his left back foot flares. In addition, he has an old injury to his left hip that causes him to use his right leg harder to compensate for the left leg.

Although he began his career barefooted, as he moved up the levels he literally pounded down the left back foot. Muldoon shod him to protect the hoof from that pounding and to give him the added support needed for pirouette and piaffe. Also, to protect his stifles from the strain of “sitting” which is required by the higher-level movements, John uses a shoe with a wider outside branch. Like SA Willhedu+, Sau Paulo+/’s feet never cause him to be lame. Sau Paulo+/ is also shod every three weeks because his healthy feet grow about 3/8s of an inch in that time and his legs are too short to absorb that much growth. He, too, has won numerous national awards, as well as regional and state championships.

Another example of Muldoon’s skill is Royal Destiny, owned by Judith Brown and ridden by Pippa Hankins-Brown. This smallish Thoroughbred off the track broke his neck. Initially not expected to live, he quickly showed that he would survive. While still in the hospital and certainly in pain and drugged confusion, he let Muldoon trim his feet without being tied because Muldoon is so gentle with horses. About six months later, he heat foundered. Muldoon treated him so effectively that there is no sign of the founder.

Tank Force, owned and ridden by Pippa Hankins-Brown, is the epitome of the hoof nightmare. A big Thoroughbred, he has the typical poor feet of the breed. An early career on the track did nothing to improve his feet. An apt description is that he has three back feet, one of which is on the front. The other front foot defies definition but some of its more endearing qualities include no heel as well as both navicular and laminitic problems in the same foot. Each condition has to be treated in a way that is anachronistic to the other condition so each time he is shod, Muldoon has to determine the priorities in front of him that day. When we first got him, Panzer’s feet were being kept too narrow for their size. He went through a period of abscesses and hematomas until we could resolve these questions. Then he went to England to college with his owner.

The conditions in England were difficult for the horse and, after ten months, he appeared to be sore for no particular reason. He was taken to every farrier and vet that could possible help and they all said they could not find anything wrong. In desperation we flew him home and took him to Muldoon and the Oakridge Equine Hospital. They looked at the x-rays taken in England and immediately said that he had rotated. The rotation on the left foot was 6 degrees and on the right foot was 8 degrees. In addition, there was only 5 mm of sole, instead of the normal 10 mm. Muldoon threw the book of founder treatments at him but warned us that it had to be up to the horse as well because there was so much damage. In two weeks, the horse was sound and in a horse show. In four more weeks, the horse was second place in the nation in the USDF Thoroughbred All-Breeds Awards. After two years of assiduous treatment, Panzer had 19 mm of sole in his left and 18 mm in his right foot. The right foot, because of its navicular and laminitis conditions, is always a problem. It is constantly addressed and, as a result, the horse is a successful eventor and dressage horse.

Alouetja, owned and ridden by Clydette Womack, affectionately called “Louie,” is a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood. Louie has had a difficult case of white line disease. We purchased Louie as a four year old. He had very good feet so we kept him barefoot. The problem with this was he developed cracks in the front of each front foot. We do not know if he had white line before or after the cracks developed. The diagnosing veterinarian, Dr. Brent Hague, and Muldoon feel Louie had the disease for a long time. Since coming under the care of these men, Louie has undergone major resection work for the past year. Muldoon worked with Oakridge veterinarians Hague and Chad Zubrod. Each shoeing cycle, we x-rayed and removed any new diseased spots before shoeing. Special support shoeing techniques were required.

For several months, both feet were stabilized by plate’s custom made by Muldoon. In addition, his right foot was in a cast for several months. After his last shoeing, I was given permission to ride Louie at a walk for ten minutes and a trot for five minutes. Without the expert farrier care that Louie received from John Muldoon, I don‘t believe I would have a sound horse today.

— Jennifer Phillippa Hankins-Brown

Jon Sanders

At age 54, I naively made a completely inappropriate choice for my first horse, and I knew as much about horsekeeping as I do about rocket science. A friend referred my farrier, Jon Sanders of Flower Mound, Texas. Jon showed up and to say my horse misbehaved is being kind. In retrospect, his behavior was embarrassing. He did not charge me for his time and was so kind. He stayed for about 30 minutes and taught me some basic skills that likely saved my bacon. He taught me the concept of pressure-release, showed me how to tie a quick-release knot, and told me to short-tie my horse to teach him to stand still. Six years later, Jon is still my farrier, but now I also consider him my friend. Whenever we can arrange it, he makes us his last stop of the day so we can relax, drink beer and tell lies.

— Leah Fry (Mountain Springs, Texas)

Kasie Kirby

I had used a wonderful farrier, Pat Harmon, for many years. One day he brought along this cute little "girl" to apprentice with him. Kasie Kirby had attended the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School and wanted to learn from the best. So, Pat spent a lot of time teaching her about how to properly balance a horse and gave her opportunities to work on difficult cases.

When Pat was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer 3 years ago, I asked him who I should use for a farrier — it was going to be hard to find someone who I could trust as much as I did Pat. But he said, without hesitation, to use Kasie; that she was good and smart. I have used her ever since, and could not be more pleased with the job that she has done.

My horses are balanced and sound, and I attribute that to her. One of my boarders has a foundered horse, and I was a little concerned about using Kasie, just because she had only been a farrier for about three years. But after a year of her shoeing Jazz (the horse in the pictures), we decided to have the vet do some x-rays — just to make sure she was on the right track. And I have to say, she impressed me even more (as well as my vet) — the x-rays showed that the angles were perfect, and that she was doing everything exactly as it should be done. I feel very lucky to have found her, and hope that she will continue to shoe my, and my boarders’, horses for years to come.

— Barbara Stoltz

Ken Taube

Ken has been shoeing since 1992. In that 20 years I have watched him go from a timid not all knowing farrier to a professional, everyone goes to farrier. He works with a lot of our local veterinarians and he is the go to guy when a horse has a real problem. He loves his job and is very loyal to his customers. He is all about saving the horse and making the horse move as natural and comfortable as he can.

He has been attending farriers clinics in Columbus Ohio for the last couple of years to keep up on the latest technology and loves to read American Farriers Journal for anything new as well.

— Rachel Taube

Lee Pearce

Whiskey is an orphan BLM mustang. Whiskey was orphaned a few hours into his life in the Hardtrigger area of the Owyhee Mountains in SW Idaho. Whiskey left the range for my house on the drop-down seat in an extended cab pickup that fateful day in February 2003.

Whiskey has faced many difficulties in his life besides being an orphan horse. The difficulty that I want to write about is metabolic laminitis. Mustangs are tough horses that have adapted to eat the poor quality feeds that grow in the arid regions of the Western US.

Whiskey is no exception, and when he came to my place, he lived on pasture grass. The rich diet of pasture grass took its toll and Whiskey developed metabolic laminitis. As I wrote earlier, Whiskey is a tough horse, but by early January 2011, Whiskey would no longer stand. His condition broke my heart and I thought that my experience with my orphan mustang was over. I stood beside Whiskey, I thought about the hardships in his life, and I cried. I called my vet and I called a very good friend. Naomi Preston and her husband Lee Pearce came over and we tried to rouse Whiskey and get him to the trailer. It took a concerted effort to get Whiskey to stand and we had to place Easyboots on Whiskey’s front feet so that Whiskey could even walk the few steps to the trailer.

That day, January 3 2011, was another episode, in a series of setbacks, for Whiskey due to laminitis. We took Whiskey to my vet, Steve Hardy DVM, and we took more x-rays of Whiskey’s front feet. Steve and Lee placed wedge foam boots on Whiskey’s front feet, and Lee went on to place wedge foam boots on Whiskey’s hind feet too. Whiskey was very noticeably more comfortable with the foam boots. Whiskey’s comfort gave us optimism. All of us talked, and Lee and Naomi agreed to keep Whiskey at their home in eastern Oregon for a month or so and begin Whiskey’s therapeutic shoeing.

Whiskey’s story now moves ahead a few months to May 2011. I was preparing to leave SW Idaho for Saint Joseph Missouri, the eastern terminus of the Pony Express Trail. My plan was to take my two horses, Frank and Whiskey across the US, from the bank of the Missouri River to California, on the Pony Express Trail. By the end of the summer, many horses and riders had participated in the trip and Frank and Whiskey were there for the whole journey from end to end. Either Frank or Whiskey was on the trail every day and each horse went well over 600 miles. When I think back and remember the prairie, farmland, mountains, rivers, and deserts along the XP trail, I am very proud of my two horses and especially proud of Whiskey. It wasn’t easy for him, but Whiskey is a tough horse and he kept going westward across the country.

