2015 National Farriers Week: Farriers Spotlight
Welcome to the 2015 National Farriers Week Farriers Spotlight!
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 17th year, National Farriers Week is an opportunity to honor your farrier.
American Farriers Journal started the "Farriers Spotlight" in 2012, which is an online-exclusive compilation dedicated to showcasing some of the many farriers in the industry. The farriers featured here were either submitted to us by members of the equine community worldwide, or were stories sent in by farriers about what they are doing in the industry. If you submitted a farrier, you can jump straight to their dedicated page by clicking on their name in the list of farrier submissions below.
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 give your own "thank you" to our beloved farriers in the comments section here or on any of the individual farrier pages that follow.
Thank you farriers, and Happy Farriers Week!
—Michelle Drewek and the American Farriers Journal team
Farrier Tributes, in alphabetical order by last name:
Olaf Batt
I first came to know Olaf Batt in the early 1980s when I had just started my medical practice. I used my gaited horses for field trialing pointer bird dogs. A friend recommended Ollie for farrier services. That's over 40 years ago and I still ride gaited horses and Ollie still shoes them.
We initially bartered, swapping my doctoring services for his shoeing services, since we were both young and broke. He put up with my rank, ruff horses until I could afford better stock and he got medical advice and sometimes pretty darn good medical care. I don't think anything but his pride was ever seriously injured by my animals.
My biggest problems arose from laminitis affecting several head of my better horses. Ollie would come at a moment’s notice, therapeutically shoeing the affected horse, weekly if needed. He did everything in his power to alleviate the animal's pain and hold my hand during the illness. Most of the time the animal recovered, sometimes not. He has walked my pastures several times to try and identify any plants or grasses that may have caused the issue.
Through the years, I saw he and Nancy develop a thriving business built on caring, trust and skill. He now takes care of my family and friends horses. We have solved many of the world's problems during his visits, and since we're both Scandinavian we laugh a lot. He enjoys his work and the horses come rain or sun, heat or sub-zero temperatures, always with a keen observation and his wry smile.
So for Ollie, my friend, the gate's always open and the horses are in their stalls waiting.
—Nick Knutson
I would like to submit my farrier, Olaf Batt, as a candidate worthy of recognition during National Farriers Week. Olaf works in central Oklahoma and has been my farrier for 26 years. In fact, he was the farrier for my very first horse, Gracie. Although Olaf originally trained to teach high school, he became a farrier due to his love and understanding of horses. This has been quite evident over the years as I've changed horses and participated in many riding disciplines. Olaf always works toward improving the horses' feet regardless of whether they need hot or cold shoeing, therapeutic shoes, pads or clips, or no shoes at all. And he goes beyond footcare to mentor his clients by providing a sounding board and a wealth of information. He is very trustworthy, and once told me to “get rid of that horse, she's going to hurt you,” and I promptly did. He is not controlled by the opinions and beliefs of others, so you can count on him to give it to you straight. I greatly appreciate his honesty.
Olaf is a certified professional farrier. He regularly attends clinics, contests and conventions to enhance his skill set. I admire his effort in maintaining a solid reputation and professionalism as he tiptoes through the equine politics in our area. Veterinarians and other professionals like to work with Olaf, and he fully supports the horse industry. It appears that all his working relationships are based on respect and mutual appreciation. Oh sure, we've had simple misunderstandings over the years, but these were easily handled through conversation. I know I can count on Olaf to handle my current horse, Wheatie, with great care. I feel very fortunate to have had Olaf advising me all these years.
—Janice Miller
I would like to recognize Olaf Batt as an amazing farrier! He took me on as a client 15 years ago because he was concerned about one of my horses. I am his only customer in Muskogee, Okla., and am an hour away from everyone else he serves. His compassion for the horses is unparalleled. I have dressage horses that sometimes need special work. He works well with the equine vets and they respect him!
—Jan Cibula
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Garth Bodkin
40 years ago this month I got my first horse, a Connemara hunter retired by "early Navicular disease" and kindly donated to the 4-H. With the horse came her farrier, Garth Bodkin, one of the early "corrective farriers" and inventor of the Garth Rack many use to store shoes. I learned horse feet fascinated me. Garth had endless patience with my questions about what he was doing and why.
Every spring, at least once, Mayflower would jump out of her paddock and lose a silicone-filled shoe package in the mud, and Garth would have to come out ASAP to put it all back together. I was 10 or 11 years old at the time. Eventually, Garth gave me an old rasp and taught me how to pull off a shoe and clean up the foot so he would have something left to nail to.
Many years and states later, a horse in our barn who was difficult to trim and shoe suffered a broken hock and torn proximal suspensory ligament. I started trimming with the encouragement and guidance of our then vet and farrier (seeing as I had the time to deal with a cantankerous three-and-a-half-legged layup and they did not), eventually learned to nail and finally came full circle.
Garth is a great asset to the community and I have never forgotten his kindness, nor his instruction!
—CJ Stumpf
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Chris Bouchikas (Sierra Vista, Ariz.)
Chris Bouchikas is one of the most energetic and progressive farriers I know. He is talented in many ways, and with a passion for helping horses and educating owners he brings a breath of fresh air to the farrier industry. I’m proud to call him my friend.
—Tyler Basinger, Performance Horseshoeing (Benson, Ariz.)
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Lisa Buckley
Lisa Buckley is one of the most amazing ladies I've been blessed to meet. She's a full-time farrier from the Cheyenne, Wy., area. As of now, I'm in the process of learning this wonderful trade and will hopefully take her spot when she feels she's had enough. I've been apprenticing her for about a year and half, and I feel so lucky to learn the trade from — in my opinion — only the best. She's taught me everything from the trade to life lessons. Her enthusiastic attitude towards this trade is what really caught my attention. She can turn a horse that’s in pain back to the loving amazing animal it once was.
This is a tough business where the fittest survive, and she's survived for a long time. So I want to get her name out there for this tribute and thank her for all she's done for me. And this is an inside joke we have, "I'm not a draft horse farrier!" lol Thank you Lisa, for the amazing lessons, memories, and for keeping my attention and explaining the things I may not understand in a way I do! God bless you!
