What is a farrier? And why not a blacksmith?
In the olden days there were blacksmiths who operated forges, to whom you took your horses to be shod, and who stood around under spreading chestnut trees in slack periods. They also operated a general repair and manufacturing capability to a local farming community. I doubt there is a single general blacksmith left in the country now, and virtually all shoeing is done by farriers who do that and nothing else. Your farrier is crucial: “no foot, no hoss” as Mr. Jorrocks said. Any horse or pony who is ridden on anything other than fields will need shoeing, otherwise their hooves will wear down too quickly and they will go lame. Even an unshod horse needs to be seen regularly by a farrier to make sure that its hooves are trimmed to the correct shape. A farrier is a highly skilled tradesman who has spent many years learning his craft, and when you find a good one hang onto him for dear life.
