One of the first things I quickly learned as a new horse owner twenty-three years ago involved hoof care. Before learning to ride and before learning to properly feed a horse, I learned how to clean a horse’s feet and check for lameness. Thankfully, God does protect the inexperienced and brought a host of professionals my way to guide my new journey into horsemanship. He still leads the charge as we blindly moved to Fentress County without setting up horse care professionals to meet and greet us. So, my search began.
After probing several people for local horse care information, we found Roy Davis, owner of Ash Gate Forge and a Certified Farrier with the American Farrier’s Association, the same week we closed on our house. He visited us only ten days later to care for our travel weary herd of two. Not only did he provide a good, solid, proper trim for the horses, but he quickly understood each for their quirks in hoof growth as well as self-carriage and personality and took those factors into account while trimming. Our horses have been sound and their hooves strong and solid the entire winter. It is completely amazing considering their sordid past from moving from the coastal plains to the Cumberland Plateau.
Mr. Davis’ strong passion for his work is evident as he strives to be a vibrant proactive member of the two-year-old, local Southern Appalachian Farriers Association and in mentoring his son,
Greg, in the business. This group of knowledgeable people stem from Ohio to Georgia and points in-between including Tennessee. It is a close-knit network of professional farriers who regularly learn and train together as well as support each other in times of need. Greg diligently apprenticed for the past couple years as he works to earn his American Farrier’s Association, AFA, certification. I just know my horses are moving well over less-than-ideal terrain thanks to Mr. Davis, Greg and the Farriers Association.
One of Mr. Davis’ core beliefs involve the saying, “No hoof, no horse.” Horse owners fear the words lameness, unsound and founder. These words bring a horse owner to tears with blubbering phone calls to the farrier and often the veterinarian. Proper hoof health is essential for a long, comfortable life for the horse. In Fentress County, Mr. Davis recommends sensible turnout variant with ground conditions for optimal hoof wellness including good nutrition and regular hoof care. He stated, “…with consistent turnout and a good trim or shoeing, most horse [health] issues can be avoided.”
This article is the first of a two-part series introducing one of the area’s local farriers and the Southern Appalachian Farrier Association, SAFA. Thankfully, Fentress County has access to several great horse shoers and farriers. Mr. Davis is among them.
Next week’s article will explore the importance and role of the SAFA. We as horse owners are blessed to be counted in some of their farriers’ practice area.