—Tyler Espedido
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Esco Buff (Webster, N.Y.)
My heart, horse and love of my life is a Clydesdale named Rocky. Last year he was found to have Canker in all four hooves. It was a heartbreaking diagnosis, and one that no one had any idea on. Even when I searched the Internet, there was not too much information and a great deal of it made no sense. We ended up taking Rocky to one of the top veterinarian schools for treatment. We were told that three hooves had only a small spot of canker in them and the right front was the worst. The farrier there trimmed and cleaned all four hooves. He told us to keep him clean and soak his hooves. He said that he had cut away all the cankerous tissue, however by the very next day it was back in the right front. We have tried every product on the market and every so-called treatment. The right front continued to be a problem, but vets and farriers told us he was clear of the canker in the rest of the three hooves. Call it a “mother’s instinct,” but something kept telling me that Rocky was far from being cured of the canker.
I continued my daily research on the topic and was just about to give up when I came across farrier Esco Buff. I had followed him on Facebook and knew he was a very knowledgeable farrier who really invested his life to this type of work. I reached out to him, thinking maybe at the very least I would get an email with some possible guidance. Instead Esco asked me to call him right away and he spent close to an hour providing me with tons of information on canker. He was the first and only person that made any sense in the matter. He also agreed to take a look at Rocky.
Esco saved Rocky. My instinct was right; the canker was still in all four hooves and there was so much left behind from his so-called treatment at the well-known veterinarian hospital. Esco did a level 10 of care and the hospital, if lucky, did a 1. The care he received from Esco was amazing and I finally felt some hope.
Esco drove out to our farm a few weeks later to check Rocky and was positive in regard to his future. While he was there we had two other horses with some severe hoof issues. Another Clydesdale with an avulsion that several other farriers could not fix and a mare that the vet just told us had founder. Esco agreed to work on them as well. The other Clydesdale had been laid up with his issues for years. In one day Esco made his hooves look like a million dollars. I was blown away on the quality of the work and the fact Esco fixed this horse in one treatment when several other farriers could not do it in many attempts.
The mare that had foundered was barely able to walk. It was Esco and not our vet that told us what was going on with her. He again provided me with an abundance of information and put us going in the right direction. The mare has Equine Metabolic Syndrome, which has been a cause of her long-term issues. This had gone on for years without diagnosis and in turn had caused her to be a “sinker with rotation” in both fronts. Esco is the one who told us how to properly feed and care for her. He took the X-rays at that first visit with her and by the time he came back the mare was a 100% better. She was walking and running and was happy. This mare had been one of the meanest horses but after her pain was relieved she has been the happiest mare going. Esco took a second set of X-rays and the differences were astounding.
Not only is Esco a very skilled farrier, but also has so much knowledge in regard to the general health of a horse. His work is the best I have ever seen and he saved not just one of our horses but three. I firmly believe Esco is a farrier that should be recognized for his incredible work, skill and dedication as a farrier, as well as a true horseman.
—Michelle Michalek (East Aurora, N.Y.)
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Aaron Carraway, Carraway’s Horseshoeing (Camden, S.C.)
As a committed horse owner, I am pleased to submit my farrier, Aaron Carraway, for recognition as an outstanding professional.
In July 2014, I adopted a 7-year-old OTTB as my forever horse. I began riding again after a 40-year break and had many things to learn/relearn. I was just a teenager when I rode out of hunter/jumper show barns in the northeast before eventually moving south in retirement and setting out on my grand second-time-around adventure as an adult fully responsible for the well-being of an equine partner. My horse, "PG," spent most of her life in pasture after racing only three times and retiring uninjured. She simply had not found her special person before I began a serious quest for the right horse last year.
She is a beautiful mare, but can be opinionated. (I was told she could even seem a bit intimidating in her younger years.) She also has slightly upright conformation, tends to toe-in on one front foot and is prone to shelly, brittle hooves if not cared for diligently. When she arrived at my barn, her feet had suffered from major wet/dry pasture cycles at her rehoming organization and were badly cracked. She also had a hard time keeping one of her front shoes on.
The regular barn farrier advised that her feet would always be a major challenge and suggested I return her. I did a lot of research, however, and continued doing what I could for her feet. But it became clear the barn's farrier was not as committed to her as I was, and I began looking for a farrier who was willing to take her on and ensure she has the professional care she needs.
Aaron Carraway and PG on the first visit, November 2014I interviewed several farriers by phone before asking Aaron, on a friend's recommendation, to come look at my mare. One thing I really liked about him was that he also asked me a lot of questions before agreeing to consider taking us on. He immediately found a little seedy toe in one of her front hooves, which accounted for the problem keeping her right shoe on, but also said he saw nothing seriously wrong with her and began a thoughtful approach to improving her feet.
Aaron works to keep her toes a little shorter while encouraging her hooves to widen some. He is never defensive about my asking questions (I am still learning), and has shown me little things to look for and ways I can help in between 5-week trims, including trying to slightly round off any rear hoof flares before they lead to larger splits. While Aaron has a heavy client load, he arrives on time or lets me know if he'll be delayed. He also treats PG as if she were the most expensive performance horse he has to work on, not simply a fun, low-key project horse. He always takes his time in getting everything balanced and is kind in working with her even though she can become a little impatient at times.
PG was adopted out for a few months before I found her, but was returned because the adopter thought she just didn't seem happy after she had worked for a while and that her conformation might be limiting her, even though she has never been lame. I had a similar experience with her several months after I got her, and it took a couple months to work through it, but today she is thriving and becoming a more awesome horse every day. I believe carefully balancing her on a short cycle has made a major difference in her ability to work comfortably.
I will never ask her to be a serious performance horse, but she does participate in a full range of activities daily at a lower level, from jumping and beginning dressage, to trail riding and just goofing off. If Aaron had not become her farrier, I do not believe PG and I would be having the active, grand time we enjoy today and might not be looking forward to the very full future we have planned. The saying "no hoof, no horse" is too black and white based on what Aaron has done for my horse; maybe it's not as pithy, but I'll go with "hooves not optimized, horse not optimized."
