Guest Blogger by The Farrier Himself #3

Howdy, from the creator of the farrier's daughter. The farrier and his wife created the person; not the business, 31 years ago. I like to take credit for my daughter's early exposure to the arts. However, some of the lessons were vivid, painful and accidental!

From about 4-6 years of age Lindsey was my traveling partner. She rode shotgun as we traveled from stable to stable, shoeing and trimming everything from draft horses to minis. She spent her days on the cover of my work truck's service body. She was safely perched, center stage, surrounded by coloring books, Breyer horses and a treat filled lunch box.

Early on she knew the difference between a pritchel and pull-off, a filly and a colt, and a cribber and a windsucker. She also learned that not everyone laughed at Dad's jokes and stories and when a horse bit or kicked, Dad sometimes forgot to say heck, darn, or shoot! She learned that sweat on the ground meant green in the pocket and that green in the pocket meant lunch of her choosing. She knew that an Arab is a breed of horse and an anvil is a heavy, pointy thing you shape shoes on.

We incorporated art education into our schedule as well. We were shoeing on Orchard Heights Road for a unique, colorful, female client named Moonbeam, Starlight, or Rainbow...something along those lines. Her horse was a well behave Quarter Horse Mare with great feet. The chit-chat was flowing under the warm summer sun, and I knew that every month the horse owner had more ink applied to her ongoing tattoo...portions of which were visible on her neck and arms. When I asked how the tat was progressing, she proudly lifted her shirt to show us! It was a dragon or peacock, multi-colored, and extensive...very artsy. Certain items the ink didn't cover, and the gal could care less. Lindsey's eyes bugged out of her head, and I heard the words every father fears, "Dad, I'm telling Mom!" The kid couldn't remember her coat or shoes but took this story home.

Lindsey's exposure to the arts was stimulated and carries on to this day. Oh the punishment a Dad will endure for his daughter's education in artistic expression!