My farrier, Lee Pearce, gave Whiskey the treatment Whiskey needed to overcome laminitis. Proper shoeing is critical for Whiskey to remain sound and Lee helped me arrange to meet two other farriers, Kevin Sanders and Mike Sussex, halfway across the Pony Express Trail in Torrington Wyoming. Lee helped me find the two farriers through the Natural Balance network. Mike and Kevin spent the whole day in our camp in Wyoming shoeing and treating the horses on the Pony Express Trail.

Today, Whiskey lives in a dry-lot section of my pasture. Whiskey’s diet no longer includes pasture grass. Whiskey still wears pads on his front feet and Natural Balance shoes on all four feet. Steve Hardy takes lateral x-rays of Whiskey’s front feet in the spring to help Lee correctly place the shoes on Whiskey’s front feet. Whiskey and Frank both continue to do 50-mile endurance rides.

Whiskey has not had an easy life, and Whiskey is not an easy horse, but Whiskey is a tough horse. Whiskey owes his life to the care and concern of Lee Pearce, Steve Hardy, and many others. Whiskey is a good horse.

—Tom Noll (Meridian, Idaho)

Lori McBride

I use Lori McBride as my farrier, and she does a fantastic job. My horse Whiskey loves and trusts her. He just relaxes and falls asleep while she works on him. She's the best!

— Chrystal Householder

I board at a Therapeutic Horsemanship facility in Streetsboro, Ohio.

Her card states that she "specializes in gentle handling of your horses."

This seemingly simple statement is the cornerstone of a rare quality of care I have had the privilege of experiencing first hand. It spreads into every aspect of her interactions, be it with creatures of four legs or two. Lori balances a powerful combination of grace, strength, patience, and tenacity. She sets and maintains the foundation for our four-legged companions. Taking a note from A Farrier's Prayer, I have seen her "help the lame to soundness and keep the sound able to do their jobs with comfort." She ensures the smooth and steady work of the therapeutic horses carrying precious cargo. She keeps my own horses as well as fellow boarders' ready for a wide variety of disciplines from simple trims to shoes prepared for Eventing and Endurance. I am thankful for her wisdom, expertise, and willingness to educate others coupled with a humble and impressive dedication to constantly improve upon her own skill and the drive to expand her knowledge. She is a pleasure to know and priceless to the care of my horses and many others.

— Julia Garmon (Cleveland, Ohio)

Margie Lee & Don Gustafson

For about 18 years, Margie Lee, Don Gustafson and their team at Performance Horseshoeing have been attending to the hooves of a very special group of horses. Tasked with an incredibly challenging job, these horses spend their days working with children and adults with neuromuscular, cognitive and sensory disorders. They’re therapy horses at The National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT), and without the careful attention of Margie and her crew, they couldn’t help the countless individuals who come to NCEFT for horses, hope, and healing.

From a miniature horse named Roxy who pulls a cart for schoolchildren, to Beau the Clydesdale who works with wounded veterans, no horse is too small (or big) to get great individual care. It tends to be an all-day affair at the facility, with the farrier team steadily rasping and fitting their way through 14 horses, all while patiently accommodating the working schedules of each equine therapist.

When it comes down to it, they aren’t just our farriers, they’re part of our team. Every six weeks they show up bright and early, unloading hoof stands and barn dogs and taking a moment to catch up with staff. They know each horse’s name, breed, age, and history, and have patiently walked us through abscesses and mysterious lameness issues. They find time to answer questions from curious children waiting for their therapy session to start, and always seem to have a spare horseshoe on hand for each little boy that asks. In return they ask for nothing, donating their time to both the horses and the people they help. They’re our farriers, and they’re making a difference one hoof at a time.

— Shayna Fogleman
The National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy
(Woodside, Calif.)

25-year-old Sparring Partner is a unique individual to say the least. An impeccably bred Thoroughbred sold at Keenland, he was supposed to go on to an illustrious racing career.

After 3 less than spectacular starts, it was clear that this was not in the cards. At the age of 3, it was decided that there would be a career change and his new job description was that of a Conformation Hunter. He had a grueling show schedule for such a young horse, and a lot was asked of him mentally and physically...far more than he could give. He was so foot sore that he would stand for hours on end in ice water just to get to the ring, and be asked to jump 4' fences which somehow he did. However, at the age of 7, his soundness issues caught up with him and he was retired from the show ring.

A Thoroughbred through and through, he had, and still has energy to burn, and is super-sensitive making him a "special needs" horse in more ways than one. Don began shoeing Spar 10 years ago, and

I can't imagine anyone else taking the time and putting forth the energy Don has on my one and only retired horse. Spar has Cushings Disease as well as hocks that have been fusing for what seems like a lifetime. Don and his team take the time needed to deal with a different "issue" in each hoof as well as aches and pains that require the horse to rest often, making shoeing him a laborious task, but you would never know that Don had another horse to do, or another appointment to go to.

As you can see from the photos below taken recently, he is as sound, and airborne as ever, and we (Spar and I) have Don and his team to thank for that. Spar's quality of life would be nowhere near what it is today without Don Gustafson, and for that I am eternally grateful.

— Alden Corrigan
(Woodside, Calif.)

Mark Plumlee

I began taking my horses to the school (Mission Farrier School) for shoeing needs because I was tired of farriers not showing up and/or arriving late to appointments. The first time I brought my horses to class I was asked by Mark to stay and watch the students at work. Wow! I had no idea how much went into the science of horse shoeing! I had been holding the front end of the horse while farriers worked on the other end of the horse for years, but I really had no idea of what was going on. One day of observing and listening to class and I was hooked! Forward three years later and I am asking Mark if he would consider accepting me as a student! Mark sort of chuckled, looked down and around a bit and said, “Well I don’t want to be the one to say this, but you aren’t exactly a kid, and this can be pretty tough on a persons body.” Well, once I got my 44-year-old emotions more or less under control, I said, “I think I can do this!” The time I spent as a student of Mission Farrier School was tough!

My mind and body got a work out to say the least! But I am here to tell you that Mark and Karen Plumlee are two of the kindest, patient and giving people I have ever had the pleasure to be around! I went away from that school with the skills and knowledge needed to help horses and their owners. I can communicate with equine veterinarians and treat lameness issues with confidence. And just because I am no longer a student of Marks doesn’t mean I can’t still get helpful advice from him anymore. Yep, he is always just a phone call away! I swear that man could shoe a horse over the phone! J

To wrap this up, Mission Farrier School is not just about slapping shoes on horses. It is about Mark Plumlee and his passion to do good things for horses and their owners. MFS is all about the science of hoof health, and Mark Plumlee is dedicated to those who choose to pursue a career in helping horses!

— Marie Cavassa
Professional Farrier, Graduate of Mission Farrier School

My 23-year-old Thoroughbred mare was in crisis with laminitis when I first contacted Mark Plumlee at Mission Farrier School, and he told me, "If I could haul her to him he thought he could help her." That was the first positive statement I had heard regarding her condition since the onset approximately 2 weeks prior. Upon arrival that very day I found the facility to be exceptional and the individual care of each horse beyond compare and I am a longtime horsewoman and hard to impress!

That was 2 years ago and I continue to have Mark shoe my mare. She now just wears Natural Balance performance aluminum shoes in front. I have complete trust in his ability to always do the right thing regarding the well being and comfort for my horse. He is a treasure and I am so grateful to call him my farrier and friend.

— Sparkle Arend (Woodinville, Wash.)

Mark Plumlee and his graduates of Mission Farrier School have (literally) saved the lives of two of my horses. They were recommended for euthanasia by both vets and other farriers. Both horses are now healthy, working, and will be competing again! No doubt with the roundpen techniques Mark teaches to his students, he has saved the lives of a few farriers and owners too. I had a couple of fiesty youngsters and was dreading their first shoeing experience. I had them done through the school and instead of a bad time, the experience was so wonderful it made me cry. I use two Mission Farrier School graduates and I love, love, LOVE them. I will always hire Mark's graduates! Mark and Karen Plumlee are both terrific people; full of integrity. Like the MasterCard Commercial, they are PRICELESS.

Can you tell I am a big fan?

— Denise Green
Hissy Fit Farm
(Granite Falls, Wash.)

Mark Plumlee’s farrier students have been shoeing our horses for many, many years. It’s a treat to take our horses there for shoes every session. The students come from all over the world, and it’s fun to find out where they’ve come from. At first I was a bit apprehensive about having beginners shoe our horses, but Mark assured me that he watches everything that they do and we’ve always come home with quality farrier work. The atmosphere is relaxed, and our horses enjoy going. Mark has amazing skills as a teacher. He teaches more than farrier science and anatomy. He teaches horsemanship and business skills. He shows immense patience with the students and the horses, and just doesn’t get his feathers ruffled about anything. Calmness goes a long way with horses. Because we live fairly close to Mission Farrier School, we’re constantly hearing from others with wonderful stories about how Mark helped lame horses to be sound again. He’s seen the worst cases, and knows just what to do. It’s great that the students see these “problem” horses come in and can learn how to help other horses. These students have such a positive experience when they come to MFS, and they leave ready to start their own businesses. I’m sure they keep in touch with each other since they become so close at the school, and I know that Mark would always help them out with advice after they’ve graduated and gone home. Mark and Karen are very involved with our community, and help with 4-H a lot. They’ve had special classes, hosted events, and volunteered hours and hours of their time. They are the nicest, most caring people you’ll ever meet.

