Conference noted::equitation

    In the greater Maynard area plain shoeing costs $35 to $45. If
    your nag needs special shoes it can cost >$75. It depends on the
    individual as to what is done in the winter. I have pads and borium
    put on my horse around December and generally have the shoes reset
    at least once before the snow goes. That costs me around $60 each
    time.                                

    In the Charlotte area I pay $35.  I get my horse shod every 6 weeks.
    
    We are lucking down south the winters are so nice and warm that
    we don't have to worry about special winter shoes.
    
    Mary Ann

	Bob, I do my own shoeing so I can't tell you much about pricing. I
believe that John Kriz gets over $300 for a team.
	During the summer I usually use flat shoes. I've been using Anvil
Brand shoes and I'm very pleased with them. They are made of good steel and
the nail holes are punched better than any other keg shoe I've used.
	In the winter I use flat shoes spotted with Drill-Tek on the hayride
teams. On the log horses I use screw caulks built up with Drill-Tek. I like
the screw caulks because I can adjust to the conditions I find in different
woodlots. I don't like heel and toe caulks because ice builds up and the
horse can't grip. If I have to shoe with heel and toe caulks, I usually
use a leather pad and pack with Forshners hoof packing.
	Other than shoes, I get most of my supplies from Centaur Forge in
Burlington, Wis. I plan to install a set of shoeing stocks this year but
haven't decided to buy a set or build my own. Any thoughts?
	I learned to shoe from my grandfather and my father. I've worked 
with farriers from time to time but most of my farrier work is with my
own horses. I once tried hiring the work done but it didn't work out. None
of the farriers I tried would shoe the bad horses, they rarely showed up
on time for an appointment, and I wasn't always satisfied with the work.
	I spend 40 or more hours a week behind my horses so I have a good
idea how they travel. Some of the farriers wanted to start shoeing without
seeing the horse move at all. Anyway, I decided if I have to shoe the bad
ones I might as well shoe the good ones too.

	Tyke

    Hi Bob!
    
    Here in central Connecticut we average $45 for an everday regular
    shoeing and $75 and up when you start adding clips and heels and
    the like.  
    
    Where are you, and how much do you get?
    
    Ann

    
    I own a farm out in the middle of nowhere. I'd be very interested
    in learning to shoe my own horse since I do not know a local farrier
    and it would be difficult to arrange appointments. Can any of you
    do it yourself farriers suggest a way for me to learn (i.e. - take
    a course, or get myself apprenticed). Would the American Farriers
    Association be helpful? If so, what's the address?
    
    Thanks,
    
    /ed kelly
    
    
    

    I, too, would like to learn how shoe my own horse.  Any information
    that could be provided on the 'How To' of becoming a farrier would
    be greatly appreciated.
    
    			Thanks in advance for the information
    
    				Paul

	The best way to learn shoeing is to attend a farrier course and then
to apprentice with an experienced farrier. This requires time and money which
few horse people possess.
	The next best way is to read all you can, I can recommend several
good books, and apprentice with someone on a part time basis. Perhaps working
with a farrier on Saturdays.
	I do not recommend learning a little and then practicing on your
own horse. You will never develop the skills you need resetting one horse
every six or eight weeks and fitting shoes twice a year. It is also important
that you learn under the eye of an experienced farrier because a mistake can
result in damage to yourself and your horse. A horse that's been badly
pricked can be difficult to shoe for a long time afterwards and can suffer
permanent damage.
	Good books on shoeing:

		The Master Farrier (Beason) Bud Beaston is president of 
			Oklahoma Farriers School.

