Sorry to hear about the bad kidding, chickenman. I've been witness and party to some horrible foalings, I know how that sort of thing feels. More than I'd like to count!
Money saver and money maker! I average about $65 an hour as a farrier :) I must have a hell strong back because it kills my elbows most of all.
Damn, that's pretty good, especially if it's not killing your back. Do you do equine dentistry as well? I've been reading a good bit about it lately and think back on some horses we've had, how it was done, etc. Seems the art is coming out of the dark ages.
You must have ridden some really fancy horses! I havnt done any real showing since I was just a kid, I do miss it. I don't have the skills or a trainer right now, so no showing for me. Its ok though, I can't freaken afford it anyway Lol!
I started out really small with a killer Welsh pony. I say killer because at any opportunity, Gypsy
would scrape you off her back. Moved on to an Appendix registered Quarter Horse mare, who had to be put down, and I think
that's why my mother indulged me with the first Arab gelding, who was nothing to write home about but had such a sweet temper and especially loved children. His name was Barney (short for Barna-B-Gazi, he was a Polish Arabian with iron sides and pretty much nothing in terms of hot bloodedness) and he was just that--a real Barney. I did have one very good horse, but he was a stallion so he stayed at the trainer's. I made Nationals with him, but didn't place, and shortly afterward I got married, then divorced, and a whole buncha crap led to me never having my own horse again.
Now? There's just no way I could do it, although lots of people have been trying to give me rescued horses. We do live on zoned property, but I just can't do a horse.