— Jana Lyons
Flyin’ Lions
(Snohomish, Wash.)

My 1999 AQHA mare Lil Miss Drift was diagnosed with Navicular disease in 2010. There is where my frustrating journey with vets, and farriers began. All 3 of my farriers would read her X-rays and throw on a shoe, then a pad, then more pad, then less pad, more shoe, and repeat. The last farrier I had was just convinced it was my mares shoulder because his last two sets of IDENTICAL shoeing jobs didn't help the mare. Not only did the first set not improve her, the second set he put on her were identical to the first?? How will that help my horse?? The vets were eager to take my money, and one vet gave the mare injections that I was assured would last a year. So I paid the money. At this point my next option was going to be having my mare put down. She was born on my place, and I owned her mother. She is a very special horse to my 13-year-old daughter and me. Needless to say the mare was sound after the injections, and for the first time in over a year I thought we finally had a shot at her not being in pain. That lasted 4 weeks, and then she was as lame as she had ever been. My friends told me about Mission Farrier School in Monroe, Wash. This is a 2-hour drive from my home to the school and by now, I didn't believe for one second that ANY farrier could help my mare. BUT this was my last hope.

I called Mark Plumlee and told him our story. In no way shape or form did he tell me that he could fix her, but he said he would sure try. I told him I didn't think he could help, but I would love for him to prove me wrong. So we set a date, and I hauled her up to his school. Within 10 minutes of us being there I KNEW this was the place to be. The obvious out of the box thinking made SUCH perfect sense to me!!! Just him using the angled boot on her, so SHE would let them know where she wasn't in pain while standing on her foot blew my mind!! I could have gone to vet, after vet, after vet, and farrier after farrier, and NONE of them would have done more than look at her x rays and shoe it accordingly.

This was NO solution to her pain!!!!! When in fact she didn't hurt in the typical way that the x ray showed she would. No one, and I mean NO one even attempted to figure out where she hurt, and how to build her a system that was specific to HER PAIN…until Mark Plumlee. My mare would have been put down almost a year ago, if Mark wasn't who he was, and hadn't fought against all the textbooks’ "always do this’s, and never do that’s." She is doing very well today, and is even sound for light riding. Now she is nowhere near the mess failed “professionals” left her in. I am forever great full to Mark, and his heart for the horse, not just being right, and not just the hoof. His heart is for what’s best for the horse, and that is more precious than gold.

— Rachelle Abston (Graham, Wash.)

Shoeing as palliative care. My 23-year-old mare suffers from equine metabolic syndrome and foundered 16 months ago. Laminitis followed and radiographs showed significant coffin bone rotation and sinking. But her physical condition left hope for management.

After tenderness subsided she was put in composite plastic double nailed shoes. Although there is no cure for her at the present time, she has remained mostly comfortable through special shoeing, regulation of diet and as much exercise as her pain level allows. Her condition predictably goes up and down and at times she is ride-able. She will have bad times and I contemplate putting her down, then when I next see her, she will be bright, almost sound and full of life.

Although I know that she will never fully recover, because of my farrier’s care and knowledge, we have enjoyed many months together until “it’s time.”

My horse: TT Kazania (Bey) Arabian 23-year-old mare

— Jo Frey (Lakebay, Wash.)

I acquired my first horse, Andretti, six years ago. A lifelong dream, I had no idea how much this horse and equine ownership would change my life. Andretti was released from his previous owner because of an injury to his leg, which resulted in a serious bowed tendon. My ownership came with the warning that I may never be able to actually ride him and that he would always be lame.

When my horse arrived at Mission Farrier School it was with this injury and prediction he was not ride-worthy. At that time, Andretti was wearing egg bar shoes and all his previous farriers had been saving heel. But none of that helped. In fact that combination took the frog out of the picture. You could actually look down the back of the foot and see to the toe. The frog was of poor quality and the heels were crumbling and running forward. My horse was very uncomfortable but I was at a loss at how to help. I needed guidance and education.

Mark Plumlee from Mission Farrier School and I had a conversation about Andretti, his injury and how shoeing to help get the back of the foot working again might help. The day Mark took his old shoes off and changed his trim and shoe, well I could see my horse visibly relax. It was as if his entire body dynamics changed in front of my eyes. It was an amazing thing to witness. But even more amazing to witness was what followed when I turned him out. He ran and galloped thru the pasture as if unencumbered for the first time. If horses could laugh out loud, that laughter is the sound that would have accompanied my horse running free.

Two years ago, during an ultrasound on Andretti's leg, the Vet told me given the extent of his injury he expected to see holes similar to Swiss cheese throughout the tissues in his leg. There was not a single hole in any of his leg tissue! I fully believe Mark's way of shoeing is the reason for this astounding recovery and the significant change in my horse's demeanor. Today we not only ride but Andretti is also competing again.

Mark's Farrier skills in equine hoof care and the art of shoeing and trimming are certainly matched by his incredible heart and passion for horses. Andretti is sounder now than he has ever been. It also means a greater opportunity for me to have this incredible experience of living my dream of owning and riding my horse. I believe Mark's understanding of horses, how they are built and the best approach for each individual animal saved my horse and changed his life and if I live to be 100 it won’t be long enough to thank him.

— Maurene MacDonald (Lake Stevens, Wash.)

He is an amazing farrier and horseman!

September 2011, I was gifted a horse (Phoenix) that had a horrible vertical crack and white line disease in her left front hoof. The previous owners vet and farrier said to have Phoenix put down because she would never be sound again. I knew there was hope and the best farrier for this job was Mark Plumlee. It has been a long road between DNP pads, groving, removing most of the hoof wall on Phoenix's toe, special shoes and special pads after 9 months Phoenix's crack is completely grown out and she is 100% sound. Last week we enjoyed our first ride on the beach at Nehalem Bay State Park in Oregon. Without Mark Plumlee and his great skills as a farrier Phoenix would have had no future.

— Nicole Donohue (Arlington, Wash.)

I've known Mark for 6 years now, and over this time I have seen him do amazing things; anything from fixing crooked lagged foals, saving laminitic horse, getting navicular horses back in the show ring to improved the life of a horse suffering from ring bone. After going through his program at mission farrier school I know I can do the same thing and that is an amazing feeling.

I first met Mark when I was barn manager at a local therapeutic riding program. Part of my job was to take horses to mission farrier school for mark and his students to shoe. I was immediately intrigued by Mark and his program. I had never heard a farrier talk so eloquently about hoof science before. I was also impressed I how well thought out each shoeing was and how much they could do to help the programs aging herd.

Over the next year and a half I got to know mark and what a great person he is. So when Mark offered me a job working in his boarding stable I could not resist the chance to work with such a talented man. Mark encouraged me to sit in on the school during my long lunch breaks. This is when I fell in love with hoof science. I had always wanted to help horses and I knew that with what Mark was teaching I would be able to. Mark feed my thirst for knowledge, taking time to teach me to shoe my own horse, letting me help him with lameness cases and pushed me to come through the program "officially". It took some time but I am now a official graduate of mission farrier school and shoeing professionally. Now, thanks to the priceless knowledge that Mark has given me, there is not a day goes by that I don't make a positive change in a horse's life.

Mark and his wife Karen have become family and I am truly blessed to have had been in my life.

I have attached a picture of mark teaching my class to shape shoes. I can send more pictures if you need them.

— Bridget Richardson

I first brought my TB gelding, Tucker, to Mission Farrier years ago. When I bought Tucker he it was soon evident that he was lame to the point of having to lift up his whole front end just to turn from a stand still.

With time Mark Plumlee was able to return Tucker to being completely sound, not to mention comfortable for the first time since I had purchased him. It was such a huge relief to see Tucker prancing around again instead of looking "off” and very uncomfortable.

I continued to bring Tucker and my other two horses to Mission Farrier on a bi-monthly basis for farrier care.

Our biggest struggle came in 2011 when Tucker developed canker in three of his four feet. Mark was able to turn one foot around to being healthy after a short few weeks, while the other three feet took over 8 months of care to return to health. It was touch and go for months and we all had our moments of thinking that we may have to put Tucker down.

Thankfully, now a year and a half later, Tucker, with the help of Mark Plumlee and my vet, has now made a complete recovery from canker.

