Atmospheric farriery

During the past few days, we have been operating a course offering an introduction to farriery. The instructor, Akos from Targu Mures, is one of the best farriers in the country. Students benefited from a good theoretical grounding by Akos and our vet Cristi, and from an excellent demonstration by Akos. Under close supervision, the students also obtained hands-on experience that enabled them to see just what a skilled job farrery really is.

I took enough photos to fill several posts, so I shall start with a couple of my favourites.

First, Akos is about to try a shoe fresh from the forge on Doru's newly trimmed left front foot. I like the way that the hot shoe shows up a bright red. Akos is holding it by a clever gadget of his own manufacture. Driving a pritchel into the nail hole can bend the shoe, whereas this way it is maintained perfectly flat.

The shoe is a Natural Balance model. In the depths of Transylvania, Akos was well aware of the benefits of Natural Balance, more than can be said for the narrow minded farriers sent to Romania by a certain British equine charity.

The second photo catches the moment when the red hot shoe sends forth clouds of smoke from the hoof. I like this evocative image, reminiscent of photos of steam locomotives simmering atmospherically. It captures the combination of heritage and craftsmanship, the action of fire and iron, the collaboration between skilled worker and powerful horse.

Doru emerged beautifully shod with flat shoes, not a calkin in sight, not even borium on this occasion. On a short ride, Doru moved easily and cleanly, not once stumbling. In the muddy street, someone called to me that he had lost his shoes, fooled by the absence of calkins and toe pieces.

Comments

[Mikey]

Love that post. I was looking and thought, that has to be a Natural Balance shoe :) I knew it!!
That's awesome that you're putting on clinics! I hope everyone learned something good from it, I know I always do.
Lol at the locals thinking your horse had lost his shoes. Bet the horse was glad though. I like the NB shoes a lot, and for some horses they are a must have.
Thanks for the post!

[Jackie]

Now, if only blog photos could evoke the lovely smell of hot shoeing, we'd really get a taste of the day!

[Dragos]

The introduction course was......beyond any expectations; Akos and Cristi did the best in teaching us, novices in farriery and horse hoof anatomy, useful and practical things. Thank again to all involved for this quite "unique" experience in Romania - at least for amateurs wanting to learn more than just how to ride.