Conference noted::equitation

    My farrier is not in New Boston but he does travel and is the best
    (in my opinion) around:
    
    	John Casey, Jr. (603)654-6605 (Wilton, NH)
    

    	RE: .1
    
    	Yup, I think John Casey is super too!!  I had him come up to
    	area and he did one of my horses. - good job - seems to know
    	his stuff and I would feel comfortable to do my nags again.
    
    	I use Jack Sullivan from Deerfield NH. and I am VERY pleased
    	with him.  My appy's angles were off on his hind end and he
    	SLOWLY corrected them and - boy, what a difference!!  I had
    	trouble collecting him and all the time I thought it might
    	be me or a conformation problem and it was just his angles
    	that were messed up.  
    
    	Jack also helped me correct a crack problem on my 30 year young
    	nag that another wanted $75.00 to TRY to fix his problem.  I
    	ended up paying Jack $22.00.
    
    	Both men are VERY nice and very helpful.
    
    	Susan

 My Blacksmith, Phil Bordonaro is  moving from Mass to Derry NH.
He is an excellent blacksmith and came recommended to me via Tufts
University.  He needs very much to build clientel in the NH area.
 A number of people I know who own Olympic prospect horses and who are
very particular about their blacksmith use Phil Bordonaro.  Not only is
he an excellent blacksmith but he is also very good with horses, and
charges an average fee.  He is willing to drive distances.  
 He can be reached at (617)683-0352 now.  Or check new listings for him
in Derry NH if you're interested.

--Melinda
 

    Diane Fortier is also a good farrier.  She travels all over New
    Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.  Her number is (603) 627-1554.
   

	I now have three horses shod using Anvil Brand Shoe Company shoes.
I believe they are the best commercial shoes I've ever used. The metal is
top quality, rings like a bell, and they are shaped like a horses foot. I
don't know why, but most shoes are not shaped like a foot and that's why 
your farrier has to spend so much time pounding on them with a hammer.

	At least for draft horses, the Anvil Brand shoes are made in front
and rear styles. Either most manufactures don't know that horses have front
and rear feet which are different or they don't care.

	I'll let you know in the fall how well they wear. 

	Tyke

    Randy Kershner is a blacksmith out of Rhode Island that did his
    apprentice work with Garth Bodkin, and is now looking for more
    customers in the central Mass/southern NH area.  He has worked 
    our horses, and we've been very pleased he does all types of
    shoeing.  Randy can be reached at 401-728-5385.

    Help, please,
    
    My blacksmith is no longer going to shoe horses, need a new one,
    I have read note 97 and the services one, but I was looking for
    more up to date info.  Some noters don't go back to the past
    notes to respond.  I'm located in Chester N.H.  and don't need
    any corrective shoeing.  Any recommendations out there would
    be appreciated.
    
    Thanks.
    
    If you prefer to add to note 97 thats fine.

    
    There is a Diane Fortier out of Bedford, NH, who is very good and
    here prices are reasonable. She is good with horses and very prompt,
    which seems to be unusual for blacksmiths! I live in Weare, NH and
    I believe she travels east as well. If you are interested, I could
    get you her number. 
    
    Linda
    
    PS. This is my first time in this conference, HI to all! :-)
    

	I'm not sure where Chester NH is, but I can highly recommend my
    farrier (he's near Durham): 

			Frank Garbouchian
			(603) 895-6831


	He is very gentle with the critters, isn't rushed, and has done
    an excellant job with my TB (who has typical thin wall/shelly TB feet).

				-Caroline

           I'll recommend Brett Butler. He's been shoeing our horse
    for years. Never had a complaint or problem with him. He lives
    in Derry. He recently got a new number and I'll be darned
    if I can remember it right now. It is listed in the phone book
    though. 
    
              Bob

    
    I have had terrible luck over the past year with blacksmiths!  My
    old one was female, decided to have a baby and gave it up!  My last
    one is going through a messy divorce and has disconnected his phone
    and apparently moved (the general gossip is that he went to Florida).
    
    So,  I too need recommendations!!  I am in central Mass.  The horse
    is in Holden and a real baby. 
    
    Any help is appreciated!     
    
    Thanks!
    
    kathy

    
    	Gretchen Gordon, Weare, NH is excellent! If you talk with her,
    	say 'hi' for me!
    

