A farrier

Nice shot. A rural and old profession within the sight of the modern world of tarmac road and city flats. I would not like try, nor would I be able to try this as a profession. I had a Great Uncle who had been a blacksmith all his life in rural Aberdeenshire and with the majority of his farrier experience being confined to Clydesdales at a time when horses were the either the sole means of power on farms or were a large part of most farms and local transport. A very old man and long since retired when I was barely school age, he ended up with a permanently bent back as a result.

The farrier worked on many of the horses very quickly. He was efficient and accommodating. The horses on the drive were the stars of the show. Thanks for the history regarding your Great Uncle. Working on Clydesdales would have been an experience.

Thanks. In Great Uncle's case it was unfortunately a long-term nasty experience

always seemed a noble profession - at least storied!

how many mistakes does a farrier get to make?

jvo said:

always seemed a noble profession - at least storied!

how many mistakes does a farrier get to make?

Click to expand...

Not many I would guess. This farrier worked quickly and obviously knew exactly what he was doing.

I used to watch my dad do this, but he sold the farm and we moved to town before he could teach me. When he was a kid they farmed with horses, so he learned it pretty early on.