I would like others to know that Mark spent months rehabilitating Tucker. For months Tucker had his feet wrapped twice a day every day by Mark, his students and by me. Never, ever a complaint from Mark. He did what had to be done and did it just as the vet and I had requested. Towards the end of Tucker's rehab Mark was dealing with a horse that was frankly sick of everyone messing with his feet day in and day out for months on end. Tucker was becoming cranky and had to manage. He began to let everyone who cared for him that he was "done". Tucker's impatience never stopped Mark though. He hung in there every day until Tucker slowly recovered.

Mark has a huge heart when it comes to horses. He does what he does because he loves it.

The good news is I now have my horse back. To this day, thinking back on Tucker's struggle to overcome canker still brings tears to my eyes that he actually is with us today! Tucker did make a complete recovery. He endured two tissue removal surgeries and three freeze treatments and over 8 months of intense farrier care by Mark.

I am so grateful to Mark and Mission Farrier for all they did for my horse, Tucker. If it weren't for Mark being willing to go the extra mile (and boy did he go the extra mile!) Tucker would not be with me today. He is a special horse, who is here now because Mark and Mission Farrier had his best interest always in mind.

— Amy Wright Klimke

I am writing on behalf of our wonderful farrier, Mark Plumlee. Our horses have been fortunate to be in his care for the past 7 years. In addition to the careful and personal attention Mark gives each horse, I’d like to note that he has spent a considerable amount of his personal time educating 4-H youth in the areas of equine science, anatomy, and horsemanship.

Mark is truly a master teacher, able to effectively communicate essential principles to youth and adults alike. His generosity, sincerity, and humble personality have endeared him to the hearts of many 4-H youth across Snohomish County. Many of these youth have exceled in county, state and national knowledge competitions in part because of Mark’s dedication to serving others, passion for education and love of horses.

Mark is an amazing man whose exemplary example and outstanding character inspire everyone he comes into contact with. We are blessed to know him.

— Kim Lobb
Snohomish County 4-H Hippology Chair
(Snohomish, Wash.)

We all want to be Mark Plumlee. His horse intuition is beyond comparison. AND, he saved my mare.

Her name is Bellarina. She is a beauty with grace, intelligence and courage. During a ride in 2009, Bellarina incurred an impact fracture while on a ride on Cady Ridge. I would soon find out that she had broken her back right cannon bone in half. She had the courage to hop on three feet down 3 miles of trail and the strength to rehab with Mark for eight long months. Mark’s knowledge of the healing process, his inventive skills to design the most unconventional yet effective shoes for every stage of her recovery brought her back to the athlete she is. Prior to the injury Bellarina won Reserve Champion for the State of Washington Competitive Trail competition in 2009.

Bellarina arrived at Mark’s facility within 24 hours of her accident. I had x-rays in hand to identify the break. Unloading her from my trailer was painful to watch. Mark stopped her immediately and started building a shoe that would facilitate her to put minimal weight on her injured foot and walk as comfortably as possible to her recovery stall. A shaped styrofoam heel with duck tape become a functioning shoe, each week that went by Mark with the help of x-rays, watched the bones remodel and lowered the Styrofoam shoe until he had that foot flat on the ground.

Bellarina continues to compete in Competitive Trail without any sign of a limp and celebrated her 20^th birthday last month.

Yes, we all want to be Mark Plumlee, not only because he saves horses but because he influenced so many lives. Mission Farrier School, located in Snohomish, WA, has provided a place for ferriers to learn the best techniques to give horses back their mobility to use their instincts, and to view their career as a calling rather than just a job.

In all of our lives a few people rise so far above our expectations that they garner our respect for the rest of our lives, Mark Plumlee is one of those for me.

— Vickie Stewart,
Owner and Partner to HP Bellarina
(Snohomish, Wash.)

Mike Bagley

I have had my OTTB for 15 years and gone through a number of farriers. My horse has thin, shelly feet with flat soles. He is a tenderfoot and always had trouble keeping shoes. He torques them off spinning in the mud. We did some rugged trail riding. He forges and clips his front shoes off with his hind hoof. I had glue ons and rebuilt hooves and mesh. You name the expensive solution. I tried to use the farrier everyone else at my barn used. My horse threw a shoe every month, usually within a week or two of being shod. Then, I got online with the National Farrier's Association, took down numbers of people in my area and started calling. I explained my concerns and problems. Some farriers wouldn't touch us. I described my horse as having "problem feet." Then, I met Mike Bagley.

Mike lives about an hour from me in Canton, Ohio. He returned my call immediately, spent time talking with me, offered to come out right away, had THE BEST prices, had tons of knowledge and talked the talk while walking the walk. He stays current on the field, is addicted to farrier books and reads to educate himself. He drove up and did my horse for less than I have ever paid. He told me my horse's feet aren't that bad and he has ones that are worse. That was more than a year ago, maybe two by now.

He is quiet and calm. He is good to the horse. He responds immediately. In all that time, I lost one shoe because it was muddy and the barn owner turned the horses out. Mine did a pirouhette and twisted the shoe. Mike was out to fix it in a day or two.

My horse has good feet. He keeps shoes on. His owner is happy. This is because of an amazing farrier who drives all that way for one horse.

We thank him.

— Gina Tabasso (Brunswick, Ohio)

— Idyll Threat (Hinckley, Ohio)

Mike Hayward

We live in Santa Cruz, California, and over the years have been really lucky to have a number of great farriers. Mike Hayward is the best of the best. We've seen a huge difference in our two older Quarter Horse geldings in the year and a half since he's been working with them. Smokey is 25 now, and has had navicular problems since long before we bought him in 1999. Mike keeps him sound and comfortable. When Mike first started coming to the ranch, Smokey had to have someone stand with him at all times, especially when the forge was running and he was being hot shod. This Monday, Mike and Angel came out to shoe, and Smokey pretty much fell asleep at the tie post. He used to rear up when his front left was being worked on, and now he barely moves. I have watched Mike always go above and beyond in the interest of the horses' comfort, many times to the detriment of his own. He handles the horses and their owners with immense skill, calmness, tact, humor and respect. He is a master at his craft, and the horse world is a better place for his presence (as was the elephant world, during his previous life working with them in the circus, which is a story I'll leave for Mike to tell). I am including some photos from past shoeing sessions with Mike and his apprentice Angel.

— Eleanor Anderson (Santa Cruz, Calif.)

Mike Stein

My farrier, Mike Stine, saved my horse’s life. When I first acquired Bates from a local trainer/farrier it appeared that he was nothing more than a washed up former event horse. The 16 year-old, 16.2 hand Thoroughbred was underweight, wormy, had horrible feet and was lame on all four legs. At one time he’d competed at the intermediate level, and to the best of our knowledge at some point in his career he’d hung his left stifle and suffered a rotational fall over a fence, possibly fracturing his C-3 or C-4 vertebrae. Years of inactivity in addition to poor farrier work had left Bates quite arthritic in both hocks, knees, the left stifle, and his neck. My first priority was to have Mike work on Bates’s feet.

He had no sole depth, under run heels, and horrible angles, so we knew that this was going to be a long process. As Mike worked to improve Bates’s balance from the ground up, I planned a careful conditioning schedule that included intramuscular joint supplements and regular chiropractic and massage therapy. Yet after 11 months this stoic gelding still had stiffness, and was frequently lame right after shoeing. In the back of my mind I was going to give him to the end of the year (three more months) before throwing in the towel and officially retiring him. But Mike wouldn’t let me give up – he didn’t feel Bates was washed up at all, and he convinced me to give him some more time (as Mike had been sponsoring Bates for the past 10 months and had put so much of his time and money into him, I decided that if he didn’t feel it was a hopeless endeavor than who was I to question).

And Mike was right. Just one month after I expressed my concern, Bates made his debut with me on the show circuit, scoring 63% and 66% at First level at a local dressage show and winning both classes. Another month later we won a Novice Combined Test with a clean show jumping round, and two months after that Bates completed his first full one-day horse trial at the Novice level, placing 3^rd on his dressage score and completing the day sound. What’s even better is that Bates is 100% sound, all the time, and he is so completely happy to have a job again. He is still arthritic, and still requires careful maintenance, but thanks to Mike’s exacting work and proper shoeing, my horse is back to doing something that he loves.

— Trisha Dingle
Whitehaven Plantation
(Bishopville, S.C.)