    I live in Chester, NH, as well.  For years I have been getting Chip
    Orcutt from West Newbury, MA.  He does a lot of horses in the Chester,
    NH area.  He does a real good job and never just slaps shoes on
    horses.  His phone number is 508-363-2067.
    
    Diana

    I also use Chip Orcutt and have for years...we are very pleased.
    

    Thanks for all the suggestions and keep them coming, the list is
    always good to have in the notes file,  I'm going to try Brett
    Butler, he's close and comes with a good recommendation, very
    pleasant to talk to also.
    
    Sharon

OK, I have all the So. NH farrier names... and a few "central" MA.
How about the area in between?  Westford MA, Chelmsford, Groton
and neighboring towns...

In addition to positive recommendations, if you would like
to tell me who you would avoid using, please send me Mail rather than
posting that opinion.  

thanks
carrie 

    I was very pleased with the farrier we had when we lived in NH:
    
    	John Blombach from Hudson, MA
    
    He travelled all around MA and southern NH.  He was very efficient
    (scheduled all appointments himself - you told him how often you wanted
    him to come and he'd call you the day before he was coming,  didn't
    need you to be around to hold horses, etc. since he usually had
    assistants - we were there the first few times just to check on what he
    did and trusted him from then on) and an excellent shoer (on North
    American shoeing team).  He also did the horses like you wanted them
    done, but would suggest improvements if necessary.  Our horses liked
    him, even our "grouchy" gelding.  He also would give you a 10% discount
    if you paid cash!
    
    						Jan

    I also used John when I kept my horse in Princeton, MA.
    
    I loved him.  I had a 16.3+ hand QH gelding that I was showing as
    an A/O hunter and he had some foot problems.  John worked with me
    and the vet to get this horse sound and moving like a hunter without
    putting him on all kinds of drugs.
    
    I would definitely recommend him.  He is great with the horses as
    the previous noter indicatd.
    
    Kris
    

    The farrier I use is in West Newbury, Mass....he does come down
    into the area as I live in Sterling.  We have found him to be very
    good.  Had him for years.  His number is 508-363-2067.  The best
    time to reach him is between 6a.m. and 7a.m. before he leaves for
    work.  He is hard to get but worth it in m openion.
    

    The farrier mentioned in .2 is Chip Orcutt.  I too have been getting
    him for years (about 15), and believe him to be real good.  He can
    be frustratingly slow in getting to you, but he is good about calling
    when he cannot make it.  He does tend to be late.
    
    I do recommend Chip though.  I live in Chester, NH and he covers
    that whole area as well.
    
    Diana
    

    
    
    	George Stanton is an excellent farrier and he is in Pepperell.
        I used him for many years and was very reliable.
    
    	His number is 508-433-2287
    

    
    Try Fred Balawski from Watertown at (617)926-1963.

    I just started using Patrick Reilly for my gelding that 
    has worn shoes all around for years.  He does do correct-
    ive shoeing and HE suggested I let my horse go barefoot 
    for the winter instead of shoeing (hey, less money for
    him).  This has been unbelievably great for my horse!
    He had slowly been developing contracted heels, not 
    any more!  
    
    Patrick really watches the horse travel before and after
    trimming.  We will go back to shoes once I start eventing.
    I really like the way he handles my horse and would say
    that his prices are reasonable.  He is from the Epping
    NH area but travels into MA.  His number is 603-679-8456.
    
    *Marti*

    I only have 1 horse, so getting a shoer to come to my barn was
    one difficult feat!  (pun intended!)  (They just didn't show up!)
    
    I have been using Ken Dalto, 508-690-2176 out of E. Bridgewater,MA.
    
    (I live in Middleboro, MA) He's been shoeing for about 10 yrs.
    After working with him on the first couple of shoeings, I am very
    satisfied with his work.  My horse requires a minor corrective shoe
    on the front hooves.  He answers questions, is good with horses,
    and is PROMPT!  His rates are reasonable, my last bill two weeks
    ago was $40 for trim/new corrective up front and trim back.
    I don't know what his travel restrictions are.  His business card
    says he specializes in "Special Shoeing".
                                                                       

    
    I need a blacksmiths phone number for Mass..either John Blombeck (sp)
    or Dave Alsipedi (sp) if someone has it, it would be great
    
    Thanks

	John's phone number is: (508) 568-0257

    Daves' number is 343-0781 in Lunenburg Ma.

    
    thank you both very much!
    
