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Meet Kelly!

At nineteen Kelly decided to shoe her own horse.  With the help of Alvin Borba she nailed on the first set.  It isn’t such an easy job in the first place but for a young woman – a pretty young woman, respect was the biggest challenge in a world dominated by the male species. 

Her success and reputation as an expert farrier was not built on good looks.  She got down and dirty and entered the arena of competition.  Forging hand made shoes day in and day out, Kelly grew very strong & learned.  She worked/understudied with two local farriers, Dennis Silva and Emil Carre, then set out to see what else the world had to offer. 

Her travels in the quest of expertise took her to Australia (competition) France twice (competition) Scotland where she understudied with the Ferri Brothers and numerous trips to Canada to the well known Calgary Stampede.  In Canada she earned prestigious world class notoriety in her competitions.

It seems though that her voice lowers with a certain reverence when she speaks of her time on the Isle of Man where she studied with 5-Time World Champion Grant Moon. 

All this is very interesting but what benefit does it offer Odom’s Mountain Horse Ranch? 

We horse owners do not know the challenges that are presented at shoeing competitions.  In most cases the horses to be shod have serious issues.  Creating a shoe that will improve health, way of going or save a life is the work handed out.  After the judging, usually a clinic will follow to expand on what was seen.  This knowledge is invaluable to the committed farrier.

Fortunately shoeing our gaited horses is solely directed to enhancing way of going and to protect the feet.  Kelly will be the first to note the overall exceptionally good healthy feet inherent in this breed.  However we are darn particular about the way of going part! 

In the photos accompanying this article you will see smoke billowing up around the horse as the hot shoe is fitted to the foot. The fitting exposes any irregularity between hoof and shoe allowing a tiny shaving adjustment to improve it. 

Many people looking at our horses’ feet notice the shoes appear different than what they have seen in the past.  What they are seeing as they look down are draw clips.  According to Kelly, farriers in the USA are the only ones in the world who do not routinely make them or use them when they shoe. 

Draw clips are simply a part of the metal pulled out from the shoe to create a kind of clamp that fits up onto the foot.  They distribute and reduce pressure from the horse’s movement to assist the nails in keeping the shoe intact.  We find this especially helpful when traveling in steep terrain. 

Draw clips add no weight to the shoe nor change the horse’s way of going.

Tips from Kelly:

          How to find a good farrier?

1.                 Seek a journeyman certified by the American Farrier Association.       

2.                 Consider a farrier who competes, as a person who is growing and learning to better himself.

3.                 Ask your Vet.

4.                 Ask for referrals.

What to do to Help Get the Best Shoeing?

1.                 Provide a level dry area for working ( concrete is best, rubber mats are good too).

2.                 Shade or protection from the elements reduces stress on both animal and farrier.

3.                 Be present and manage you horse.  Good behavior enhances good shoeing. 

4.                 Put fly spray on your horse in preparation.

5.                 Plan to re-shoe every 6 to 8 weeks approximately nine months out of the year.  It avoids losing a shoe that might break and tear the foot.  During less active & cold periods the foot grows more slowly. 

6.                 Keep feet clean.  Excessive exposure to urine and bacteria in the foot will create bacteria that reduces the overall health of the foot.