—Kalli Norton (Little Rock, S.C.)
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Keith Crawford
About a year ago, our beloved pony became seriously lame. No one could figure out what had occurred or when it occurred. Our veterinarian recommended Keith Crawford to us, as we were looking for a new farrier and Keith was taking on new clients. He came and looked at the pony, trimmed his feet and told us he had a very serious fungal infection in his front feet. Keith went above and beyond the call of duty in that he met us at the vet office, came to the house, gave us several tips to make the pony more comfortable and told us we would just have to wait and be patient until the hoof grew out enough and the infection was cleared before he could put front shoes and pads on him. It has been a long, drawn-out process but on Keith’s last visit, he gave us the OK to put his shoes on and our pony is back. We are so grateful for his expertise and dedication during this horrendous period of time. Keith is a wonderful farrier and we look forward to many more years of his knowledge and friendship.
—Melanie Pletcher
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Peter Day
Our farrier is nothing if not versatile. Peter Day has been our farrier at The Royal Veterinary College in London for the last 25 years. He has dealt with academic clinicians, which — if we are perfectly honest here — are not always the easiest, has taught roughly around 6,000 students, has contributed to more than a 100 research projects and has come up with his own patent, and all this while still being an active farrier on the road, keeping horses and owners like myself happy.
—Renate Weller, Dr Med.Vet, PhD, MRCVS, FHEA, professor at The Royal Veterinary College
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Christopher Eickhoff (Spokane, Wash.)
I am writing on behalf of Christopher Eickhoff, an AFA certified farrier who has been working in the Spokane area since 1988.
Chris has been my partner since 1985 and has been providing hoof care for the multitude of horses we have rescued over the last 25 years almost always free of charge. Christopher has a large number of clients and often works 6 and sometimes 7 days a week, and still fits in caring for the horses we have rescued who often have severely neglected feet in between and after his other appointments. Not only does he provide the hoof care for almost all of the 30 to 50 horses who are cared for at our facility, he also spends almost every moment of his free time feeding, watering and maintaining the grounds where my riding school and FCERC are located.
Not only is Christopher an excellent farrier he is also a wonderful role model for all of the young people who take lessons or keep their horses here, as well as the volunteers who give of their time at FCERC. Many of my students refer to him as the hardest working person they know and consider him a father figure as they grow up here at the "barn."
Christopher is known for his patience and empathy for older horses and has many geriatric horses in his book. He is also known for his ability to work with donkeys that he loves very much.
Chris Eickhoff is not only a shining example of a good farrier he is also a shining example of a good person.
—Cris Pemberton, Executive Director for Full Circle Equine Rehabilitation Center (Colbert, Wash.)
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Jeff Engler
Jeff Engler is truly worthy of a tribute. He is the instructor and lead farrier for the Walla Walla Community College Farrier Program, but also takes private clients. My horses and I are grateful to be on that list.
I moved from the “wet side” of Washington State to the “dry side” in 2002. Needless to say, that change could be seen in the feet of my two horses. The mare always had poor feet: flat soles and dished hooves. At the suggestion of many new friends, I signed on with Jeff Engler. And then, I got romanced away by an innovative method that seemed worth trying.
The quarter horse gelding did fine with the new approach. The mare developed hoof cracks, eventually in all four feet. I persisted for a year, unable to ride her, thinking that by the time a fully new hoof had grown out, we would be better off than ever. Not the case with this mare.
After X-rays, consults with two veterinarians and lots of reading, I took a big gulp and asked Jeff Engler to take me back as a client. He graciously agreed. He had quite the challenge ahead of him, but his knowledge, experience, persistence and patience paid off. He rebalanced her feet, and used pads, clips and fillers when needed. He restored her to soundness and maintained that for years. While that gelding was a horse probably anyone could trim and shoe, the beloved mare was one that only a few could successfully attend.
Jeff Engler is a professional in every aspect of his business. He is kind to horses and riders, patient and skilled. If you believe the old saying “no foot, no horse,” then you want the best farrier you can find. Jeff Engler is that farrier around here!
—Linda Brown
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Jim Halverson
I really think Jim Halverson should have a tribute to his 40-plus years as a farrier, but mostly his huge part in advancing the industry into more modern times. His tools, bar shoes, hoof knife, and his great Ideas. He also built the best shoeing rigs.
He was a friend to all and was famous to the younger and up-and-coming farriers. He recently passed away in late February. After a day of shoeing Jim sat in his chair and had a heart attack.
He was my mentor and good friend, and he always said that this was the way he wanted to go, with hammer in hand. He will be missed by many.
—Amy Hamilton
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Jason Hegarty, JC Equine Care (Beeville, Texas)
Throughout his life, Jewells Cutting Edge (a.k.a. Cutterbug) had sensitivity issues with his front hooves. I bought him as a yearling in 2005 when he was showing as a halter horse and started showing him under saddle. Cutterbug was usually fine as long as I kept front shoes on him, but would always be sensitive right after being trimmed and shod. Over the years the sensitivity after being trimmed and shod intensified and lasted longer. I changed farriers numerous times, all stating they were experienced in corrective shoeing. I also had my vet take numerous X-rays of his hooves but they never showed any issues that would be causing the pain.
By 2011, Cutterbug was completely lame in both front feet no matter what type of corrective shoe and padding we used. In 2012 I took him to one of the top-rated vet facilities in Florida where they performed hoof tests, X-rays and ultrasounds on both front hooves and legs. Several vets conversed over the tests and could not find the source of the lameness. They all agreed that Cutterbug would most likely remain lame the rest of his life and would never be rideable again. They recommended me putting him out to pasture or make the choice to put him down, so I put him out to pasture.