    Louisa

    In need of a black smith in the Chelmsford area... 
    
    

    Chip Orcutt from West Newbury will go to the Chelmsford area.  I have
    been getting Chip for 15 years and have always been satisfied with his
    work, although he can be late in arriving.  His phone number is 
    508-363-2067.
    
    Diana
    

    Hi,
    
    Does anyone know of a blacksmith in the Townsend/Ashby/New Ipswich area
    that will come out to shoe only one horse?
    
    Thanks,
    Beth
    
    

    to .32, try Bruce Fenton; he lives on the Townsend/Mason line -
    	Mason Rd., Townsend - and is in the phone book. I use him
    	and think he's GREAT! So does my instructor.
    
    Good luck,
    -j
    

Just to preface this, I have no experience at all with this person so I don't 
know how he is as a farrier, but his wife sent me some info:

		Gary E. Bliven
		6 South Street
		Franklin, MA 02038

		(508) 528-2215

		His ad says:

			"Horseshoeing and trimming"
			"Corrective work and forge work"

    I've recently had someone recommend Steve Papoojian as a farrier. 
    Anyone familiar with him?
    
    -ellie

    IS IT ME.....or do other people have trouble with Farriers showing up.
    When we make an appointment at 4:00 p.m. and I have to leave work to be
    here on time..I'm always there and I don't mind waiting.  But when they
    don't show at all!!!  I am going on my 5th farrier....the last one
    didn't show, called and said he was running behind and he could come
    the next day or Saturday and to leave  message on his answering machine
    as to my availability...I called left several times when I'd be around,
    hung around the house for 2 days and still no farrier!!!!!
    
    What is it? My horses are not hard to shoe.  I'm really frustrated, I
    can't tell you how many times I've not been able to ride because of
    this problem.  My mare is 4 weeks overdue for shoes...her fee are so
    long I'm afraid if I ride I'll strain tendons!!!!
    
    If you've got a good farrier I'd love to hear his name.  Ellie, I've
    used Steve P.( my gelding was tripping alot in the woods) and I changed 
    to Scott Chandler (the one who didn't show, or call).  I'm so desperate 
    I've resorted to a farrier who lives in my neighborhood, who I haven't 
    heard to much about.  
    
    Anybody know of anyone who would teach my husband!!!!
    
    Can't wait for new shoes so I can ride again.
    
    Caryl
    up).  th

    Where do you live? 
    
    When we were in NH, we had that problem until we started using John
    Blombach who lived in Marlboro MA at the time. He always showed
    up.(Well once his truck broke down and he didn't).
    
    He's a good shoer. We never had any soundness problems that could be 
    blamed on the shoer. In fact in the 7-8 years we used him, I don't even
    think we lost a shoe! But that was luck as much as good shoeing.
    
    John was on the AFA farrier team a couple times and competed in some of
    the international contests.
    
    I might even have his number SOMEWHERE...
    
    John

    Where are you? 
    
    Ive had this problem in the past with several farriers, and tried
    several different ones for that very reason, until I connected with
    Brett Butler. He works out of Derry (or is it Londonderry?) NH, but
    travels a great deal. Not once has he pulled a no show, and when he's
    going to be more than a half hour late or so (which is rare) he calls.
    I find him VERY reliable, and even more importantly, very competent.
    I have no complaints at all with his work, his manner, nothing. And his
    wife used to be a Deccie, too! :-)
    
    Good luck, I can understand your frustration!
    

    
    	I use Gary Shults out of Upton, MA and he is ALWAYS there 
    	when he says he will be. Half the time he beats me to the
    	barn! He's very reasonably priced, too. (508) 529-3792.
    
    	Sherry
    

    Dennis Daubney is my farrier.  He's always on time and is great with
    the animals.  He may charge more, but he's worth every penny.  He's
    always going to seminars and the like to keep up with the latest and
    greatest.  He's known for corrective work.  He is also referenced many
    times in this string.
    
    Michele
    

    I'm in S. Chelmsford...I've got someone coming Friday at 5:00.  I'm
    going to check him out.  If I like I may try for a while.  He says he
    shoes even if no-ones home and leaves a bill.  But first I want to make
    sure he's good to my horses before I let him alone.....
    
    I'll definitely keep the names given...or future use.
    
    Thanks a great deal!!!!
    