My Arabian mare, Ellie, had a series of illnesses and several surgeries that resulted in Chronic Laminitis. Following six weeks in the hospital, she came home with severe coffin bone rotation and sole depth of 1/16th inch in both front feet. A friend told me about Mike Stine and I askedhim to come for an evaluation. Mike assessed the dire situation and dug in immediately with custom glued on boots, wedges and impression supports. Things got worse before they got better, with false soles, total blowout of the toe, increased rotation and Coronitis. We have progressed through several pairs of boots and are now using custom rocker rail shoes with impression supports that are glued on with fiberglass support. The Coronitis left an open channel down the front of one foot, which compromised the overall hoof strength so Mike customized a brace to reinforce the hoof structure and support it for new growth. The time involved to complete this type of custom shoeing puts a great deal of stress on Ellie's opposite front foot, which generally leads to a series of abscesses in both feet. To alleviate this situation Mike made a wench controlled sling that allows us to elevate her

front end enough to prevent weight bearing during the lengthy shoeing process. We are fortunate to have post Coronitis hoof growth, however it is not yet 100% healthy and normal, which can put pressure on the Coronary band. Mike comes by every two weeks to groove and shape the new growth to alleviate the pressure and encourage correct growth. Mike's knowledge, expertise and passion for his work have brought us through 18 months of recovery despite several recommendations for euthanasia. We have progressed from lying down 90% of the time to standing 90%. Ellie spends time outside everyday and slowly but surely gets where she wants to go. Ellie would not be here today without Mike's desire to help Laminitic horses. His resourceful creativity has helped Ellie through extremely difficult situations and his dedication to his craft is unsurpassed.

— Karen Totaro (Monroe, N.C.)

My farrier puts his soul into the art he performs. He strives to continue his education learning new treatments and working with top-notch veterinarians. He not only performs very old-fashioned blacksmith work, He understands and utilizes current up-to-date treatments. I have worked him for over 15 years now and will only allow students that appren

ticed with him to come in if he is traveling. He has been flown all over the USA and New Zealand to practice his work. I find it safe to say he is welcomed everywhere. No matter what time of day or night, he is there for his customers and will come on an emergency basis right away. We as his clients try to work together to allow him to provide for us. We find the outcome well worth it. Mike Stine not only provides educational clinics using "Dolly" (an intact equine skeleton), he strives to keep his clients informed on proper hoof care during visits. I have seen him take extremely crooked legged equines and perform what I call 'bone magic'..These equines typically go on to very successful show careers. In closing I hope you find the time to let my farrier know just how much we appreciate him...(and his wife, since she rarely sees him!)

— Christine Deal,
Olde Mill Ranch

Megan Kaplan with Misty. Photo by: Dwain Snyder of Equestrian Images

I have to admit, the first time I met Mike Stine, I wondered if he would EVER finish trimming and shoeing my horses. This man LOVES to talk, but if you listen, you’re going to learn something.

Triples Te Dee (aka Misty) is a now 10-year-old Paint mare with a very successful showing career and tons of PAC (Paint Alternative Competition) points, but when we first met Mike back in 2008, Misty had everyone baffled. We had had the vet out, the farrier out, the vet and the farrier, the chiropractor, gone to a specialized vet, and then someone suggested, “You need to have Mike do an evaluation of Misty.”

I had already met Mike when he came over to do my friend’s horses, and I was amazed that she was relieved when it only took 3 hours to trim two ponies’ feet and shoe another mare. I wondered how serious he was, and whether my friend was right — that Mike would be able to figure out what was “wrong” with Misty.

Mike came out and watched Misty on the lunge line and then under saddle, and I learned more in 5 minutes than I had learned in 6 years. He checked the saddle fit to see whether we were getting proper forward motion from the entire shoulder, among other things affected by saddle fit. He gave us a 20-minute demonstration of recommended massages for Misty and made sure we could do them, too.

He figured out in 10 minutes what no one else had been able to figure out in over a year. Even while he was talking and joking, he was very in tune to what Misty was doing; he figured out why, explained it, and then explained how we were going to “fix it.”

So for the next 4 months, I endured 3-hour farrier visits, learned more than I ever knew about trucks and truck engines, and I began to see a difference. A bigger positive change occurred after each visit from Mike. And in July, my daughter won Champion at the NC State 4H Horse Show in Equitation on Misty, and was nearly Western Pony Champion too (that story is too long and I’ll start to sound like Mike!) Misty went on to earn certificates from her participation in PAC shows, and won Champion 3 years in a row in a local circuit.

The amazing thing about Mike is that he took a “train-wreck of a pony” and helped us turn her around and become the Champion we all believed she could be — including Mike.

— Miranda Kaplan (Waxhaw, N.C.)

Neil Daly

Pyper, my mare suffered from extremely long toe, low heel, low palmer angles and crushed digital cushions. She was presenting lame in all four feet with limited range of motion in her hip and hocks. She was reluctant to move, depressed and unable to perform even the simplest dressage movements. I was very fortunate to get help from Dr. Myers' team. Dr. Tookie Myers is a Veterinarian/Farrier from the US specialized in difficult hoof pathology and he partnered with my local Canadian farrier, Neil Daly who accepted to take on our case. Neil was able to perform precise trimming corrections and apply therapeutic shoes. Dr. Myers provided the farrier prescription by interpreting a series of balanced radiographs while his team took digital videos and photo series of the hooves and evaluated the horse in motion. We also addressed her nutrition and turnout. This holistic approach saved my mare that had been suffering for years with excruciating pain and pathology that if left unchecked would cause irreversible damage and inevitable death.

I would like to thank Neil and the whole team for their relentless perseverance and dedication. Last week my Veterinarian came out and assessed my mare’s movement and was very impressed with her level of soundness and flexibility. When I look at her now playful attitude, cheerfulness and positive work ethic, I see a miraculous transformation.

— Dorothea Larsen and Pyper (North Gower, Ontario, Canada)

Raymon Wargaki

It has been well over 3 years since I pulled out of the vet's facility and couldn't see the road through my tears. I pulled into a rest area hoping to collect myself and wrap my head around this nightmare. I called my husband, "He's done," I said. I explained what Doc had told me, "We should be able to maintain him for this season, if we're lucky, maybe two." Doc injected his knees, hocks and navicular bones, seemed like every joint the poor horse had, he got poked. "He's navicular, which we know, but, he's got a hard job and he is 15. Time has taken its toll, Dawn." I was devastated.

I bought Lil Ronnies Brother about 3 years before that trip to Docs. We were well on our way to making a name for ourselves in the barrel-racing world. Brother had many championships under his belt, and I had big dreams for this horse. Besides being a great athlete, he was a total gentleman, the complete package. They say we’ll have "the one" out there somewhere for us. Well, I finally had him.

From the time I bought Brother, his feet were our biggest problem. He would twist out of shoes constantly, which in turn required more holes in his non-existent hoof wall. Along with the fact he was flat footed and abscessed constantly, his front right was also crooked below the knee and he landed on his outside. I spent more time doctoring abscesses than I did riding. After going through some highly recommended farriers, my husband suggested I call Ray. He has been a good friend of my husband’s family for years. I was clinging to hope that someone could help this horse. I knew something just wasn't right, but I couldn't pin point it, and it was getting worse. Brother started bulking when we were entering the alley, he would ring his tail while we were running and just wasn't firing like he should. He was hurting, but no one could pin point the source. I had several different vets, chiropractors, dentists and nutritional advisors that I had collaborated with. No one could narrow the problem down. After Ray came on board, he did make many improvements. We weren't loosing shoes and the abscesses began to decrease in numbers. But, we were still stumped. That is what led me to that particular vet I mentioned. He came highly recommended and specialized in performance horses.

So, a few months after our prognosis, Ray told me he was going to meet with Martin and he was going to tell him about Brother and see what he thought. After spending some time with Martin, Ray came back to the barn and was truly excited. He thought he might be able to help Brother. As I listened to him explaining this method of hoof reconstruction, I wanted to be excited, but I kept thinking, "Maybe two seasons, he's done." Ray said that I would have to commit to this. Every 4 weeks we were to reset. I was skeptical, but I thought what else did I have to loose?

I started to see a difference immediately. After Ray would trim one foot, Brother would plant it square under him. No more pointing, no more tugging on Ray when he had to stand on 3 legs. After we finished the first trim, we turned Brother out in the indoor and he wouldn't leave Ray's side! I was shocked; Brother only did that with me. Ray was laughing and started to walk around the arena in circles and figure eights, and Brother was right behind his every step. By the second reset I had a new horse. Brother was eager to enter the arena, trying to run out from under me at times. He had flattened his running style back out and was hunting his barrels again! No more tail ringing and he was back to stopping the clock and getting in the money.

I was happy with the results, but wasn't completely sure this was the reason for the cure. The time came when Brother was due for his next injections. We decided to wait and see how he would continue to work with out the "maintenance" shots. He just kept running harder and winning more barrel races. Brother is now 18 as of 3 weeks ago and he is out running his times from 6 years ago. This past summer he was ridden by an amateur youth. He has out run some of the best barrel horses on the east coast. Coming in third out of over 200 head at the Tri-State Classic behind the great Joe B Jammin, a multiple World Champion Barrel Horse and multiple Quarter Horse Congress Sweepstakes Champion, with second being taken by Idaho Doc's Gold (aka Mighty Mouse), multiple WPRA money winner and who is now being offered for sale at $90,000. Many of Brother's wins can be verified at www.ibra.us/shows/oh. Brother also placed 9th at the All American Quarter Horse Congress out of over 200 horses. All of these accomplishments have been achieved with no injections or invasive procedures as were done before. The only thing that has changed in Brothers training program has been the hoof reconstruction. People are in shock when I tell them that my 18 year old barrel horse doesn't so much as stock up after being stalled for a week with only shavings to cover the concrete while at Congress.