Soon after, rainy season hit and he could not keep a shoe on his right front hoof. The farrier said there wasn't enough wall to put another shoe on, so he wrapped it and said he would change it in a few weeks. A couple weeks went by and Cutterbug could not put any weight on that foot. I called the vet out and he removed the wrap and found the foot full of abscesses and thrush. The vet had to remove a good portion of his foot and recommend I get him out of Florida. Jason Hegarty, owner/farrier at JC Equine Care in Beeville, Texas, agreed to work on Cutterbug if I could bring him to Texas. In the early fall of 2012, I trailered him out to Jason in Texas and Cutterbug was in a size "0" shoe at that time. Jason immediately started working on getting his hooves healthy.
Within 6 months, Jason was able to get enough healthy hoof grown out and Cutterbug was showing little to no signs of lameness. He had to remain in corrective shoeing for a while, but a little over a year went by and Jason had him in a size "2" shoe and completely sound. Now Cutterbug remains sound and is completely rideable again. Jason is the whole reason Cutterbug got a second a chance and now lives pain free. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude towards Jason for his amazing farrier work and what he did for Cutterbug.
—Diana Ouellette (Naples, Fla.)
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Mike Heinrich (Pt. Pleasant, N.J.)
We tell everyone that we have the world's greatest farrier — Mike Heinrich from Pt. Pleasant, N.J.
We first met Mike about three years ago when my parents bought me my first horse, a 7-year-old OTTB that I wanted to train as a jumper. I named him William. He was fresh off the track!
As inexperienced horse owners, my parents and I knew very little about horseshoeing, but we quickly learned that Will could not keep a shoe on for anything. Two farriers gave up and a third farrier refused to see us. Then, we found Mike.
Mike looked at Will's x-rays and came up with a plan for how he would correct Will's hooves. He seemed to know just what to do for Will, and slowly but surely Will's feet held shoes for longer and longer stretches. Mike suggested and used glue-on shoes at one point, and he recommended supplements that helped a lot during Will's period of regrowth. It was like a miracle the first time Will kept all four shoes on for six weeks! It was only because of Mike's dedication to our horse that he now is on a regular shoeing schedule. That was three years ago.
Now we have two more horses and would never consider using any farrier other than Mike. We keep all three horses at our barn at home, and Mike has come out countless times between appointments to put a shoe back on or for any emergency.
One summer Sunday night as I brought Will in for the night, I discovered one of his shoes was partially off and twisted. I tried to take it off myself but only made it worse. Will couldn't put his foot down at all and I couldn't get the shoe off! My mom couldn't get it off either, and we were really upset. Mike to the rescue! He drove an hour and a half from his home on a Sunday night at 9 p.m. to come and help us.
Mike is so dedicated and sincerely cares about his clients. He is also very knowledgeable about anatomy and is a great resource for information and advice when we have any kind of hoof issue to deal with. We trust Mike as much as our vet in this area. Mike regularly attends conferences and workshops for farriers to learn new things and to stay current.
That's why Mike Heinrich is the World's Greatest Farrier!
—Cameron Tague
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Dave Jones (Centerville, Ohio)
Dave Jones has been my farrier for, well, I don’t know, maybe 25 years. He is an artist and has always been my secret weapon when I ran our training facility.
For example, often horses would come to us with a chronic canter lead problem and many times it was his perceptive trimming that established a horse’s comfort zone so that either lead was not a problem. As the trainer, I patiently waited for a couple “resets” and reaped the benefits of client satisfaction.
Dave has always been my first go-to person on lameness issues. He was right more often than not. I marvel at how holding feet can guide him to such hidden issues. He saved us buckets of money by having me care for a minor irregularity, which I was noticing before it became a full-blown lameness.
Dave’s salty humor can make you wince, which I am sure he takes delight in. He might refer to his own demise in terms of his impact on his clients this way: “Dave died…oh darn, who is going to shoe Dobbin? We have a horse show next weekend.”
I really hate to let the cat out of the bag, but I do feel a little better confessing that my clients’ horses’ performances were “enhanced “ by the art of comfort of Dave Jones.
—Nancy Kelley, former trainer and current horse product distributor (Yellow Springs, Ohio)
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Matt Kiwala, Foothills Farrier
All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc., is thrilled to pay tribute to our farrier, Matt Kiwala of Foothills Farrier. For more than three years, Matt has tirelessly provided farrier services to our rescue horses and supported our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome at-risk horses.
The rescue environment presents a myriad of hoof conditions, and it is the forgotten sector of the horse industry. Rescues so desperately need the industry’s support. Hoof care and rehabilitation are one of the greatest needs of equine rescue organizations next to feed/nutrition and veterinary services. Rescues take in horses with an array of hoof conditions, which provide opportunities for farriers to gain experience treating the worst of cases. Matt takes on the routine, and he enjoys and is unafraid to tackle the most difficult or unusual cases exploring creative ways to accomplish a positive outcome.
Matt stays current with his skills by participating in continuing education events and is eager to share his knowledge with volunteers, adopters and anyone showing interest. He loves to include our volunteers in the process and has a unique ability to explain a situation to the experienced horse person, as well as the novice. Matt is also a great mentor for those interested in farrier work as a profession.
Rescues can also present many challenges with difficult horses, less-experienced volunteers and long, hard days. We are so grateful Matt continues to face these challenges and serve our horses.
On behalf of All About Equine and all of our rescued horses, it is my honor to thank Matt Kiwala for his dedication and ongoing efforts. By volunteering his services to our rescue, he truly makes the lives of our horses better.
—Wendy Digiorno, Founder and Executive Director at
All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc. (El Dorado Hills, Calif.)
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Mike Licata (Hampstead, N.H.) and Jordan Carelli
Mike and his colleague, Jordan, have taken excellent care of my 16-year-old Lusitano stallion for over ten years and helped to keep him sound enough to reach Grand Prix level.
Below you can find several pictures I have taken of them in action.
—Andrea Waxler, Waxler | Imagery
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Lyndel Meikle
I would like to thank Lyndel Meikle for motivating me in my Tucson practice. I recently retired after 34 years in business. Lyndel wrote for a feature called “The Scrap Pile” in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s for American Farriers Journal.
(Editor’s Note: As a historian, Lyndel did a lot of research into 1800’s newspapers and took to noting any references to blacksmiths. We featured her findings in “The Scrap Pile.” Some items were news, some were jokes and some defy description. Below is a list of her appearances in American Farriers Journal.)