		Principles of Horseshoeing (Butler)

		Elements of Farrier Science (Canfield)

		Farriers Apprenticeship Manual (Cosira)

		Principles and Practices of Horseshoeing (Holmes)

		Mechanics of th eHorse (Rooney)

		Mechanics of Shoeing Gaited Horses (Simpson)

	Tyke

	Hi folks,

	   Well, I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado just to answer one
	of the questions.  I charge $35.00 for flat shoes all around and 
	$15.00 for trims.  The most expensive job I do is on the Morgan 
	show horses, with the toe weighted shoes and pads in front with a 
	square toe and trailer behind, that runs $60.00.  I do corrective 
	work also, if I have time someday, I'll have to tell you all about 
	the giraffe we had to shoe here at the local zoo.
	   Anyway, I also use Anvil Brand shoes or, as they're called now,
	ST. Croix.  They're a good heavy shoe and they're cheaper than 
	Diamond Special's.  I purchase most of my tools and shoes thru
	Cliff Carol's Horseshoers Supply, I did buy some of my bigger
	tools thru Centaur Forge also.  I liked their anvils better than
	Cliff's
	   As far as the rough one's go, I don't mess with them too often.
	If someone really wants one shod I have all the stuff to take him
	down but I don't like to do that, besides it'll cost ya.  There
	are too many nice horses around to work on and not have to worry
	about getting a nail ripped thru your leg.  The horse that really
	comes to mind about being stupid is Appaloosas, I might be setting
	myself up for some fire on this one, but I wouldn't give you two 
	cents for one.
	   I'm familiar with Joe and John Kris, I'd give up everything I
	own to become and apprentice under those guys.  Joe use to shoe my
	wifes horse years ago, long before I met her.  I have a picture of
	Joe Kris over my desk, I keep it there for inspiration.

		The address for the AFA.

		American Farriers Association
		P.O. Box 695
		Albuquerque, NM   87103

	   Well, I've chewed the fat long enough I'll see you all later
	on.


	Tight Clinches

	Bob Perry

    re: .7
    
    Thanks for the information. I'm a bit puzzled by your comment on
    the shoes. My farrier replaces all four shoes every six weeks. They
    look very badly worn at the end of that time. You seem to be saying
    that you only replace the shoes every six months?! Are you using
    a different type of shoe, or is the ground harder down here?
    
    Do you think I'd be better off just leaving the horse unshod, and
    filing the hoofs? He'll be in pasture almost exclusively, with
    occassional jaunts on trails. Eventually he'll be jumping, but
    right now he does only light pleasure work.
    
    re: .8
    
    Thank you for the address.
    
    
    

    			SHOES EVERY SIX MONTHS??? 
    I guess I'll put my two cents worth in.  yes six for shoes is not
    uncoomon.  I'm orginally from Denver Colo. and I had a mare that
    went barefoot most of the time, when I did have her shod my shoes
    would last any where from 4 to 6 months. this mare did hard work
    like roping and barrels, etc. My palimino that I have now didnt
    wear shoes too often either, It's the climate as well as rocks in
    N.H. that requires more shoeings per year, as long as the foot is
    growing evenly and not growing over the shoe. Because my mare has
    to have her shoes reset faithfully every 5 weeks. And just the other
    day at a show I threw a shoe just by barreling her in one class.
    I guess too. the shoers dont crimp like they do out west, maybe
    that why they are *sooo* busy??????  besides I tried letting her
    go barefoot like I did in Denver and I ended up with badly chipped
    feets.... oh well... I keep slid plates on the back, may as well
    shoe the front while they're at it.
    		wen.
    
    