After all of this, people are still skeptical of this process. The competitor in me doesn't mind though. With Ray's help, Brother and I will continue to collect our winnings and I will continue to tell our story. I will never be able to express my appreciation enough to Ray or Martin for what they have done for Brother.

— Dawn McElhaney

I can't say enough good things about what I've seen Ray do and what he has done for my own horse. His knowledge and heart is the best. He truly puts his soul into what he does.

— Gretchen Carter

Ronald Tatum

Ronald Tatum wrote in to American Farriers Journal: "The University of North Texas has just published my book, 'Confessions of a Horseshoer.' Strongly endorsed by Baxter Black and Jim Lehrer, among others. The book is out there everywhere, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Powells and dozens of other places."

Tatum also submitted the following book review from The Oregonian:

[Excerpt] In his new memoir, "Confessions of a Horseshoer," Tatum, now 79, tells four decades' worth of stories gathered at the feet of animals who could squash him if they "hadn't been tricked into thinking that people were stronger and smarter" than they are. The book comes out May 10 on the University of North Texas Press and will be available from Amazon.com and Powell's Books.

Tatum is 5-foot-6 with thick biceps, a strong neck and cauliflower ear. The Aloha resident coached high school wrestling until he was 77, so sometimes he can't remember where his injuries came from -- the barn or the mat.

The height is just luck. Short horseshoers have an easier time getting under a horse. But Tatum has worked on the strength his whole life. Tatum's dad, a former Texas cattle rancher, started his son doing pushups "probably about the time I first opened my eyes," Tatum remembers.

"I could pound the stuffings out of all my friends by the time I was six months old," he writes in the memoir. "No one messed with me!"

The family lived in a small house on 2,000 wooded acres outside Tacoma. Tatum's room was a little cowboy bunkhouse. He never owned a horse himself, but he rode often as a boy. He worked summers as a camp counselor on a horse ranch.

The cowboy father -- whom Tatum calls Daddy throughout his book -- never encouraged the son to follow his footsteps. He wanted him to make something more of himself.

Tatum tried most of his life to impress his father. He excelled in sports, made good grades and eventually earned three master's degrees and a Ph.D. His dad was left-handed, so, even as an adult, Tatum tried to become a lefty. After stints as a Marine Corps officer and as a juvenile probation officer, Tatum still felt empty.

At the end of the workday, he writes, "I never had a sense of accomplishment or completion. I had no way of measuring the value of my time. Did I help anyone, or not? I never knew for sure."

To read the full review, click here.

Shane Togami

Shane Togami has been shoeing my horse Cappuccino, a Holstein/Hanoverian hunter/jumper show horse, pleasure horse, and pet! Cappuccino has some challenging shoeing issues, which Shane has addressed with utter success for the past 12 years! His expert care and attention to detail to Cappuccino's special needs has kept my horse sound and happy. Shane has the most pleasant attitude of anyone I have ever met. His can-do attitude and superior skills make him the "perfect" farrier in my estimation. He deserves special recognition for all that he does for so many of his equine clients!

A horse is only as good as his feet and Shane makes sure that those feet are as good as can be!!

— Nancy Bishop (Malibu, Calif.)

I purchased an 11-month-old running quarter horse back in July 1989. I named him Nickolas. I considered him my “first born” until he passed April 15^, 2011. He was anything but an easy keeper, but I knew him well and we grew up together. In the summer of 2005, my husband and I built a pasture for him on our property where he was retired early from his show career as a jumper and became a trail horse. At one point during that time he went very lame. I felt his heels were too low and that it caused him soreness. I tried to find a farrier to give him some relief.

The first farrier cost me several hundred dollars because he thought he had laminitis and suggested I get x-rays. He didn’t listen to my belief about his heels being too low. Believing a farrier knows best, I spent the money only to learn his x-rays were clean. The second farrier told me my horse was “just old.” I had a very hard time accepting these explanations and grew increasing frustrated.

I called Shane Togami and told him about Nickolas. Shane drove over 4 hours from San Ynez to Bonsall to look at Nickolas. Shane didn’t take long to tell me he too believed his low heels caused the lameness and that we needed his heels to grow. Shane put on special Scott Morrison shoes with dental impression material and set the shoe back so… within days, Nickolas was sound! It was such a relief! Shane was kind enough to send directions on how to shoe Nickolas to my farrier. My farrier maintained an open mind and shod Nickolas as Shane suggested. Nickolas grew enough heel to where he was able to be sound barefoot till the day he passed.

I cannot thank Shane enough for his kindness to travel so far out of his way to “heal” my horse and care enough to do so. Shane has such a love for horses that it goes beyond just a profession for him. He has a desire, a true love for horses that drives him to...Shane Togami is an incredible farrier. If only he lived closer!!!!

-----

I used to work for Shane and this is a story I was amazed by. This is the rescue that Shane let his wife adopt. Saved from the slaughter and severely beaten this cute little guy trusted no-one! Couldn't get near him at all. Not even for a halter or carrot, nope nothing! Shane and his wife were able to gain his trust and trim him. What an ordeal this could have been. Everytime he went to pick up the back feet he would seriously kick and the front was a rearing fest!!! Not one time did Shane ever raise his voice, yank the rope, hit or harm this horse. It was astonishing to watch. It took a few trims but now this big guy stands great for his hot shoeing!!! I have told this story to many people and farriers and they all said how they or their farrier would have "shown that horse a thing or two"!!! Nope, NOT Shane. He doesn't work like that. He is the kindles and most skilled farrier I have seen and all his clients agree. I think there are some other photos of his first trim. I will see if I can locate them. Thanks for all you are doing.

— Melanie Weniger

As a human podiatrist, I would say after 30 years I am an expert on feet i have also had horses for thirty years Shane is the best farrier I have ever met or worked with. I have a gypsy mare that is driven on city roads and she has never had a lame moment thanks to Shane. I’ve tried many farriers over the years and they just don’t truely understand gait balance and conformation shane gets it and the horses float through their paces Shane Togami is the best.

— Dr. Patricia Walters, D.P.M.

I asked for Shane's expertise in rehabbing "Chubbs" after his coffin bone surgery. "Chubbs" was a rescue and had been adopted by a great man. He somehow broke off the tip of his coffin bone and needed surgery. Shane agreed to help Dr. Van Snow of Santa Lucia Farms with the rehab and special shoeing needs in order to keep the cost down for the owner. Otherwise "Chubbs" would be euthanized. Dr. Van Snow has since passed but he did the surgery and "Chubbs" was transported to Shane's facility for rehab. This included Shane making a special hospital plate that could be easily removed for cleaning and protection.

Without Shane's kindness, the owners would not have been able to have the surgery for "Chubbs". Thank you Shane and Dr. Van Snow!

— Marlene Dodge
Valley View Rescue

Having 3 donkeys and one with laminitis had been a headache for for me for years when it came to hoof care. EXPERIMENTING WITH many FARRIERS AND being left with POORLY EXECUTED JOBS OVER AND OVER again, I HAD become desperate IN MY SEARCH FOR SOMEBODY CAPABLE.

Finally we found Shane Togami. Now we are back on track. He has gifted us with a few more years with our beloved gorgeous snow-white Andalusia Jenny. 2 years ago it looked like we had to put her down. We have seen a vast improvement in her condition. And the 2 Jacks, especially one of them, is now letting his hoofs been handled, where before he literally kicked out every Ferrier because of bad treatments (yes they are very smart!) Shane always treats every animal with utmost respect and love, a gentle hand and great knowledge. Thank you Shane! You're the Best!

— Isabel Snyder

Just like to say a few words about my awesome Farrier Shane Tagomi! He always has a positive attitude towards his clients no matter if they are horse or human. I have witnessed him rehab countless horses, even if that means bringing them home so he can give them his full attention. Not to mention the great work he has done on my paint mare, she is always feeling great after getting her feet done!

Shane Togami always puts the horse first, that is why he is the best at what he does. Thank you!

— Erica Glen
Santa Ynez, Calif.

Shane has been shoeing my Arabian show and pleasure horses for at least 20 years. He is absolutely the very best! He has kept some special horses sound for me including an Arabian jumper who had sidebone, and now my mare who has a screw place through a fractured navicular bone.

Thank you Shane for all of your continuing work with my horses! You are appreciated!

— Jennifer Diamond

The below stories are just a just a few out of the hundreds of horses Shane has helped and continues to help over his career.

