Seems as I remember another person on here that refused to post any of their photos for us to see...hmmm
not enough time.....your apprenticeship never ends I worked the fire for over 6 years in the blacksmith shop from about 9am to about 3 pm in the afternoon 6 days a week mostly [unless shoeing]; then off to shoe evenings/weekends or went with John for seeing how he shod. Took 4 yrs before I could pass the racetrack test; and practice the IUJH for 6 yrs till I got proficient at it. worked in the fire all the way up to my daughter's birth in 2000. went back worked in our shop from time to time; but not very much. When John died in Oct. 2004; I stopped forging all together. I had lost my nerve and will. Grief does that to people. It wasn't until George Giest met me; and had me up to New Jersey; and for the first time; swaged out block and stick with toe grab on Dec. 3, 2006!!!! first time I picked up a hammer and forged on the anvil. I hadn't forgot it!!! Until Chris came over in Nov. 2012; I hadn't even swaged out a barshoe for the IUJH in over 17 yrs. I did it on the first try! ask Chris or George, for they were there when I made it. I made my first creaser in 22 1/2 yrs.......pics thur Tom Bloomer when we have our hammer-in. Thur Chris's visit this November 2012; he's encouragement has help me get my forging back. Thank you Chris.
Linda, Regardless of your hand made tools, I believe what is being conveyed here is that you are very quick to throw your opinion out when other people post pictures...how they didn't trim it right, what shoe they should have used, what they should have made it out of, etc. yet, you post nothing of your own, except your opinion. We don't care that you now make a living heel hooking plates and keggers on a stall jack at the race track...show it. Otherwise, you continue to pontificate; which none of us are interested in. None of us here are gods, so if "I have my reasons" is the best you have, that is fine too, just hide behind that and quit making suggestions for others. Thanks.
I don't remember where but someone was saying that Grant Moon has three letters on the wall in his shop. N G E Never Good Enough Because no matter how good of job you think you have done there is always room for improvement.
I posted this on Facebook a few days ago. Not really in the picture taking mode lately, haven't taken many. I would say this is a pretty typical Monday at shoeing swamp feet. Cody Gilreath, CF Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Forgive me for saying this Kim, but 3 months is 'work experience' not an apprenticeship... in anything, not just farriery. It's like talking about a 3 week pregnancy, it's just the beginning.
I understand that, and that's why I'm here, seeking advice, attending what clinics I can, bugging farriers for ride time, etc. Is it really thought that I'm satisfied with the above listed "experience" I told Linda about. That was just a statement of the work experience I've had so far and by no means a stopping point.
It was Smitty, I knocked it out before I nailed the shoe on. Cody Gilreath, CF Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks. This particular place I go to, I guess because they are near a river and their is more ground moisture, but all the horses have feet like this. This was a hunt seat horse they got in a while back and let him wear his shoes off. I do appreciate softer feet to work on. Cody Gilreath, CF Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm sure you don't and, for the record, I think you have done remarkably well given the amount of time that you have been at it and the amount of training that you have had. I also admire the determination and resilience that you have shown on this forum. I was simply commenting on the description of three weeks experience with a farrier as an 'apprenticeship'. No offence or criticism meant.
Smitty, please read the rest of whats been written I don't want to keep going over it. I am NOT saying I know everything from that short amount of time.
