Prepare yourself for a full email of hoof notes. I’ve included lots of pictures, stories, and fun facts for your enjoyment.
Firstly, why do they call ’em Farriers?  Along with 60% of all the other English words, Farrier comes from a French word! Ferrier means Blacksmith. The Latin root, ferrum, means iron. Historically, a Farrier would not only make horse shoes, but all sorts of pre-industrial revolution tools. (compliments to Wikipedia).

About a third of our time in school is spent at the anvil. Since each hoof needs a well-fitting shoe, the farrier will adjust a front shoe or a hind shoe ordered from the manufacturer. A front shoe is rounder, and wider at the middle. A hind shoe is narrower at the toe and wider at the lower 1/3. Generally. See if you can tell which is which in the photo below!

But then we make adjustments for laminitic hoofs, clubbed hoofs, compromised hoof walls, sensitive souls, etc, etc.  If only we customize women’s jeans like this!

Here are a few pictures of me forging a shoe from scratch:

Measure the stock, mark the center and the toe quarters, then heat thoroughly.

Don’t touch the steel with your hands. Use fire tongs.  And safety goggles.

Return to anvil and create the toe bend.

Mark lines for symmetrical nail holes.

Heat again. Turn branch. Mark nail holes.

Proudly show off finished product to instructor. Keep shoe forever.

 Changing topics…

This week’s field trip was to a pony barn.  I mean, a miniature horse barn. What’s the difference? Ponies have stocky bodies and are rotund.  They can come in various sizes. A mini horse has all the proportions of a regular sized horse, but they’re smaller (wouldn’t measure up to roller coaster height standards at Walt Disney World).  These particular mini horses, at the mini horse barn, were getting ready to travel to Oklahoma for a show. So we trimmed their mini hoofs.

I’ve heard that some farriers don’t like working on mini hoofs. Practically speaking, it’s awkward to work so close to the ground, especially for the taller farriers. You’re also more like to rasp your hand, since you hold the hoof with your left hand and run your tools (big horse tools) with the other. Personally, I like them quite a bite, and I wouldn’t mind an entire clientele of minis. After all, I’m not that all.

Today, a dog came into the barn: a young lab, to be exact. He was a bundle of energy and happiness. He said hi to everyone, and could not stop wagging his tail. Horses are not as affectionate as dogs. In fact, I don’t even know how to tell if a horse likes me. Perhaps it has something to do with being a prey animal: you’ve got to choose your friends carefully.

Highlights of the week:  trimming the hoofs of a Freisian. Those are my favorite kinds of horses, even though they have big feet. Also, I think I might be improving. The teacher’s aid said to me today, “Hey, you’re doing what farriers do!”

Another highlight: baby horse came in today. (They call those foals. You might have to practice pronouncing it as “fole” and not “foul.”) My classmate worked on getting this little guy used to trims / pedicures. He danced around her for about an hour, and then fell to the ground in exhaustion. Kinda like when you take a two year old to the grocery store. I wish all horses would just lie down like this for us.

Much love from Snohomish County.

Love,

Angela