-----

Shane has over 25 years of experience and currently shoes high level performance horse, including Jan Ebling and Mitt Romney's horse, "Ralfalca" Although most of his large barns are jumpers and dressage, he also shoes for some top level cutting and reigning horses trainers. As well as shoeing in the performance industry Shane has a passion for therapeutic work. He assists in 4 different counties with founder and lamanitis cases and all around challenging hoof conditions, requiring extreme skill, expertise and creativity. Although he is busy beyond belief with zero free time, he still takes on new cases when the owners call and explain he is their last hope for their beloved horse. Shane's clients have trust in his ability as well as his horsemanship and it shows as he has been shoeing for his first clients for 20+ years.

I have been around horses my entire 40-plus years and Shane Togami is the first farrier I have met with such tremendous skill and dedication to his horses and clients, coupled with kindness for the animals and a strong but gentle nature. He has been shoeing for about 25 years or so yet is always ready to and continues to further his knowledge and learn as much as he can. He's always willing to share his knowledge with other farriers or owners or whomever is interested. In the years I have worked for him I have heard from veterinarians, clients, trainers and owners that Shane was the one to call to help therapeutic cases and cases that no-one seemed to know how to help. Shane does a tremendous amount of work with founder cases and laminits, and has recently taken ownership of 2 very special horses with founder. One is a metabolic founder but not an IR horse and the other is a mechanical founder. I will briefly tell their stories and send some pics.

-----

PURSUIT — Sent down from up north, Pursuit was lame and ready to be euthanized. Shane was able to make these magnet shoes, rehab him and re-home him as a sound, happy horse! The pads were made from scratch and were made to help improve circulation. These pads have worked extremely well and certain horses are dead lame without it. "Pursuit" lives happily in northern Calif.

REMY — A 16-year-old Polish Arabian that foundered a few years ago and Shane was called in to assist in the case. The horse recovered and was doing well. Unfortunately, due to metabolic changes the horse had a few flare up's and severely rotated again. Eventually the owner could not afford care and did not see any hope for Remy and opted to euthanize. Shane had worked on this sweet, sweet horse and just felt he wasn't ready to go so he offered to take him. At that point the majority of vets suggested tenotomy or euthanasia. Shane consulted with a vet out of Texas who shared her opinions of options that would allow the horse to heal without cutting the tendon.

The vet was touched by Shane's kindness and offered her services at no cost, for as long as it takes to help Remy. Shane paid for Remy to be transported to his facility and Remy is part of the family getting daily care. He had been improving and his RF is almost normal. The LF has some bone loss but the rotation is improving. With the help of the vet, Shane has been able to help Remy without any pharmaceutic medications and Remy is able to walk all day everyday out in pasture with his horse friends.

The vet has Remy on algae, chia seed, flax seed, pro biopics, milk thistle and dandelion root. The approach of tiny adjustments to the feet without shoes weekly (but he does wear soft rides) and allowing Remy to walk and get circulation was an approach that Shane had not seen before. He researched it, spoke to people that had used this method and watched the incredible difference for himself with Remy and knew that this was the correct approach for this horse.

Remy is doing amazing and Shane says he will be part of his family forever. He will never part with him and is so happy to see Remy with his kind eye, getting around and happily mingling with all the other horses.

PERSEUS — This is a great big 12-year-old Holsteiner. He was not Shane's client but the owner and vet were scheduled to euthanize this horse and one of Shane's client's told her to wait and please talk with Shane first. She did and Shane went out on an emergency to see if there was something he could do. Poor Persi had much of his hoof wall dremeled away and had mechanically foundered. Apparently Persi had whitelline so severely that a vet cut it out and did not leave much of the hoof wall. Persi was 3 legged lame and NWB on LF. Shane made a reverse shoe of some sort and the horse was able to bear weight and walk off.

The owner did not know how to help Persi and the vet recommended euthanasia. Persi had no other issues and was in great health. Shane felt that he would like to try to help this amazingly kind animal and offered to take him. (Not that Shane needs any horses!!!) Shane paid for Persi to be transported to his facility and has been working on him with the vet in TX as well and a local vet here to take radiographs.

They shot films and Persi had barely 2mm of sole depth and the coffin bone was dangerously close to penetration. Shane made a wooden, clog type reverse shoe and cast it on! It was amazing. Persi was actually walking, weight bearing and they were able to trim and shoe the rest of him DRUG FREE! It was just spectacular. Shane has since x-rayed and re shod him and he is improving and doing great. He goes out daily with Remy and they pal around together. The vet in Tx has Persi on probiotics, flax and chia seed, vitamins, hoof supp and algae, which has taken care of the whittling and encourages hoof growth. It's just a matter of time now.

**PERSEUS AND REMY TOGETHER**

-----

Here is a little filly that ended up on Shane's front lawn! The hauler was dropping off a rescue horse from the slaughter that Shane and his wife adopted and this little sweet filly was colicing on the trailer and had to stay at Shane's house. She got off the tuck and fell on the lawn.

What luck this little filly has to end up at Shane's house with her poor little hooves and her legs/joints having so much trouble. Shane trimmed her and glued on some little shoes to try to help the sever deformities that were developing from her lack of hoof care. Now she is doing fabulously. She is rideable and a loves getting on the cattle!!!

— Tracey Sullivan
California Equine Podiatry Center
(Solvang, Calif.)

Tammy Morgan

I have to say I have the absolute best barefoot trimmer in my state of Maine and her name is Tammy Morgan.

I found her when I had brought home a mare named Misty that had foundered very badly a few weeks before I got her, both of her coffin bones had sunk severely.

She lived 2 1/2 hours away, and she traveled back and forth to help Misty. She got this mare totally sound and 100% recovered. It was the most amazing and wonderful thing I have ever seen. Misty made my husband a wonderful trail and fun show mount; she was much loved.

Her knowledge of hoof anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and trimming is superior. Just about every horse I have seen here in my state have some type of hoof issue, most common is the heel that has run forward and migrated the whole hoof forward, contracted heels, and/or long toe long heal or short toe and long heel, but there are so many other issues she deals with regularly also. She has brought back hoof health for so many horses I have lost track of their numbers.

Every horse I have had has had at least the under run heals that have migrated the foot forward. She has turned every single one of them back to correct, balanced hooves. As we know, unbalanced feet or other hoof issues can cause many other problems in the horse’s body as it tries to compensate for its feet issues. So, not only does she get their feet corrected what she does in many cases also helps other issues horses are going through.

She is kind and patient with the horses and with the owners. She is happy to show and explain what is going on with the hoof and what and why she is doing what she is doing to try and correct it. She will give you tips on what you can do to help your horse as she works to get them correct.

I don’t know what I will do when it is time for her to retire. I keep telling her, “You can never retire, just forget about it.” Maybe someday she can take on an apprentice and share her incredible knowledge of the equine foot.

Her business is called Dun Right Farrier Service.

— Estelle Werly

Tom Schwab

Tom started pulling shoes at age fourteen for a well known three-generation Horseshoeing family in CT. Tom's first client was his own mother Ree Schwab who rode horses, ran a boarding facility that included disciplines: English, Western, Barrel Racing, Reining and even Cutting with their own cattle. Everyone was welcome at Ree's stable and would learn to lend a hand. It provided a wonderful sense of community with a safe, wholesome place for neighborhood kids and adults. At age 72! Ree is still riding and WINNING on cutting horses, now at her ranch in FLA.

Tom continues to further his shoeing and blacksmithing education. After moving to Virginia, he became an AFA Certified Farrier and is currently working on his Journeyman Certification. He enjoys attending seminars, clinics, and spending time with other farriers. He also spends his spare time working in a shop Blacksmithing and makes absolutely beautiful household and barn items.

Tom has been complimented many times about his kind way with horses. Not surprising growing up with Ree, he was a naturally gifted rider with quiet hands. Ree's clients would ask Tom to ride the ornery or nervous horses and they would settle down quickly to work. Tom turns bright red when I tell folks his first "ride" at four years old was a miniature Sicilian Donkey named "Duffle"! But hotter, faster horses and a successful career shoeing horses followed with his talents and childhood background.

Tom and I own a small farm in Virginia where they have dogs, a huge organic garden, chickens and a small herd of alpacas raised for fiber.

— Amanda Schwab

W.J. Tomlinson III

W.J. Tomlinson III is an A.F.A. Certified Journeyman Farrier who has worked as a farrier for over 20 years. "J." has spent many years learning from Eddie Watson in the Charlottesville area when Eddie was available. They formed a close relationship and Eddie was instrumental in J.'s passion for horseshoeing and understanding corrective shoeing, blacksmithing and horsemanship.

During J.'s career, he got an idea to create a tool for horse owners. He saw a need in the industry for horse owners to feel comfortable with using a rasp in between trims or when their horses lost a shoe, and so he became an inventor when he created RidersRasp (http://www.ridersrasp.com/). J. no longer leaves an old rusty rasp for his clients "just in case they lose a shoe." Instead, he hands them a RidersRasp! J. continues to shoe horses in the Charlottesville, Va., and Lexington, Va., areas, where he shoes sport horses including eventors, dressage and hunter jumpers. I am a horse owner, and J. Tomlinson is my farrier and husband.