    First let me make clear what I meant in the original note. Shoes
    last six months, but should be reset every six to eight weeks. The
    length of time that a horse can use a set of shoes depends on 
several factors. A shoe is replaced when the surface of the shoe or the 
nail holes are worn. A performance horse being used on a soft surface will
usually wear out the nail holes first. 
	I usually get a full winter of use from one pair of shoes on my
hayride horses. The nail holes don't wear because the horses aren't pulling
hard and the shoe surface is protected with drill-tek. I reset the shoes
every six to eight weeks however.
	There isn't any stock answer to your question about leaving your 
horse unshod. If your horse needs corrective shoeing then going barefooted
is out. Corrective work can be as simple as setting the shoe to correct
travel or rolling a toe so check with your farrier before you decide your
horse doesn't require shoes. If your horse is heavy in relation to the
size of the feet then shoeing is important, at least in front. I don't
mean to discourage you because many horses can go unshod without any ill
effects.
	I don't understand the comment about clinching in the west vs. east.
I learned to shoe in the east, worked for several years in the west and the
south west and I'm now back in the east. I never noticed any difference. I
set the clinch with a clinch block, trim the nail with a rasp, and make the
clinch with either the block under the nail or with the foot on the floor
if the horse is standing on a hard surface. A 2000 lb horse standing on a 
cement floor is going to hold the nail at least as well as I can with one 
hand and a clinch block.
	The only other way I know to make the clinch is with pliers. I don't
know anyone who uses pliers and in my opinion pliers are not nearly as good as
a block. Setting the clinch is not the only factor in keeping shoes on. The
condition of the foot is important. If the horn is too dry it will be tough to
make any clinch hold. The location of the nail holes in the shoe and the 
placement of the nails in the horn determine the quality of the clinch. If the
nail comes out too low on the wall or is nailed too far outside the white line,
the shoe will not stay on. I don't believe the home state has much to do with
the quality of a farrier's work.
	I can make a clinch that will stay no matter what the horse does. If
the shoe comes off most of the horn will go with it. Some times in the spring
during mud season I used to cross nail and clinch the log horses. I never 
saw a horse throw a shoe because of the mud but I did see one who got the shoe
caught under a stump. The horse couldn't work for a year and was never right
again. The point I'm trying to make is that there a farrier tries to put on a
shoe which will stay on for six to eight weeks under normal use but can come
off without crippling the animal.

	Tyke

    this is directed to Frost but proably would be a question that alot
    of people wondered about but never asked: Myself and friends from
    Denver have a taboo and that is never *ever* nail past the white
    wall of the hoof! i asked a shoer about this and he said this was
    not true after he nailed my mares shoe on (past the white wall),
    two days later me mare was sore. was it because of the shoer or
    was the lamesness caused by something else.  If a shoer ever tells
    me thats it is O.K. I'll never have him shoe my horse!
    		wendy-juanita (jus curious) matthews.
    

        Question for Tyke.  I've never heard of crossing the nails.
    I would like to know more about that.  And I studied with a fellow
    in Canon City, Co who used to clinch his nails that way and said
    he got a much tighter clinch.  I have tried that way and if I was
    packing in the mountians I would do it that way just to leave some
    tools at home.  Anyway, Tyke, sounds like I might be able to pick
    up a few pointers from you.  There's one thing about horseshoeing
    that really makes it interesting and that's you'll never learn it
    all.
    
    Well, so much for that its friday and I want to leave so see you
    all next week.
    
    Tight Clinches
    
    Bob Perry

	Re:.12
	Nailing inside the white line is not just a Denver taboo. There is
living tissue inside the white line. Driving a nail into living tissue is an
injury and like any other injury it is painful, and will result in lameness and
infection. 
	Sometimes its hard to find enough good wall to hold a nail but one
can't go into the foot to find it. 

	Re:.13
	Bob, be very careful when crossing nails. It makes the tightest clinch
you ever saw, but if the shoe comes off most of the wall will come with it. 
When I use a cross nail clinch, I punch the nail holes at the cross angle I
want. I use a nail one size larger than normal and I drive it a bit higher than
usual. In draft horses I use an 8 or 10 nail.
	In the one case where I saw a cross clinch shoe pull off the horse was
unusable for the better part of a year. He was pulling in deep mud and got his
foot hung up in the roots under an oak stump. Nearly three inches of horn was
ripped away all around the foot.

	Luck,
		Tyke

    A friend of mine needs a new farrier.  Can anyone recommend
    a farrier who is willing to do a 2 horse barn in the Hopkinton,
    MA area?  She has one horse who is extremely skittish and therefore
    the farrier will need the skills of dealing with a frantic horse
    as well as being a good farrier.  If you would like to respond
    via VAXmail instead of the notes file, it is fine with me.  I
    appreciate any help I can get.  Thank you.

