Beautiful Lady Blacksmith at work filmed by Twombly Publishing

[tazang20]

I think the correct term is a barefoot trimmer as no nails and hammer is involved and shes is doing a barefoot trim..... :)

[jcstockfarm]

she does alot of work thatn is not necassary one or two swipes would of done it with the rasp and yes not handeling he tools proper but atleast she is doing it. hope she is doing a good job hard to tell from video. but hey yes get some pants on and boots

[FrankCastle1958]

I love comments from people who do not know squat about the subject..... this gal did it fine. We trim natural, and use boots only in really rough terrain... I dare anyone to claim our horses feet "improper"! LOL!! And, I "one handed" rasp quite often.... Guess 24 years as a Professional Cabinetmaker and Carpenter may have something to do with knowing how to HANDLE the TOOLS of the trade!! I'd think this Farrier has similar know how,& there are no "rules" only "opinions" & of course, EXPERIENCE!

[teagm003]

She's a farrier, not a blacksmith... HUGE difference...

[twomblypublishing]

@teagm003 you are so right... I wrote that title for people who weren't horse savvy... but you are 100% right :)

[teagm003]

@twomblypublishing Ah, fair enough, I thought you might be just another person thinking that just because someone hits metal with a hammer they're a blacksmith... :)

[Saartje05]

@teagm003 I'm not English, so please explain me what the difference is between a farrier and a blacksmith?

[twomblypublishing]

@Saartje05 anyone who shapes iron is a blacksmith, but those that specialize in shoeing horses are farriers. a farrier might also just trim horses hooves ( they needn't always put shoes on and the shoes might not even always be metal because of special needs + technology) but a farrier would probably not be interested forging a set of door hinges and a blacksmith might not know anything about horses feet... a farrier IS usually a blacksmith, but a blacksmith is not always a farrier

[twomblypublishing]

@Saartje05 some farriers do not work in metal , but exclusively trim and shape the hooves... so they conceivably are not blacksmiths. ( sorry to seem confusing... I hope that helps :)

[lauralovessmokeyjoe1]

@teagm003 im sorry i may seem stupid but can i ask is a black smith a person that makes the show and a farrier is who puts it on ?

[twomblypublishing]

@lauralovessmokeyjoe1 no question is ever stupid :) a blacksmith is a person who shapes iron... he can make gate hinges, iron fences, or he can make shoes and put them on horses ( he doesn't have to be able to do all of these... but people who do any of those things are called a blacksmith. a farrier is a person who ONLY works on horses feet. so a farrier can be called a blacksmith, but a blacksmith is not necessarily a farrier. I hope that helps :)

[lauralovessmokeyjoe1]

@twomblypublishing aww i just call mine a farrier lol

[twomblypublishing]

@lauralovessmokeyjoe1 that works :) lol

[LowkeeLT]

It all looked good up until the end where she began filing down the outside of the hook wall. From everything I know, that is a *very bad practice*. You are essentially removing the waterproof protective coating which retains moisture and prevents cracking. It is analogous to sanding the chrome from a steel part. You are exposing what is meant to stay protected. Please don't do that anymore!

[TheGlombus]

i lost a toe because of shoes like you re wearing ;D

[trees143]

Funny how everyone is a critic. I'm sure if I put up a video of our farrier trimming our horses, some folks out there would do exactly the same thing. Sometimes what matters most is what can't be seen. He gets them trimmed well, and more importantly, he has taken the time to develop a relationship with each horse, including a somewhat nervous stallion. He has always put the experience of the horse first and is very gentle, never wanting to sedate or twitch if things aren't going his way.

[hoofcare1]

Forget about horseshoers..u need to get a farrier to train u..it takes 4 year under a master farrier and then u have to pass a exam every year then ul have a good idea about the job and after 7 or 8 years ul be top class if u care about the job...the girl was ok and as the men that said keep ur two hand on the rasp and sharpen ur knife get some boot and a pair of jeans are right...and push the toe and heels back the heels look very under run..that's just my taughts on it...best of luck..

