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Fancy Footwork


Fancy Footwork
(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

F is for Farrier.

My farrier is fabulous. (No, I’m not sharing his name or number. Wouldn’t want him overloaded with so many clients that he couldn’t show up for tossed shoe emergencies!)

A truly skilled blacksmith is a horse owner’s dream. My farrier, for example, has corrected chipping feet, balancing issues and even temporary lameness by skilled trimming and shoeing. He has helped me to train my foals to stand for hoof picking and trims.

Having plied his trade at some of the top racetracks in Kentucky, he migrated northwards, where he works with Warmbloods, Arabians, Paints and more.

Just for fun, my friend Roberta (at Knot-a-Tail) created a farrier fan video. Let me warn you that this one is a little risqué, but not over-the-top (or the opposite, if you will). I think the voting deadline has passed, but this overview of several farriers at work offers a flavor of the back-breaking work these tradesmen do, regardless of weather.

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No ifs, ands or buts – a good fine farrier is a true asset.




Image:
Farrier
Photo by Alessandro Brollo
Creative Commons Licensing

Related Items:
2011 Midwest Horse Fair fires up with World Champion Blacksmiths
A Professional Farrier's Perspective: Winter Horse Hoof Health
Equestrian Terms 101 - What is a farrier?
Midwestern farrier offers tips for winter horse hoof care
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5 comments:

  1. TraceyApril 6, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    A good-looking farrier doesn't hurt either. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hart JohnsonApril 6, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    It's funny... I'm not a rider, so it hadn't really occurred to me that a person could still make a living at this... Cool, I think... and yes, not half bad on the eyes...

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    LOL! Loved this!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownApril 9, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Interesting. I'm not a horse owner but I enjoye the post. Popping in by way of the A-Z Challenge. I’m blogging at:
    http://tlmoviemuse.blogspot.com/2010/10/fresh-start.html
    http://southernillinoistourism.blogspot.com/
    http://fruittree101.blogspot.com/
    http://babysteps4fitterme.blogspot.com/
    http://foodpreservationtips.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Theresa WizaApril 10, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    When I think of how many professions exist that I never knew about as a kid, I'm kind of overwhelmed. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the photo that appears at the top of your blog. Is that your land? It's absolutely breathtaking. If you would like to read my latest post for the A-Z Challenge, just click http://myheartblogstoyou.blogspot.com/ and look at the top blog.

    ReplyDelete