    Bob, your credentials are impressive!  As most horsefolks know,
    a good ferrier (i.e., one who gets along with both you and your
    horse) is hard to find.  I currently pay in the range of $50 - $65,
    depending upon what I have done with the horse.
    
    =paul=

    There's a lot here about shoeing.  How about trimming?  Is it folly
    to try and do my own horses?  They're reasonably well-behaved, most
    are yougsters used to being handled.  The thing I worry about (this
    without having read any How-to material, you understand) is the
    angle of the hoof, fron and back.  I have Arabians and they seem
    to be trimmed a bit longer, especially in the front.  a
    
    I'm interested mostly from a financial point of view.  Trims for
    all my horses cost a small fortune each time.  Is it logical to
    assume that, if I could just rasp the rough edges every week or
    so, I could avoid doing any damage to the horses and could end up
    with nice hooves?
    
    Merrie
    DTN 341-2395

    I've been trimming my own horses for a while now. And started shoeing
    about 2 months ago - because I got fed up with having lame horses
    after the farrier left.  Maybe I haven't been to school, but my
    critters (all 6 of them) are a lot happier.
    
    My horses are all jumpers of one dort or another.  I use diamond
    shoes with borium all around.  The gook you ride through on an event
    makes it just about a necessity. I use a synthetic rim pad underneath
    to help reduce some of the concussion.
    
    Removable borium studs seem to be a better idea than the permanent
    variety.  Has anybody got any ideas on how/when to use them.  Also
    has anybody got an address for centaur forge?
    
    maureen
    
    
    
    
    

    The address for Centaur Forge ltd. is:
    
    	Centaur Forge Ltd.
    	P.O.Box 340
    	117N. Spring St.
    	Burlington, Wis. 53105
    	(414)763-9175
    
    The only caution I might add concerning borium studs is that the
    horse might be more likely to spike himself with the studs then
    with spots. Studs can also cause foot problems if the horse stands
    on hard surfaces for any period of time.
    
    If you don't mind experimenting, you might try Anvil Brand Shoes.
    I tried the Anvil Brand Shoes after using Diamond shoes for years.
    I like the Anvil Brand Shoes much better. I find that they fit the
    horse better so there's less work involved and most important, I
    like the nail pattern better. 
    
    	Anvil Brand Shoe Co.
    	R.R.#1, P.O.Box 68
    	Lexington, IL. 61753
    	(309)365-8270
    

    Thanks for the info.
    
    The only reason I've been using Diamond is 'cause thye're available
    locally. I'll try the Anvil next time.
    
    Removable studs are a great idea.  I NEED the traction the borium
    gives and the Mordax studs come in a variety of sizes/shapes for
    different weather conditions.  Some of those cross country jumps
    get slick!  I also like being able to fill the holes with blanks
    when I don't need the traction.  On of my critters has a tendency
    towards contracted heels - it's not bad, but having the raised heels
    borium gives you doesn't seem to help at all.
    
    The one thing I've learned from all this is that there are advantages
    to being short.
    
    maureen
    
    

    If anyone is looking for a Farrier/Blacksmith in the Mass/NH area
    we located one that is good as well as reasonable ($44.00).  His
    name is Paul Best, he is located in Raleigh, Mass. and interested
    in new clients.  Phone #617-948-7864.
    
    Tracy Gagnon

Does any one know of good farriers in the Southern New Hampshire area?
    
    I'm trying  to located Ed Auger?
    
    Thanks.
    

Ed Auger's number is (617)256-7919

I had trouble getting in touch with him last week -- I think he's
had some phone line problems.   When I couldn't get a hold of him,
(my mare threw a shoe the day before a 2 day show) I resorted to
trying other Southern NH blacksmiths... Dick Call in Rindge NH and
George Iselin in Marlborough NH.  George Iselin came out and did a
good job, I thought.  George's prices are also very low compared to
Ed's. 