[johnnysgretsch]

not all the best shoers work at barns.. that is for dam sure..

[Shennir]

hey people, i think I need to do my own video here.. So that you could see by yourselfs that women CAN really shoe horses. Well, I've seen worse men farriers than this lady here, but believe me, there is lot better womans in this business as well :P (And sorry -I'm good at shoeing -not typing english)

[mastershoer]

I agree with some of the commemts Im a proffesional but no expert! I believe a trim such as hers is still better then being left way to long by some horse owners!

[sparker723]

yeah her rasp work is a little silly looking, the rasp only works in one direction so she should ditch the "scrubbing" and concentrate on long, smooth strokes, Four Shoes I doubt you could do better, so stop playing like you're somebody

[tshorse]

wow, she is going to have back problems, doesn't hold the hoof properly, needs to sharpen her knife, rasping style is poor, wearing shorts is a no no esp wearing tennis shoes.......just trying to help

[sergeantsailorman]

I was raised on a working cattle ranch. Cowboy'd, worked at dude stables, drove stagecoaches, and shod horses. Everyone has different techniques, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. If a shoer gets the job done, and the horse is helped, and not damaged, then it's a good job. My one comment would be to get some steel toed work shoes. You can find a pleasing style for yourself.I don't have a toenail on my right big toe due to a horse stepping on it. Steel toed shoes would have prevented it.

[twomblypublishing]

wow.. what's up with your comments?? my horses and ponies are all sound.. remain sound ( that's the point, right? :) and love the manner in which she handles them. She's been their farrier for years now and I wouldn't switch. I'm going to check out all of your videos now to compare your technique of working on their feet to see the vast differences to which you refer.

[thehappyhoof]

@twomblypublishing Notice that when you went to check this jerk-wads videos out, he DIDN'T HAVE ANY! There are a lot of farrier on here just like him, who's main past time, is to sit around and drink in front of the computer, get on youtube and message boards and forums and just make snide comments on every one else.

[twomblypublishing]

@thehappyhoof I checked out your channel... you are AWESOME :) so clear and thoughtful !! I'm going to watch more of your vids ... so educational!! ( yet kind and without putting anyone down... thank you :)

[McCormickfahrer]

First of all, get your knifes sharpened and learn to shape a frog babe!

[AussieCowGAL]

what the helll she's not a farrier

[Lipsill]

She can't have been a farrier for long. It looks like an apprentice

[fourshoesatatime]

Her work sucks and she's a BAD HAND with her tools.For 1 do don't handle your rasp with one hand .and 2 you keep the rasp flay on the hoof when pushing it I see see don'tt have it flat and 3 when pushing the rasp she's going in a ciceral motion

[twomblypublishing]

@fourshoesatatime I had to look up "ciceral" . apparently you are referring to Cicerale a town and comune in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy... I guess they move the rasp the way she does there.

[tystone48]

@fourshoesatatime have to agree ! never seen nothing like it in all my thirty years ? 2 hand rule ! sorry just dont agree with this as a good trim job....nope !

[Saartje05]

@fourshoesatatime Our blacksmiths ALL handle the rasp with one hand. I think she's doing a swell job.

[tonymengela]

And I can say this because I have worked with tools my whole life,,, shipyard outside machinist, sheet metal welding and so on,,,

[twomblypublishing]

I would go to a local barn and ask them who the very BEST farrier in your area is.. then you could ask him/ her where s/he went.. OR perhaps you might even intern/ apprentice under them!??!! that's one or two ideas :) hope it helps.... an understanding of body mechanics is also essential though because a horse is a creature which has one body part affect every other body part.. an amazing being :)

[tonymengela]

I think she is doing quite well with her tools,,Personally I am hoping to go to a farrier school any suggestions?

[fiddler9635]

@tonymengela Oklahoma STATE horseshoeing school. Not oklahoma horseshoeing school in purcell, but you want oklahoma state. I really like thier teachers, techniques and they truly make you learn structure etc. Oh and takesome buisness classes b/c they always help!