- (December 1986) The Trade Of A Lifetime: Anvil Stories From The West
- (December 1987) The Scrap Pile
- (January/February 1988) The Scrap Pile: The Nailless Horseshoe
- (March/April 1988) The Scrap Pile: Rachel Yent, Farrier
- (July/August 1988) The Scrap Pile: Training The Horse For Shoeing
- (November 1988) The Scrap Pile: Hoof Picks
- (January/February 1989) The Scrap Pile: Shoeing Oxen
- (March/April 1989) The Scrap Pile: Lucky Horseshoes
- (July/August 1989) The Scrap Pile: Scraps From The Files
- (September/October 1989) The Scrap Pile: How Long Can You Last?
- (November 1989) The Scrap Pile: Horseshoe Materials
- (December 1989) The Scrap Pile: Hoof Remedies
- (January/February 1990) The Scrap Pile: Farrier Associations
- (March/April 1990) The Scrap Pile: Variations of "The Village Blacksmith"
- (July/August 1990) The Scrap Pile:Theories On The Origin Of Horseshoes
- (September/October 1990) The Scrap Pile: Strange And Elaborate Shoes Of Old
- (November 1990) The Scrap Pile: Hoof Stands Of The 1880s
- (December 1990) The Scrap Pile: Blacksmiths Show Off
- (January/February 1991) The Scrap Pile: Treating Split Hooves
- (March/April 1991) The Scrap Pile: Shoeing To Prevent "Hocking Over"
- (July/August 1991) The Scrap Pile: In Praise Of The Smith
- (September/October 1991) The Scrap Pile: Treating Contracted Feet
- (December 1991) The Scrap Pile:Blower Vs. Bellows
- (January/February 1992) The Scrap Pile: Blacksmiths Vs. Farriers
- (January/February 1992) The Scrap Pile: Long-Lost Keg Of Mule Shoes Stores A Lot Of History
- (March/April 1992) The Scrap Pile: Galoshes, Remnants And The Hitching Post
- (July/August 1992) The Scrap Pile: A Hammering Legend
- (September/October 1992) The Scrap Pile: Don't Let Those Horses Slip Or Slide
- (January/February 1993) The Scrap Pile: Ingenuity, Skill Help Blacksmiths Survive
—Louis Hirsch
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Allen Metz (Tipp City, Ohio)
I would like to nominate my friend and mentor, Allen Metz. Allen’s uncle and dad were both full-time blacksmiths. This was during the pre-WWII era. At the time, his dad was “just a blacksmith” who owned a shop in New Carlisle, Ohio. He did work on farm machinery, road horses then branched off solely to horses, particularly the American Saddlebred and Hackney ponies.
Allen would ride around with his dad, and as a small child would go to the local dairy assisting his dad applying ice caulks and frost tip nails to the horses’ shoes prior to the winter snowstorms. As a teenager he continued with his dad learning the trade. In 1960 at the age of 19, he started his own business and would help his dad on the “big days.” He continued with the American Saddlebred, Hackney ponies and Morgan horses, fixing problems no one else could do or even attempt, which was his true love and passion.
He developed what would be one of his most admirable traits as a horseshoer, which was no big profit and to leave a big barn with a successful repair of a horse’s problem and a happy owner.
During the 1970s, Allen practiced what is known today as “equine podiatry,” but in those days it was simply called “just being a farrier.” He worked on reining horses and other disciplines throughout the Quarter Horse industry, but his real passion was the American Saddlebred because of added challenges associated with the breed and showing/competition. Allen shod for a variety of people. While in the Arab world, he shod for entertainer Wayne Newton. Throughout the 1960s, 70s, 80s and early 90s, he worked large American Saddlebred shows in the Southwest Ohio area.
Allen has always been easy and humble, fondly being referred to as “Dr. Metz” by his clients who were always relieved to see him at their shows. He earned this title because of his talent for fixing what appeared to be unfixable. His saying is, “If it’s in the way, take it away. And if it’s not there, put it there.”
I was fortunate enough to meet Allen in 2008 at the Dayton Horse Show. I had been shoeing for one year, having graduated in 2007 from Shurshod Horseshoeing School under head instructor Max Williams. One year later, I acquired my CJ1 and am now an accredited professional farrier in the American Association of Professional Farriers. I enjoyed and developed a passion for corrective/pathological shoeing and performance horses. I was getting calls on the American Saddlebred, Saddleseat and Morgans. I heard Allen was the one to follow. I began riding every Wednesday with him. He taught the old way of long nailing and fixing problems in the American Saddlebred industry, including movement and gait analyzing, which moved into other breeds.
My drive was to walk into a barn and fix a problem also. Our “partnership” has continued to work well. We listen and learn and practice sound horseshoeing in our daily practice. Neither of us has been afraid to think outside the box and try something others wouldn’t try and see the success. In 2013, Allen became semi-retired. Interestingly enough, he now rides with me on a weekly basis. We continue discussing our trade. We both love what we do and look forward to our weekly ride-alongs.
Allen has made several different tools that make blacksmithing easier including hoof gauges, breakover gauges, bubble tool and many others which make the shoe more custom and individualized.
I know meeting Allen and learning from him has improved my skills. Every day we spend together we realize how much more knowledge we need to acquire to shoe this magnificent creature we all just call a “horse.”
—Mike Ratermann, owner of Double Diamond Farrier Service (New Carlisle, Ohio)
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Mark Plumlee, Mission Farrier School
For 11 years after college, I felt like I was working in a profession that wasn't right for me. After that time is when I met Mark and Karen Plumlee at Mission Farrier School. I felt Mark's passion for his school, his trade and how he could help me find passion in a "job" that I could be proud of.
Mark's school was my first "in-depth" introduction into horses, hoof care and general horsemanship. Prior to that time I hadn't worked with horses much and had certainly never picked up a foot before. After attending Mission Farrier School, I am now working full-time and making an honest living as a professional farrier thanks to the school and on-going instruction and tutelage of Mark Plumlee.