Melinda

    I have already put this under services, but I guess this is a better
    place.  Randy Kershner is a blacksmith that apprenticed with Garth
    Bodkin and has worked on our horses and other horses we know, and
    does a great job.  He is looking for customers in the north central
    Mass and Southern NH area and can be reached at (401)728-5385.
    

    Garth Bodkin?  When I sold my horse 4 years ago, Garth had just moved
    to New Hampshire.  I was always happy with him...he did some corrective
    works and I never had problems.  But recently I heard from a friend who
    said he left our (old) barn almost entirely lame.  Is he still
    available?  I'm looking for someone to do my new horse, who needs some
    corrective work (underslung heel, Lancaster MA area).
    
    thanks,
    Mary

    On the subject of blacksmiths....I live in Weare NH and until recently
    had used Diane Fortier. But the last time I needed a reset, she
    did not show, and when I called again I was never able to reach
    her. I work full-time and have a busy schedule, so the last thing
    I need to deal with is an unreliable blacksmith. I then contacted
    Jack Casey, who did not show either. In a pinch, I contacted the
    guy (Phil Bordonaro) who does my gelding whom we board in Andover,
    MA, and he was willing to travel up to Weare to do the mare at home.
    I really like Phil, but he is literally twice the price I was paying
    for Diane. I must pay his costs for the gelding, but I split the
    cost with my brother, as well as the fact that he is about the
    only blacksmith the stable we board at allows. If anyone knows a
    competent (the mare needs no special shoes or anything), reliable
    blacksmith at a reasonable cost in NH....let me know!
    
    Linda
    

    RE:  .25
    
    Garth is still shoeing, though last I knew he wasn't taking on any new
    customers.  He does our whole barn and we've had him for about 12 years
    with no complaints!!  

    We started out with Jack Casey when we moved to NH and had the same
    problem.  I don't know if you can get someone reliable without spending
    some money.  We were really pleased with John Blombach who was our
    shoer for 10 years.  Once you had him come, he scheduled all subsequent
    visits.  He would call you the night before he was coming to remind
    you!  He usually had assistants with him and you didn't need to be
    there when he came.  If any of the horses needed something special,
    he'd remember (although we didn't have special corrective stuff with
    any of our horses).  John lives in Hudson, MA but travels up to NH
    frequently.  He is also expensive.  So if you really like Phil and he's
    reliable, you might want to stick with him.  I've found most reliable
    shoers are also fairly expensive.
    
    						Jan

    The folks who live in Lancaster might consider Chip Orcutt...I have had
    him for a good many years and been satisfied.  He travels from
    Newburyport but is down in the area frequently.  He can be reached at
    508-363-2067.  Best time is 6a.m. in the morning.
    

    Bob,
    
    I know that you have had no problems with Chip Orcutt, but the horse
    I just bought was shod by Chip for 2 years and now needs corrective work
    (one underslung heel and slightly contracted heels).  Also, a friend of 
    mine used Chip for a very brief time, but dropped him because her horse's 
    heels became contracted.  Since this is the only horse I have, I really
    can't justify the risk of leaving the corrective work to Chip.

    Just a note on Chip...I have a horse with contracted heels, no not from
    chip, that he looks after.  This particular horse has been shod by at
    least four blacksmith's this year as he was in training and he still
    has the problem on a recurring basis unless it is managed.
    
    I guess it comes down to the experience you have with each of them.
    My experience with Chip has been fine while others that other people
    find wonderful I have had problems with.
    
    Good luck...it is difficult to find a blacksmith that you can work
    with.
    

    We have used Dave Alzapedi from Lunenburg for 4 to 5 years and have
    been pleased with his work. He also does "Baby Glues" which are
    only done by John B. and himself as far as I know. We have been
    pleased, as have everyone else we know who uses him.
    
