A World Master Farrier Visits My Farm
My horses are all moving better and feeling more comfortable with their new shoes.
My Friesians, Fell pony, and other shod horses, usually get new shoes every six to eight weeks. Horseshoes are generally made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, and are designed to support and protect the horse’s hooves from wear, but they must be fitted properly in order to prevent other health and mobility issues from developing. Earlier this week, I invited Mike Wildenstein, to visit my Bedford, New York farm and evaluate all the horses in my stable. Mike is one of only three individuals worldwide to have passed the distinguished Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers examination in the United Kingdom with an “Honors” designation. For many years, Mike worked as the adjunct associate professor of Farrier Medicine and Surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. And now he travels across the country and around the world sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise. While here, Mike spent two days assessing my equines, consulting with my veterinarian, Dr. Elizabeth Kilgallon from Miller & Associates, offering tips and advice to my farrier, Marc Hill, and his associates, and making custom horseshoes for my herd.
Enjoy these photos.
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- This was a very special week for everyone working with the horses. I share my stable with four Friesians, one Fell pony and five miniature Sicilian donkeys, and all were being seen and evaluated by a master farrier to ensure their hooves were in good shape and that their shoes were the best they could be. My horses are all very well cared for and maintained, but it is crucial for horses to have the best-fitting shoes to support their heavy weight and to prevent possible injuries and poor health conditions.
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- Here is Mike Wildenstein. Along with his years of training and high distinctions, Mike is also in the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame. He has spent more than 40-years as a farrier specializing in heavy horses. Mike says his goal is always, “to leave a horse better off than when I arrived.”
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- The first step is to assess each horse on cross ties, which is when the horse is secured to two ropes or straps to keep it centered, stable and safe. This is Bond.
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- Mike not only looks at the horse’s feet, but the entire body – from the hooves, pasterns, and forearms to the shoulders, withers and hips. He also looks at the movement of the horse as well as how it positions its legs while standing. He looks at the horse’s conformation from a variety of perspectives. Mike says, a horse will provide “certain visual clues that help define what’s going on and how to address it through proper hoof care – observation is invaluable to a farrier.”
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- Mike also checks the flexibility of the joints and the reaction of the horse when simple flexion tests are administered. Aside from a visual assessment, my stable manager, Helen Peparo, also called in my equine veterinarian, Dr. Elizabeth Kilgallon, so the group could look at X-rays and other scans. I wanted the evaluations to be as thorough as possible.
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- Here, my farrier Marc Hill uses a rasp, or a horse-sized file as a straight edge to make sure the hoof capsule is straight. The hoof capsule includes the hoof wall, sole, frog, and bulbs of the heels, which together work to protect the soft tissue structures within the horse’s hoof. Marc, who is an experienced farrier, has worked alongside Mike before, and says he learns something new every time.
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- This is a gas forge – one of the most important tools of any farrier. It is used for heating metal and making it more malleable, so it can be shaped into a horseshoe while hot.
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- Mike uses aluminum bar stock to make this custom horseshoe. He heats it to incandescence in his forge and beats it into shape on an anvil, a large wrought iron or cast iron block.
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- It takes time and patience to create a perfect-fitting horseshoe. Mike constantly tests the shoe on the horse and hammers adjustments as he goes. Here, he is making the holes for the special nails called hoof nails or horseshoe nails that are used to attach the shoe onto the hoof.
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- Here is Mike fitting another horseshoe to see where adjustments are still needed.
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- Here is another view. Horse hooves themselves do not contain pain receptors, so nailing a shoe into a hoof does not hurt. However, what can hurt is an improperly mounted horseshoe. A reputable farrier will make sure any shoe is not only well-made, but well-mounted.
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- Here, Mike places Banchunch’s leg onto a stand so he can file down any rough edges. The black wrapping is just to keep his long feathers out of the way, so Mike can see his hoof.
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- He also files the underside until it is smooth.
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- And here he is explaining to Marc, and his associate Alan Fabius, the improvements that still need to be done on this shoe to make it just right.
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- While he is waiting, Banchunch gets some good scratches. The Fell pony is a versatile working breed originating on Cumberland and Westmorland farms of northwest England and is used for riding and driving. Fells have friendly, playful demeanors, and big personalities. Banchunch loves all the attention he can get.
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- As each shoe is made, it is carefully nailed into the hoof.
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- I called Casey Kaplan, President and co-owner of The Bedford & New Canaan Magazine. I knew Mike’s visit would make a great story. If you’re in this area, look out for it in an upcoming issue. Here is Mike answering some of Casey’s questions.
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- This is my loyal steed, Rinze. He is the patriarch of the stable and is well respected in the herd. Rinze is one of four Friesian horses here at Cantitoe Corners. The Friesian originated in Friesland in north Netherlands. It is classified as a light draft horse, and is used for riding and driving.
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- Here is Mike shaping one of Rinze’s new shoes – still red hot from the forge.
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- Rinze’s shoes include special padding to add extra support and protection for the winter.
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- Here is Rinze with his two new front shoes.
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- Rinze is brought out to see how he likes his new shoes. Mike, Marc, Helen, and the entire group all watch his gait and look for visual cues showing signs of discomfort.
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- Rinze seems to like them – he is walking around beautifully.
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- This is Bond out in the pasture with his new shoes. Bond is also a Friesian. Friesians have long arched necks, well-chiseled short-ears, and Spanish-type heads. They also have sloping shoulders and compact muscular bodies. My pastures are very lush and green with grass, so Bond wears a muzzle to limit his grazing.
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- Before leaving, Mike made me this horseshoe as a keepsake. He is a farrier and an artist.
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- This is a snapshot of Rinze with Mike, Marc, Alan, and apprentice Will Lash. Thank you so much for coming, Mike. And if you have a horse and want to know more about Mike Wildenstein, please look him up online and read his very interesting articles. Mike offers his services as a referral or consulting farrier, working in a hands-on capacity with farriers and veterinarians. It is amazing to listen to him and learn from him.
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