Mountain Living 101: Learning a Skill.

About 2 months ago I decided that I had had it with my farriers up here in Idaho and since I can't get Jim Yarbrough (from Clovis) to come up here with out me having to take on another job to pay for the plane flights I decided that I would do it. Anyone who know's me :0) knows when I've made up my mind...I'm doing it come hell or high water. So I got on line and researched farrier schools, the textbooks they use and the tools they need. I called Jim and asked him many questions. He of course got a chuckle out of it. I also have the best vet ever up here in CDA, she too went to farrier school and between the two of them they said they were willing to help teach me, as long as I'm not trying to do any 'corrective' shoeing.

Joe also knows me too well and asked how much this was going to cost. I broke the cost down between the 'trimming' materials and the second wave of 'shoeing' materials. I have been practicing on my babies for a couple of months now and I was ready to buy the shoeing materials. I called up Annie and asked her if I could now trim her awesome Paint Chief.

Chief, I trimmed the hoof on the right.

He is so much like Beau, good, steady and sweet. I asked her to take a look after I got done and comment, because in another week or two her and I are going to get together to shoe the front hooves of either Beau or Chief. She had a vet call the day I had planned on trimming Chief, so I just headed out to her house. I wasn't worried about Chief, but I was concerned that her Anatolian Shepard Ben wouldn't let me in the back fenced area. I have met Ben several times before, but never with out a family member present. I went to the back and who came barreling up there...Ben...Annie told me to call him by name and walk in there like I belonged. I did it, but Ben kept within 5 feet of me, I believe to make sure I wasn't going to try any funny business. Chief walked over to one of his sisters, Flower, trying to hide from me...funny how they know who we want as soon as we step foot in the pasture; which was hilarious because I think Chief is close to 16.3 hands. I put the halter on him that I brought from home and it barely fit, he's a big boy. I walked him out to the car, dropped the lead rope and began putting my chaps on. He stood there as I pulled out the files, nippers and hoof stand. He looked at me gave a deep sigh and lifted his left front hoof when I asked. I'm used to my little ponies that stand at 14.1 hands, when I went to put Chiefs front hoof between my legs I didn't have to bend over nearly as much and his belly rested on my side...he was nice and warm. I can't stay bent over for long periods, so needless to say, it takes me a lot longer to do a trim than a professional. Chief was a dream, I'd take a break and pet him and give him kisses and he just stood there while I worked away. I left him long, because I know he's going to get shoes in a couple of weeks and in case I'm off in any way, I wanted to have some hoof left to correct my mistakes. I have many questions and I need to start writing them down, so I can ask Jim and Annie.