    Kind of a character, great sence of humor - 343-0781.

    RE: .26
    	Linda,
    
    	I live in Antrim NH and that is not far from Weare.  I have	
    	used Jack Sullivan for three years now and I am very happy 
    	with him.  I lost my old farrier and I went thru *6* farriers
    	in about 10 months until I found Jack.  He lives in Dearfield
    	NH and can be reached at:  603-463-8897 you will get a machine
    	but his wife books everyone for Jack and she is really good
    	about getting back to you.  Jack did not show up twice since
    	I started using him - once his truck pooped out on him (he called
    	me from a PHONE BOOTH!) and the other time - someone's horse
    	put him out of commission with a well-placed kick.
    
    	Prio to finding Jack - one of my nags was losing shoes at 
    	a fast rate and I had never had trouble with him before.  Jack's
    	shoes stay put on my cridder...  I did 75 miles in the mud
    	and rain for 4 days - I never saw my nag's feet unless I took
    	time to pull them out of the mud and check for shoes!  (This
    	was just this year.)  This same cridder wore one of his
    	front shoes half off (he hates bugs and keeps walking around
    	in his turnout) and still the shoe stayed on....heh-heh-heh...
    	
    	Jack is a very kind man too... really good with the cridders.
    	Even my dogs and always checks to make sure that my cat isn't
    	in his truck before he leaves...  (Spot loves to explore
    	the truck with all the smells..)
    
    	By kind... I mean he doesn't lose his temper.  Cody likes to
    	SIT on the farrier when he gets his back feet done... and Nashoba
    	is old and Jack just lifts his back feet just enough to work on
    	and lets him take breaks during his trim.
    
    	His prices aren't way out of line... $55.00 for my two horses
    	one has trim and the other trim/shoes 
    
    	Susan
    

 I think this is the note you were looking for...good luck!
================================================================================
Original Note by:     The Case of the Elusive Blacksmiths!               1 reply
DASXPS::LCOBURN                                      38 lines   1-DEC-1989 12:47
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Here I am again, still seeking that elusive creature called a
    blacksmith.I live in Weare NH. I need boriums put on my mare,
    who is very cooperative. Desperation is setting in! :-)
    
    Those I have tried:
    
    Diane Fortier --- does not return calls, and when I did manage
                      to get her on the phone she did not show for
                      the appointment.
    
    Phil Bordonaro -- will not travel north of his home in Derry
                      without several horses in the area to do
    
    Jack Casey ------- must be related to Diane Fortier
    
    Gretchen Gordon---lives about a mile away, but does not return
                      calls either. I have left several messages, and
                      can only assume she is not interested in taking
                      on any new customers.
    
    
    Chip Orcutt ------ must be related to Phil Bordonaro
    
    
    Recently I put this in here somewhere, I guess under a different
    topic, and one of you told me the name of your blacksmith and
    highly recommended him, but I cannot find it anywhere!! I know
    I should have printed it out at the time, but whoever you were,
    would you mind letting me know again who it was?? The flat shoes
    my mare has on now are from Phil, but last night I called him and
    he will not travel to me anymore unless I find him more horses to
    do or else trailer my horse to his place (which is possible except
    that my truck does not have a hitch yet...I just got the trailer
    a few months ago and was not planning to use it until spring) Am
    I doing something wrong here, or what?? Does anyone else run into
    this problem??
    

               How about Bret Butler....? 

    I use Bret Butler on my harness horses and am very happy with him.
    He spends a lot of time on each horse, and used to specialize in
    quarter cracks. 

In response to .35, yes, I have trouble finding a farrier, too,
though I'm down in Westford, MA.  (If anyone out there has a trusted 
farrier coming to a barn in Chelmsford/Westford in the next week, 
let me know!  Maybe I can convince him/her to stop by!)

Three or more years ago, when I was riding in Harvard, Mass, I had
Garth Bodkin do the mare I was leasing.  Garth was great, but not
available these days.

