Shane, if i remember correctly ,a few years ago on horseshoes there was a lengthy discussion about the term/nomenclature "cowboy", as with many words ,it can be used positive or negative or as just a term and i believe rcd. the same, i don't know how it was meant....really don t care! if you have a pic, i d like to see how you do it, and i m sure others would also, the same to all,thanks Ben, did i handle that ok? Regards Ray
...stuff deleted I am aware that it can be meant several ways and received several ways. I am also aware of the majority opinion on people that use a welder or other means of making a bar shoe out of a keg shoe. I really don't care if I am considered a cowboy shoer or a hack....the proof is in the results. I have some pretty strong results under my belt and the respect of some highly successful and respected people. It really doesn't matter in the end how you get there (weld in vs. forged) the point is to get the results = sound horse, problem properly resolved. I stand behind my work, I just think its pretty closed minded to label someone because of the means by which they reach the end. Fact...we only have so many swings of a hammer in our shoulders and our elbows. Why use them up when you don't need to? I carry a forge and I know how to use it...I choose not to unless I need to. If that makes me a hack, cowboy shoer...so be it...I'm okay with that.
You're welcome. He did not notice one bit how they were made. He did however notice that he could walk on that foot again after I was done.
As my Dad told me: There is more than one way to skin a cat and it don't matter which way you do it, just as long as there is no holes in the hide. Why do you think I got my little stick welder riding in my van? I have also been known to throw a .25 ure (danish coin about the size of a dime, copper) in a weld.
When I am setup at a horseshow or barrel race and have dead time, I build barshoe blanks..eggbars and straight..even some heartbars if I have the time..then when I am at a horse I have a few differant sizes and steel sizes too...saves time at the horse when all I need to do is fuller or stamp..turn my own sliders too. Just because I like to build them....
Shane the reason i said Cowboy was i noticed your from Oklahoma me was thinking thats were Cowboys come from. more than likely i'm wrong. i know the horse might not know wheather you Fab/made them but it looks a rough effort to me
Being a true blacksmith is the heart of our trade!!!!!!! You will always be judged on the last shoeing; and you might as well be a true blacksmith. There is time for fabrications; but do try to keep it a minimum; for you never know who is looking at your work and want to hire you; because you have set yourself apart from everyone else.
No its not. And if you understand the difference between a blacksmith and a farrier/horseshoer, you know why. Bullshyte...... Thats a load of mushroom fertilizer. Horseowsners(not horsemen/women because they are a rare and mostly extinct group nowadays) care about three things. Those things, in no particular order are 1. How much does it cost 2. How long did the shoes stay on 3. Relative to 1 & 2, how sound is the horse And I'll guarantee you that if the horse moves better after you work on it, the horse couldn't care less how the appliance(s) amended to its feet were made. And the way you set yourself apart from everyone else is with your knowledge and ability to give the horse exactly what it needs every time it needs something.
Please feel free to start a new thread on the merits of different aspects of the subject. This is a place to post photos.
David - at the bottom of each post there is a very little box. Click that box on every post which is off topic or not related to the photo contest. In that box that pops up, click "other actions" and select move post from the drop down.
now your talking John, but would you start another thread,maybe call it pub shoes, we don t want Michael to get confused, and we ll leave these folks to show bar horseshoes, good man,.... oh i think it s your turn to buy! thanks Ray