— Heather Tomlinson

J. is probably the best farrier I have ever had He is very professional, patient with the horses and knowledgeable. He is not a know-it-all, which can be a problem with some, and he is willing to go to clinics to expand his knowledge. I have never in 6 or 7 years had a bad nail or bad shoeing job. Also, if a horse loses a shoe,he is willing to drive an hour — even on weekends — to tack it on. I would say he is the BEST!!

— Carol Bauer (Charlottesville, Va.)

Warren Williams

Warren has done an unparalleled job in keeping my horses sound and healthy. I have had competition horses (hunter-jumper and dressage) most of my life and have had much experience with farriers (40-plus years). Warren is far and away the best farrier I have ever had. He is a true professional: reliable, prompt, timely, efficient, courteous, extremely knowledgeable and very, very patient with horses and owners. He sets a high bar for himself and even with all of his years of experience; he continues to seek continuing education. It is obvious all round that he loves his work and receives much gratification from helping horses be the best they can be. Just today, he trimmed a 3-month-old filly for me (her second trimming). It was completely non-traumatic for her because he is so skilled at handling and reading horses. In addition, I have a Dutch Warmblood 4th level mare, Haflingers and a miniature horse…all with very different types of feet and specific needs, but all doing very well from a shoeing perspective.

I found Warren via a trainer/friend to whom I had gifted a difficult, but very talented German-bred Hanoverian. This horse was not easy to handle and was challenging from a shoeing perspective. After Warren began shoeing him, his God-given gaits returned (missing for several years due to his tricky feet and less than optimal shoeing). After seeing his improvement, I knew Warren was the right farrier for my horses and me.

Bottom line, I am grateful to have found Warren.

— Beth Sorensen (Argyle, Texas)

I would like to honor him for all his hard work, his vast knowledge, his patience and understanding of the mechanics of the equine hoof. He has a great passion for our equine family and stays committed to keeping them balanced and sound with the work he does. He does not just stop with the knowledge he has gained over the years. This man continues to grow in his knowledge of the equine and the ever-changing mechanics to the hooves through continuing education through clinics, seminars, etc. He keeps up with the ever-improving technology with managing horses with hoof problems. He is a very open minded individual something that you do not find in the majority of farriers today. Whether it is just through a basic trim to the most difficult and complicated situations of getting a horse sound and keeping it that way. I have two gaited horses that I almost lost had it not been for the knowledge, patience and attentiveness of my farrier Warren Williams. The following is my story.

We have a 13-year-old Spotted Saddle Horse Mare that foundered in 2001. She was brought back sound without further episodes from the initial founder. Thanksgiving 2010 my beautiful mare suffered a severe laminitis attack. She under went a battery of blood test, hormone essays, radiographs and venography that resulted in her being diagnosed as Insulin Resistant in December 2010. Through the testing it revealed she had suffered significant rotation in both front feet. There is rotation in all four hooves. During this time I utilized several vets and farriers none of whom were able to get this mare comfortable again and out of pain.

The lengthy time she spent on pain and anti-inflammatory medications produced stomach ulcers. I was horrified watching our mare lay in her stall day in and day out praying that the next day would be the day she would stand again. Heartbreakingly, that day turned into weeks then months with minuscule improvement. I steadfastly sat with her while she lay in her stall breathing heavy and moaning. Our hearts were breaking. One of the most unnerving statements made was from a vet who said, "She is a chronic laminitis case. She is never going to get well. She will have good days and bad. When her bed sores get to be the size of a dinner plate then it is time to put her down if the heat this summer doesn't get her first.” Our calls for help stopped being returned. The silence spoke volumes. Our frustration with each passing day continued to grow.

We utilized the services of several local farriers, which only maintained her hooves with them getting no worse but no better. I was assured by one farrier that her soreness came from the fact that she is older now than when she initially foundered. Just as it takes us longer to heal as we age it is the same with the horse he told me. I continued to watch as our mare lay in her stall moaning and hardly able to walk and stand. Her suffering became unbearable for us. We had been able for months to leave her stall door wide open. Hoping that she might feel good enough to go outside. She would never leave her stall she was in that much pain. We prayed so hard for someone to help us get this mare comfortable again. She had been through so very much. In desperation, I Googled farriers in North Texas specializing in laminitis. It was then that I found North Texas Farrier Service. I knew nothing about this farrier service other than we were desperate for help. I sent a email to them outlining our situation. Within a matter of hours I received an answer back from Warren Williams.

He asked me what our current farrier was doing and what had been done. He requested the radiographs, venography and pictures of what appliance she had on at that time to be emailed to him. He seemed to be truly concerned, interested and willing to help us. He reviewed the information and told me that the pain was coming from sole pressure. He told me that she needed frog support and immediate sole pressure relief. Within days Warren Williams was at my barn with a plan of action to help my mare. Warren is very kind, knowledgeable and patient with this mare. He paid attention to her pain level allowing her breaks to rest as he worked on her. When Warren left the mare was very sore but felt good enough to stand up longer than she had been in quite sometime.

Warren continued to call me checking on her progress for the next month or so. Within a week she was returning to her old self. The spark returned back in her eyes. The tight-drawn appearance that had been in her face for so long started to soften. She stood taller and her personality returned. She felt good and wanted to go out into the pasture with her buddies. After a couple of weeks she was gaiting to me through the pasture as I called to her. To see this mare comfortable enough to gait again simply took my breath away. Warren Williams gave our mare back to us. He was able to do in a day what many professionals had not been able to do for her in almost a year. Our mare continues to progress every day and we could not be happier. She is now off all her pain and anti-inflammatory medications. It has been a little over a year now and she is sound again without pain. Just to watch this mare turn and gait through the pasture at will now is an awesome feeling especially considering where we were a little over a year ago now.

If it were not for Warren Williams, North Texas Farrier Service, we would have lost this mare. He has been an answer to many prayers for us. We will never be able to thank him enough for all that he has done for her!

I also have a young Tennessee Walker gelding that was born with a club foot. He just turned three this past spring. I followed all the vets advice, had surgery done to cut the check ligament. Followed numerous farriers as they worked on him trying to get him to grow a hoof to no avail. This young horse spent most of his young life in a great deal of pain. From surgery to a great deal of soul pressure, which had rendered him lame. My vet told me that he had no idea if this young horse would ever be sound enough to ride or would ever live a life without pain in that hoof. Several farriers applied various appliances, which would stay on for about 48 hours before coming back off. There was no hoof wall to attach anything to.

When Warren came to the barn for our foundered mare he also came for this young club footed horse as well. He advised me that this young horse was allowed to walk on his sole and again sole pressure was what was keeping him lame. After working on him a little over a year ago he has not taken another lame step. He is out of pain. He was even sent out to training this spring and did fantastic and his hoof was never an issue thorough out the training process. He has been able to grow that hoof that we so desperately wanted him to do with the assistance of Warren Williams. You can barely tell the difference in the clubfoot and his normal hoof now. We owe his progress and soundness again to Warren Williams.

Our farrier day is no longer the dreaded stress filled packed day that it once was. My horses are not nervous and upset when Warren is at the barn as they have been in the past. The mood in the barn is now a calm relaxed one. When your horse shows no fear and gives its trust to someone you know in your heart that person is a true horseman, a good person. That horseman is our new farrier! We tell every horse person we know or come across that Warren Williams, North Texas Farrier Service, is by far the best farrier service that Texas has to offer. His compassion, ability, hard work, knowledge and the care and concern he gives not only to the equine but to educate the owners as well regarding hoof care and maintenance.

It is from my experience working with Warren Williams/North Texas Farrier Service for a little over a year now that you would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated knowledgeable farrier. He never puts you off nor is he ever to busy to answer a question. If you loose a shoe it doesn't take an act of congress to get him to come put it back on either! That is an extra bonus!

— Debbie Crosthwait (Royse City, Texas)

Wayne Mizelle

My farrier makes a difference in the lives of the horses of United States Equine Rescue League. I am the Regional Director for USERL in NENC and SEVA, and Wayne donates all of his services to help any horse in need. There are plenty of farriers who occasionally donate their time and expertise, especially in high profile neglect cases, but Wayne is consistent in his effort to help USERL. He trims, shoes, corrects and aids every single horse that comes into our rehabilitation program. Most of the time this care continues when the horses leave rehab and enter private foster homes. Wayne also volunteers to assist USERL is other ways when he can, hauling hay or loading horses. Currently Wayne donates services for 25 rescued horses awaiting permanent homes on a regular basis. I know I can call him at any time to add another if needed.

— Amy Woodard, Regional Director
USERL-NENC
USERL-VATW

Wayne with wife Christy