Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Monday, October 5, 2009

Toot, Toot, Tootsie

I think it is a surprise to a lot of people that blacksmiths still exist. It brings forth the image of a smokey shed with bellows and an anvil. 




Now they travel in trucks pulling customized trailers filled with the tools of their trade. They are a most important part of the equation that keeps a horse sound and happy. If you've had a bad one, you know how important.


My farrier will be here this morning. I see my farrier often, but mostly I see his backside, as that is the anatomical part facing me. As he has gotten older, it has become smaller. Completely opposite of myself, sad to say.


He has been my farrier for nearly fifteen years. I have gone though, in his life, three home purchases, three boys growing up, a couple of dogs dying, the loss of hair and three trucks with him. Because of the concentration of time the farrier spends at one time with you, you really get to know one another. Before Mark started working at home I saw the farrier more than I saw Mark.


Farriers are also the carrier of news. A farrier will know everything going on in the community. Sort of like the town crier.


So this morning I'll get my horse's tootsies trimmed and all of the news fit to tell. Sounds like a great way to spend a morning.

17 comments:

Britwife said...

Sounds like a perfect way to spend the morning!!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Hmmmm . . . Tell us more. ;-)

I didn't know you had lost your hair and three trucks!!!

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Much better than a trip the human salon, for all the news!

And you're feeling better?

Lorac said...

Well your are right! I did not know that! Very interesting. Are you going to get some pics?

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

OMG...how lucky you are to have a great farrier! They can make or break your horse in one single trim...been there and done that. I laughed so hard about only seeing the backside...so true! It was always fun to have the farrier come...a whole day was spent listening to the poof and flame of the forge and the clanking of the hammer & anvil. They are the BEST gossips!!

Sandra said...

Better than a lot of ways I spend my morning!

Bonnie, funny! I edited my sentence to make more sense. It does pay to read what you right. : )

gsc, I feel luck a duck out of water in a hair salon. I am feeling better.

Lorac, that's what I thought. Most people don't think about or know about horses, so it wouldn't register that you need a blacksmith, even now in the 21st century. I don't get photos because I hold the horse. If the flash didn't get the farrier killed, all I would get is the man's backside. His wife may not like me posting butt photos of her husband!

Alicia, having a good farrier ranks very high for anyone with horses. A bad one is a disaster. And yes they are. They know everything, which means the next person of the day knows your everything as well!

Ganeida said...

lol. Nothing I like more than standing round nattering while someone else works! ☺

Judy said...

Ahh, a horse pedicure.
You are lucky you have a great farrier and sounds like a friend.

Sandra said...

Ganeida, with most horses it isn't much to handle them whilst he bends over and gets it done. But, and this is a big but, some of them are a challenge and then we both work. It's my job to keep him safe. I have a couple that I resort to drugs with. Keeps everyone safe. Mostly though, it's me talking to his backside!

I always break it down; front feet is their manicure and hind is the pedicure. Got to keep those tootsies nice! And the show horses always got polish. : )

Memories Of Mine said...

I thought all men talked out of their backsides anyway.

I hope he doesn't include town gossip on his bill, but then again some of it might be worth paying for.

Sandra said...

BWAHAHAHAHA!!! You are too funny Liss.

Ashley Dumas said...

Have fun with farrier. Sounds like he has a pretty interesting job!

EveryoneThinksThey'reGoodDrivers said...

I hear he is a fantastic farrier, and I agree, you get a good one and you hang on!

Sandra said...

What starts to become apparent after a few years is how long I have known the people who help me keep my horses well and sound. My farriers children were little kids, one a toddler, when I first started using him to trim my horses. And because there are so many horses, I have seen him often for a long time.

Jean L. said...

It's farrier morning here, so I'll be "speaking to the butt"! :~)

julochka said...

our farrier was from somewhere in minnesota. dan something. he must have really traveled quite a large area, as we were clear over halfway across south dakota. but we did love all the news he brought and who had acquired what horse and the like. i miss those days. :-)

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!