Now I'm riding at a barn that is done primarily by Jack Faldereau  
(I believe wendy o' is the only person in this file who
I've seen mention Jack... not the best story).  I ride a new horse
in this barn (not my own) who needs some farrier attention.  Usually,
the guys who run the barn call Jack, but he hasn't shown up in a month.
When I call him, he doesn't return the calls.  I can only guess that
he doesn't like this horses' owner, since the last horse this guy
owned needed constant shoeing, and Jack apparently didn't like all
the calls.  I never was too impressed with his work, but I don't know much.

I've spoken to John Blombach and explained the situation.  He sounded
really nice, and said he'd try to fit me in (last week), and would call. 
I haven't heard from him and will have to call back to find out if there's
any hope.

Next?  Maybe I'll try some of the farriers you've named who won't go
NORTH!

I think it happens to all of us.
--carrie

    Carrie,
    
    Try Phil Bordonaro, he is from Londonderry NH, but will not travel
    north of that for less than a dire emergency and an untouchable
    fee, because all his work is down in the Andover MA, Hamilton MA
    area. He does the gelding I board in Andover, and is very good and
    very reliable about returning calls etc., I must say that for him.
    His number is 434-1089. His price is high...I pay 70.00 for a reset
    with no special work done. He is the only farrier our boarding stable
    will allow.
    
    I did find a farrier from Derry who is scheduled to come out Thursday
    afternoon! HALLEJULAH!!!!! He is Bret Butler, and sounded real nice
    on the phone. Now if he will only show up......if not I still have
    a couple names I have not tried yet. I want to say thanks to everyone
    who sent me mail and put recommendations in here!
    
    Good luck Carrie, I know how frustrating this is!
    
    Linda
    

	 Another farrier  to try is Dave Belt.  He does all 30 horses at
     our  barn.   I've been using him for 1.5 years and have been happy.
     He  is  from  Winchendon, but is often in Littleton.  His number is
     508-297-3254.

Steve Torode does some horses in Westford off of Hildreth Street. I haven't 
used him in years but he always used to do a nice job (and my friends really
like him.)

I can probably get his number if you need it; just let me know (SKELTN::FOX.)

Good luck,

Linda

    Steve just shod my horse a couple weeks ago (Bedford, MA). 
    He did a nice job, $64 for 4 new shoes, no pads or borium.
    He's out of Palmer, phone# (413) 289-1301.  
    
    I was especially pleased because my horse (new to me AND him) had 
    aluminum plates on, and rather than just replace them, he had me
    called at work and asked whether I wanted to use them or regular
    shoes.  (went for regular...)  
    	- Kate

    My name is Paul Le Sage, I work full time right here at DEC.  I am also
    a part time Farrier.  I have been shoeing since 1981.  I went to School
    in Oklahoma and apprenticed under Garth Bodkin.  I have a small shoeing
    business now, I do about 32 horses regularly and a dozen or so off and
    on.  To be honest with you I do not do extensive corrective shoeing
    (heart bar shoes etc.).  If you are looking for farrier to do basic
    shoeing, pads etc., I am available.  I shoe on Saturdays and after
    work weekdays.  My rates are $50.00 for four shoes, trims are $20.00
    and of course pads and packing are extra.
    
    I can be reached at dtn 244-7435 or at home 897-3871.  I live in
    Maynard.  

    Brett does a lot of the horses at the barn where my horse is stabled.
    They all seem to be happy with him.  He's very personable and his
    wife also works for DEC (in my group).
    
    Karen
    

    There is another farrier in chelmsford, I think his name is Whitey
    Baldwin.  In fact that is his nickname, while I was writting this I
    tried to find his name, good thing I wrote a check or I wouldn't of
    remembered.  Any way I used him one time where my horse was boarded
    and he seemed fine to me, but since I brought mine home I'm using the
    same farrier she had before I got her.  I looked in the phone book for
    his number and there is only one baldwin who's first name starts with
    an E and it's Everett (256-5295) I only remember his nickname but I
    made the check out to E. Baldwin.  He was very reasonable $35.00 for
    a trim and front shoes.  He travels to N.H. also, the stable I boarded
    at was in Brookline, N.H. and he did mention that he travels to Jaffrey
    N.H. every Wednesday to Silver Ranch. 
    Hope this helps the person in Westford who's looking for a farrier.
    