I feel incredibly fortunate to wake up every morning and do this for a living, and I am now providing for my family while shoeing horses thanks to Mark and Karen Plumlee. It is amazing to look at the feet or watch a horse walk and realize I can make an incredible difference in the horse’s soundness with proper balance parameters through trimming or shoeing. Thank you Mark and Karen Plumlee for all that you do for the farrier world.
—Clayton Cockrum
It wasn't long ago that I met Mark Plumlee at Mission Farrier School. I had just been berated by a hardcore barefoot farrier for not taking good care of my horse’s feet, saying that I was harming my horse by putting shoes on him, while at the same time another farrier was saying that shoes were my horse's only hope. So, in the midst of the confusion, I called on Mark desperately in need of an unbiased, educated viewpoint on the situation. I'd never met Mark up to that point, so after dropping he and his wife Karen an email late one Friday afternoon, I was surprised to hear back from them that very same evening. They replied that they normally don't have class on Saturdays but that this week they were, and they had an opening at 10 a.m. — could I be there by then? I breathed a deep sigh of relief and assured them I would be there.
My horse, Rhett, being both Cushings and laminitic had some serious challenges ahead of him. I was concerned that Mark might not be able to help him, but as soon as I brought Rhett out of the trailer my fears were eased. Mark and his crew were so kind and so patient with me and with Rhett. They took amazing time with him; videotaping and watching him walk and trot both with shoes on and barefoot. As I spent the whole day with Mark, Karen and the students at Mission Farrier School, it became so very clear to me that there was something special here.
They asked lots of questions of me about Rhett, and Mark asked the students lots of questions as well. They just took the time; time with Rhett, time with me, time with Mark & Karen. It was a bit like having a warm blanket put on me. I started to soak up all the amazing things I was watching, hearing and learning; the testing on the feet, the references to the various parts of the foot anatomy, the technology that is available today, especially the cutting edge technology. By the end of the day, I felt like I had received a college level course in farrier science. But in the end, for me it was about how kind and gracious they were, both to me and to Rhett. And, kindness and grace were what I needed so much at that point.
As I watched, almost from afar, how the students interacted with Mark and with the horses, I could see that this was an amazing place. Mark created here a place where students could learn in a controlled environment this super challenging skillset and career, having a chance to see some amazingly difficult cases, like Rhett, and get the training that would equip them to handle those difficult cases. But, Mark didn't just create a farrier school; he created an environment of patience, grace, kindness and integrity. He created a place that felt somehow set apart from the rest of the world; a place that was safe for learning, safe for helping and safe for recuperating. He created a place where owners can take a deep breath and know their horses are being cared for to the best that the industry has available, where students can be patiently overseen, where it’s okay to do your best — even if it means making mistakes — and knowing that there is someone to come alongside and help you fix those mistakes and do better next time. Mark created this environment, but in truth I believe it comes out of the deepest part of who he is, such that he cannot help but bring forth those qualities in his every day life and as a part of every interaction that he has with the people he comes in contact with because it simply is who he is.
And, to top it off, when I happened to mention to Mark that my sister, Kris, and I have a horse rescue operation (Finally Home Horse Rescue, in Monroe, Wash.), and would he be willing to be our farrier for the 15 horses in our rescue, he was more than happy to help. Only a few days later he packed up the whole class and brought them out to our facility to give all the horses their much needed trims. They even took the time to go down the road to the pasture where four of our rescue horses are kept so they could be trimmed too — truly the meaning of a class field trip. All in all, it was just another example of Mark being willing to go out of his way to help those in need.
I know for myself that I am a better person for having met this amazing man, Mark Plumlee. He is an example to me for how to live my life, but I am also pleased to be able to call him my friend. I am blessed both to have met him and to have him be a part of my life. I know that my life is richer for having sent the email that late Friday afternoon, and personally my life has been blessed for having spent that Saturday with Mark and ever since.
—Kim Meyer
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Mark Plumlee and Kurt Vom Orde
My name is Dana Wilson and I'm a graduate of Mission Farrier School from N.C. This is a poem I have written to tribute these two great men, farriers and inspiration to so many, and saviors in the lives of so many horses. It took until now for the words to come to me in this form.
What are we doing with this horse today?
A vet-check, a pre-purchase exam you say?Not a glimmer of hope shone in her amber eye,
She appeared dead on the inside.She's three-legged lame, she's in so much pain
They buted and raced her anyway.I'm just trying to help her out,
You know how my passion for hooves have grown.We watched her go, we watched her move
Poor, sweet thing had only a head-bobbing grooveShe is unbelievably bred, she has a huge heart
It's a crying shame, laminitis, she has fallen apartX-Rays were taken, custom shoeing performed
A remarkable feat by farrier Kurt Vom OrdeI'm not here to give false hope, said Dr. Mansmann
She should be dead, but we'll do all we can.Years went by, shoeing packages, love and patience applied
Yes there were ups, even more downs made me cryBloody, bruised soles, month-long abscesses
It seemed all I could give were loving caressesThrough all this, Doc and Kurt fueled a fire
To become a farrier in me, had grown a desire"Horseshoeing is a mental and physical event," Doc said that day
Kurt he believed, Kurt he did say,
Dana step over here, Dana step this wayTheir faith in me, I will never forget
On my horse and on me, they laid their bets.I researched, I trimmed, Laura helped me as I floundered along
When Mission Farrier School found me, I knew I could not go wrongTo school I went, eight weeks on the opposite coast
I left everything I knew, intended to make the mostThere were 8 of us in that class,
Everyone of us showed their...brass"I need a Blue 42! Someone come hold this knee!"
Yes, it was there, we were taught by Mark PlumleeA journeyman farrier on an amazing course
Here what we do, is shoeing FOR the horseBalance parameters, support the coffin joint
Comfort of the horse, is the entire pointInfinite things he taught us, always ask why
The most valuable lesson? YOU CAN ALWAYS TRY.Kurt kindled the fire, Mark fanned the flame
Without the two of you, my life would not be the sameYou both make a difference, of magnitude you'll never know
I can only hope and do my best, to repay it somehow.