[twomblypublishing]

@fiddler9635 thanks :) very helpful info .. I'm sure it's appreciated by many people who are wondering the same thing :) + I concur w your business classes idea... as I teach a business class myself :) lol ( I always try to give my students info they can use forever... and daily  !!! :)

[mastershoer]

@tonymengela Go to the Okla horseshoeing School in Purcell,it will be one of the best investments you ever made ! I did in Jan,88 Im a full time farrier tending to minis to anything in between race,performance,ranch,gaited, anything you want they will show you,they showed me and I have nothing but the utmost confidence when i left there!

[itwasallgoodinthe70s]

BEWARE of the RED TOMLINSON school of horseshoeing. RED IS A THIEF. He'll take your deposit and you'll NEVER get a time,place or ANY details on meeting for that firse class. RED IS A TRAVILING THIEF. He uses PO Boxes,eamils and cell phones to hide from people. DONT PAY THIS PIECE OF CRAP A SINGLE $. You'll never see him again !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[itwasallgoodinthe70s]

BEWARE OF THE RED TOMLINSON school of shoeing. RED IS A THIEF... DONT PAY HIM UPFRONT

[cuphorse]

Geeze, why does she consistently rasp with one hand and use the other hand to support the hoof? Never saw that awkward technique before. I don't see how she can maintain control with a rasp, only using one hand. Most amatureish.

[twomblypublishing]

I looked at all 4 of your vids to see how you handled the rasp and made your horses comfortable, but there were really none there to compare it to, so I really can't compare your style to the way she supports this creative minded horse.

[3031607]

hi i have three horses how can i learn to do this thank you

[twomblypublishing]

this young woman graduated college ( I believe Cornell? ) to learn this, but you could apprentice as well (or in addition to college time)... this woman also attends seminars and workshops regularly and has recently been voted president of her regions group of Farriers, (so they are able to network and add to their skill and knowledge in many ways)... an easy introduction would be to read some literature about the art of horseshoing and what farriers do. corrective work is a vast challenge : )

[fiddler9635]

@3031607 If you want to do it correctly, go to a school, then apprentice with at least 3 FARRIERS not horseshoers. Then from there do what you think. Make sure you read, and join our orginizations. In my personal experience though, and im not trying to discourage you, owners wanting to do this dont usually work out.

[Dragging1Canoe]

I'm with you

[delta2131]

a persons technique isn't nearly as important as whether the finished product is correct or not, and from what I saw in the vid her finished product would look very fine.

some times, especially for finer work, one handed is easier. its sometimes referred to as working the tool instead of yourself...

[dahoss65]

Only because im use to watching top-notch blacksmiths in action at places like Belmont, Churchill, Saratoga, Keeneland, etc do their thing. Some of these guys are the elite in farrier service

Watching her shoe is like watching a super-slo motion video and the handling of china ware. You know, like watching paint dry. Her movements around the hoof seem strange as well, as if her brain is sending mixed signals

Im not saying she doesnt do a good job, she probably does, but it just looks strange

[twomblypublishing]

I believe that the farriers that you see really do get to see a lot of fine horses, but I'd stake my life on the work of my original farrier Frank Gringeri (who spent time in his early years on thoroughbreds), and in addition to Shirley's work ( who I'll also endorse :) we have the likes of Myron Mclain and Nick Denson around here :) we've got our share of 1st rate farriers :) . I picked Shirley because in addition to her good work..my horses LIKED her so much :) that counts 2..for me :)

[dahoss65]

This is too funny. It's like watching an NBA game and then later on watching a high school girls basketball game.

[twomblypublishing]

why do you say that?? Shirley goes to symposiums and stays abreast of the latest technologies and theories in hoof care and horse holistic maintainence... she works hand in hand w area veterinarians I had to try out a couple of farriers after my farrier of 35 years retired ( a tough act to follow.. Frank Gringeri :) but Shirley is the right person to care for my extraordinary horses :)

[asqrss3233]

It looks like you are staying a little high in the inside.

[iluvmyponi]

I only know of one other lady farrier. She' doing a great job! really great!