    C

    Anyone ever hear of Paul E. Seamans in Dracut Ma. ?  Supposedly a
    Corrective Specialist.
    

    The number for Allen George is: 880-6691. He is excellent, he fixed
    some cracks in my horses hoofs. 
    Thanks
    Ruth
    

================================================================================
Original Note by              ***HORSESHOEING***                       47 of 49
WILKIE::ZAHND                                        15 lines  23-JAN-1990 12:12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Allen George is another excellent farrier that comes up to New Boston
    and he talks to the horses all the time. He takes care of the
    Rockingham Race horses. He does afternoons and evenings for private
    barns. I have the phone number for Allen at home. Garth Bodkin, does 
    not take new people. 
    I'll leave the numbers tomorrow.
    Ruth
    

    When you only have 1 horse, it is impossible to find a farrier willing
    to come.  (They just don't show up!)
                                                   
    As all horse shows must have a farrier available, I went to a local
    show and asked the farrier if he did single horse barns.  That was
    how I found Ken Dalto. 
    
    Ken Dalto's Blacksmith Co.  508-690-2176 from E. Bridgewater, MA.  
    His business card says "We specialize in special shoeing".  After 
    working with him on the first couple of shoeings, I am very pleased 
    with the results.  My horse requires minor corrective shoes on front.  
    Last bill two weeks ago was $40 for trim/new corrective up fronts and
    trim back.  He is good with my horse, reasonable and PROMPT!
    I do not know what his travel restrictions are.
    
    Just a suggestion:  Don't go by just one shoeing.  Some first shoeing
    jobs I have had were great, but following jobs were terrible.  Work
    with a new farrier, and do not be afraid to complain if you don't
    like the job.  You're paying for it!
    
    L-

    
    Patrick Reilly from Epping, NH has been doing my critters feet 
    and I really like the results.  He suggested that I let my horse
    go barefoot for most of the winter.  Yesterday we had new shoes 
    put on all the way around.  His feet did pretty well over the 
    winter with very few chips and no cracks.  He had been a little 
    contracted on one front foot, but even that has spread considerably.
    
    Patrick put a lift pad on one of the back feet and did a good job on
    all the others.  He is very prompt and polite.  I call him and he
    arranges to come out as scheduled.  His number is (603) 679-8456.
    
    For yesterday's work, he charged me $55.  I think that is very 
    reasonable.      **Marti**
    

    I checked the farrier note, but didn't see any listed
    for my area.  My current farrier has done a double no-show
    for showing up to shoe my horse.
    
    Anyone know of any horseshoers in the Middleboro, MA area!
    (or any who might travel that far?)                                                         
    
    HELP!  His shoes are coming off-----I need one this week!
                                       
    Lynne

    
    	Gary Shults in Upton is very good and CHEAP! His schedule
    	can be pretty flexible, give him a call - 529-3792.
    
    	Sherry
    

    There is another farrier starting up business in the area. I 
    can't speak for his work but know him from showing on the Appaloosa 
    Circuit. He breeds and shows Appys and Quarter horses and has a
    good reputation at both. Has been around horses a good part of his
    life.
    
    He is Certified by Oklahoma Horseshoeing School and is growing his 
    business part time while holding down a "real job" so is probably 
    pretty flexible for us working folk.
    
    Name:  Buster Stone      Two Little Acres
  				RR #2 Box 529
    				Charlton, Ma. 01507
    
    			(508) 248-6504  
  

    Gretchen Gordon - Fieldstone Farm, Weare N.H. is close by and VERY!!!!
    good!