—Dana Wilson, farrier (Catawba, N.C.)
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Jeff Ridley
I wanted to give a shout out to farriers like Jeff Ridley who go above and beyond to educate clients on farrier techniques to improve the health and welfare of their horses. Jeff took the time when neither the owner nor veterinarian were present to make a video explaining why he was making changes to this horses shoeing and what he was attempting to correct. I've never seen a farrier take that much time out of their busy day. This just shows how much Jeff cares! Kudos to you Jeff!
—Cindi LaCroix, DVM
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Aulakh Sahib Parminder Singh (Jalandhar, Punjab, India)
Aulakh Sahib Parminder Singh was a farmer until 2013. His interest in horses and his curiosity for hoof care led him on to train as a farrier, and he signed up for the first module of FAF-Farriery Institute Dundlod (FAF-FID), India’s very first Farriery Institute established by the Flying Anvil Foundation (FAF) in March 2013.
Compared to other trainees who were already farriers, his year of training wasn’t easy. But thanks to his enthusiasm, his avidity to learn and his sheer hard work, he was successful in the final exam and was awarded his certificate as a qualified farrier.
Since then, he has been working as a farrier in his country, in addition to which he has become the official interpreter at the Institute (some students don't speak English and Sahib translates in Hindi and Punjabit for them) and is FAF’s coordinator for India.
As he says, “My training at FAF-FID changed my life and gave me new professional prospects.”
Indeed, you have to know that in India all professions related to the ground are reserved for the low castes or poor people in general. Since his training, Sahib has seen the change in people’s perceptions. Now he is capable of providing explanations to horse owners and says: "Farriers are not generally treated with respect, owners hardly even bother to talk to them. The farrier just gets on with his job. I am now able to communicate with the owners about the horse disease, anatomy, gait and other problems in detail. This takes time, but in most cases, they are really interested and want me to come back to provide help for their horses. Sometimes they are worried about the ensuing cost. What I do is to invite them to watch me work, and then decide whether to pay me or not."
Sahib has clearly shown his will to learn and his skill in organizing workshops and presentations in India, so FAF decided to give him a chance to come to Europe for 3 months to pursue his professional education. A crowdfunding action was successfully organized by FAF in order to cover the costs of his travel and expenses. During his European Tour, from May to July 2015, Sahib was invited to attend the Werkman Spring Games (Farriery Congress and Contest) in the Netherlands and subsequently, to train with several qualified farriers in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany and Switzerland. As a result of this tremendous training opportunity, Sahib will progressively take on some of the teaching at the Institute.
In many ways, Sahib is a totally unique farrier who is making his mark in the industry and in his country. He is capable of taking on major challenges and is the living proof that the perception of our profession in India can be improved.
—Isabel Guerdat, Development Manager for the Fying Anvil Foundation
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Dave Saunders (Amarillo, Texas area)
Due to the unusual amount of rain that we had received in the month of May in Amarillo, Texas, our horse barn was a muddy, ungodly swamp. Storms and rain every day for almost 3 weeks. One of those rainy nights, our horse, Buster, had a mishap, which resulted in one of his front legs and one of his rear legs being trapped in between the bars in a panel fence. My wife and myself were trying to free him and I ended up with a smashed finger or two. We finally decided that we needed some help. Our farrier, Dave Saunders, is whom we ended up calling. I didn't really expect Dave to drive nearly 30 miles at midnight to help, but he surprised me. He told us that he was coming out to help. At about the same time that my wife hung up the phone, an explosion came from the barn area and Buster came walking out like nothing had happened. Needless to say, Dave didn't have to come out that night, but the point is that he was willing.
His love for the animals and his attention to detail in the craft that he does is impeccable. Never have any of our four horses ever went lame due to his work. His dedication and work ethic is simply amazing. He does not sacrifice his body in the work he does for money, he does it simply because he loves it. He is the only farrier that my wife and I will use. Of course, I have to say that because over time he went from being “just our horseshoer,” to being a very good friend who we trust.
—Danny and DeeDee Stewart (Amarillo, Texas)
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Scott Smith
This is the story of Brumby, a medium cob/welsh pony who was rescued by a kind, wonderful woman from a kill pen in Eugene, Oregon, and taken to Equine Outreach Rescue Incorporated in Bend, Oregon. When Brumby arrived she could hardly walk because she had foundered on all four feet. While there for about one year, she received veterinary care and farrier trims.
Our only child, Kate, and son-in-law had moved to Bend almost 20 years ago, and when it came time for my husband to retire we decided to move to Bend to be closer to them. (Yes, they wanted us there — even the son-in-law!) Kate had been volunteering at Equine Outreach Rescue for a year or so, and I happily went along with her to visit the horses. The minute I locked eyes on Brumby I knew she had to be mine. We spent a few months building fences, buying water/feed buckets, enclosing an overhang to create a cozy stall, etc., at Kate's farm. We adopted Brumby and she came home on July 31, 2014.
We had no real experience with farriers in the area, so the first few we tried didn't work out very well. Brumby was still very lame, and it was breaking my heart. Then our trusted vet, Dr. Paul Edmunds of Cinder Rock Vet Clinic in Redmond, Oregon, suggested we call Scott Smith, a local farrier from Bend whom he trusted very highly.
Scott arrived and did a lot of trimming on that first visit, lowering Brumby's heels. We saw immediate improvement, and the X-rays Dr. Edmunds took a month afterwards showed dramatic changes in the way her bones were more upright. Brumby was feeling better day-by-day. Scott next glued heart-bar shoes on Brumby's hooves, resulting in even more improvement. Several trimmings later, Scott removed the shoes to allow her to go barefoot.
Brumby can now walk, at a decent pace, without bobbing her head and not wanting to stop every 20 feet because she is hurting. It is truly a miracle what Scott has done for her. Just three months before, my daughter and I had had a discussion about putting her down because she seemed to be in so much pain. Scott literally saved my pony!
I wanted a horse badly when I was young, but my parents wouldn't hear of it. So, at the age of 67, I fell in love with a lovely pony, adopted her and will hopefully have her for a very long time. And with Scott's help and expertise, I think I will!
—Judy Churchfield (Bend, Ore.)
The following two videos are brief clips of Brumby's state before and after Scott's intervention.
Brumby Before Scott's Intervention
Brumby After Scott's Intervention
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Chet Strain (Lufkin, Texas)
Chet was referred to us 3 years ago and has been a genuine blessing. We have 14 mares and stallions. Chet shows up on time, does an excellent job on those hooves and is extremely patient with them all. And, he does it all in record time. We were blessed we found him.
—Jeanie Stewart
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Jeff Swanson (Cedar Hill, Tenn.)
This mare is a very special case, and the farrier we would like to honor has literally saved her life.
Diamond was a rescue horse from Missouri in 2007 and shipped to Wisconsin by her adopter, Cheryl Sommers, to my barn. She was taken to UW-Madison and had surgery to remove necrotic cartilage. We had many issues with a damaged coronary band. The crack would not close, infection set in and there was a separation of the back quarter of the foot from the front. Many farriers have tried and given up on her, but Jeff Swanson has worked with the veterinarians with mutual respect and actually performed the resection of the hoof wall at the clinic the last time the hoof was infected.
He comes on a moment’s notice just to work on her, be it a trim or reset. This foot grows at a different pace in sections and he has hand made shoes to keep her comfortable due to the ever-changing shape and structure of this foot. This mare is pasture sound, fat and happy. She is not in chronic pain and has a great quality of life, just a mutant foot.
—Sue Thronson (Cedar Hill, Tenn.)
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Mitch Taylor, Kentucky Horseshoeing School
Here are a few video tributes for the Kentucky Horseshoeing School.
—Emelie Hope
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Chad Tuttle (Elbert, Colo.)
Chad is the president of the RMFA and also loves to ride! He is a member of the EPRHA and NRHA. He is extremely passionate about his work and truly works hard to do what is best for each and every horse in every discipline. He is kind, compassionate and a wonderful provider for our family and has some of the best clients around. He finished horseshoeing school in 1994 and we never realized that being a farrier would be such a rewarding career.
—Trista, Iley and Landri Tuttle
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Allan Voeller
We recently took in five neglect cases at our rescue. We knew immediately that we had to call our miracle worker farrier, Allan Voeller. He came out to the rescue and went to town on getting them comfortable. I can’t tell you the number of responses we got about the work he does on these severe cases. Allan not only makes a difference in the equine community but he is truly passionate about what he does. He brought a man who is trying to learn the ropes of being a farrier and used this case to show him many different scenarios. Allan not only helps horses, but he also shares his knowledge with others so there will never be a horse left needing attention. That is true generosity.
—Alison Smith, Triple H Miniature Horse Rescue (Mandan, N.D.)
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Michael Waldorf
Michael Waldorf has been donating his services to RideAble since 1998. Michael does a great job of caring for our entire herd (10 horses, a mini donkey, and our sheep and goats if needed).
He has used his expertise to correct issues in new horses that have come to the program and been willing to teach those humans interested in learning more about proper hoof care. All of this has been done every 6-8 weeks for 17 years without charge. Without Michael, his skills, generosity and kindness, RideAble would not be able to provide horsemanship lessons for those living with special needs in our community.
—Monica Liles, Program Director at RideAble
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John Watkins
I saw a man shoeing a horse in 1977 when I was 19 years old and thought it was the coolest thing. I was working for the city of Raleigh, N.C., Parks & Recreation during the week and got a job at Meredith College feeding horses and cleaning stalls on the weekend to save money to go to horseshoeing school. I enrolled in The North Carolina School of Horseshoeing owned and operated by Hall Of Fame farrier Donald Jones.The year was 1978 and after completing school I went to work with another great farrier, Raymond Wall.
We worked on all kinds of horses, from Big Lick Walking Horses to Hunter Ponies and everything in between. I was having a blast and learning so much. I helped Raymond 2-4 days a week while I tried to build my own client list. I was now shoeing some horses at Meredith College where I met my future wife in November 1979; she needed a farrier and I needed work. We were married in December 1980 and she is still my favorite client.
I continued to practice my craft and try to improve my knowledge and skill while making a living. I got the opportunity to be the clinical farrier for an outstanding vet who really taught me how the biomechanics work on a horse. My practice was growing with nicer horses to shoe. I was hired by George Wallace, a hunter/jumper trainer and judge, to shoe at Triangle Farms in Raleigh, N.C., owned by Joan and Glenn Petty. This is where I was blessed with the best shoeing partner I could ever have.
Nipper was born on March 31, 1996, and started riding with me when she was 6 weeks and 2 days old. She was a Jack Russell that became my public relations manager for the next 17 1/2 years. We lost Nipper in November 2013 and think of her often. Through the years, my business has gone through some changes. I shoe a lot of Arabs, which I truly enjoy (my wife has shown Arabs since before we met). I am really enjoying shoeing some really nice Friesians and Gypsy Vanners. I am very lucky that I have been shoeing for the same people for years and plan on doing so as long as they will have me. I do love what I do and if that ever changes I guess I will have to get a real job.
Be sure to see the photo essay that the talented Lindsay of Life Exposed did for me. It includes pictures of me at work, as well as the late Nipper. A few of the photos can be seen below.
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Val Wilkinson (Clayton, N.M.)
My dad started shoeing horses shortly out of high school when he went to work for the UU bar ranch in Cimarron, N.M. He was given a string of horses to ride and was told he was responsible for their shoeing as well, and one of the hands would show him how. When it came time to shoe the horses the foreman told him “you level the foot and turn the nail this way, I be at the cabin fix’n dinner when you’re done.” That was his instruction on horseshoeing.
I started when I was 14 years old under his tutelage, paid for college and still am paying for vet school by shoeing horses at 50 years old.
He is now 80-years-old and still shoeing most days, weather permitting, from one to five or more per day. He still takes on an occasional “the last guy had to… “ to get it done or could get it done at all, but mostly tries to avoid them nowadays.
—Dean Wilkinson, DVM (Socorro, N.M.)