    Caryl

    
    Caryl,
    
    i too had the blacksmith blues.  my horse (check in previous notes) is
    one step above being crippled.  the poor guy has bone spavins,
    collapsed heels, and the beginnings of navicular.  ingrid and MSM keep 
    him 100% sound.  unlike the 5 previous farriers that i had.
    
    my friend's horse had an abscess in her foot.  this was no minor
    abscess.  it was a gaping whole.  it wasn't until ingrid took off the 
    shoe that we knew about it.  she handled the situation so well 
    that the horse never got lame and is completely well now.  (the horse
    showed no sign of being lame because the abscess was air tight between
    a pad and packing. it was created from a previous farrier's quicking a
    year or more previous and my friend letting lady's feet get too long.)
    
    she has never blown us off AND she is usually EARLY!  her schedule is
    quite unique, and therefore it is difficult to get her.  but if you
    leave a message on her answering machine, tell her i sent you, and that
    you have an emergency situation, i am pretty sure she will call you
    back and fit you in as soon as she can.
    
    her name is ingrid grenon.  she lives in franklin. her rates are
    reasonable for sure -- especially for the quality of work she does --
    i'd pay alot more for her if she asked for it, but don't tell her that.
    i can't say enough about her.  i know her mostly from being a
    theraputic blacksmith, but she certainly loves to get those horses that
    wear straight shoes and that have no problems.  ask her about the
    quarter horse at the wrentham state school where she use to work before
    they closed the farm program. i only know of success stories of her.
    if you can get her, and she will take on additional client -- you will
    not regret it.
    
    if you want her number, send me mail.  
    
    t

    
    
    	We lived in North Chelmsford - I had the hardest time
    	find a farrier - finally got one that would come down from
    	New Hampshire - but, he said our house was the farthest
    	he would go.. 
    
    	I use to get so mad.. Like my time is worth nothing!!!!
    
    	One time he came in the dark - I have no lights and a barn
    	with no electric. - He said well I showed up.. @#$!@#$!#$
    
    	Donna

    
    No one has mentioned Dianne Lemmon's name as a blacksmith.  Diane is
    from Ipswich but she comes into Bolton/Berlin area on Tuesdays and
    Thrusdays.  Her nuber is 508-356-0791.
    
    Diane has NEVER been late in the 1yr I've had her.  Her price is
    allwasy the same and if your horse tosses a shoe, she comes right
    out and puts it on for FREE!  She has a great manner w/ horses and
    people!  
    
    Louisa

    
    
    
    	I Been having numerous problems with my Farrier Ken Bark out
    	of Dunbarton.  I have called him at least 25 times left messages
    	not one of them returned.. So I though he is blowing me off 
    	because we have a apppointment on Saturday - Never showed.. 
    
    	So I am in the market for a another farrier.. 
    
    	Any one now a farrier in the Westford area?  I would 
    	prefer that he does hot shoeing.. 
    
    	thanks
    	Donna

    
    
    	I know that some of you have Ken as a Blacksmith, just
    	incase you see him could you please have him call us.
    
    	Thanks.. Bunches
    	
    	Lady has been with a front shoe fhor 3 weeks

    
    
    	Found a farrier,,.. Can anyone tell me anything about him?
    
    	Dave Edsmon he's from pepperal - he says he does tennessee 
    	walkers in Hopkinton.
    
    	Thanks
    	Donna

I do not know Dave Edmonds, but I have 
quite recently heard both a good review from a regular customer 
of his,  and an unhappy customer story, so I'll send details 
by email. 
--carrie 

    
    
    	Just so everyone knows Ken Bark called my husband back last
    	night to tell us he was dropping us as a customer (he wasn't going
    	to call back at all but, friends had him call from their house)
    	
    	 - he has recently picked up a 16 horse barn and is in the process
    	of dropping his smaller customers.
    
    
    	I am in the process of trying to find another farrier- does
    	any one know anything about Ed Vochel?  
    

    I am looking for a place that sells blacksmith supplies, specifically
    shoes.  I need to find aluminum mushroom bar shoes, I usually buy 
    shoes etc. from Big D's but they said they have had trouble getting
    these shoes.  Does anyone know where I could try to find these?  I
    will be calling my blacksmith tonight to see if he can get them
    through his regular supplier.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Linda

	The Saddle Shed in Grafton, MA sells farrier supplies - and
	you can go in and browse, if you want. They're just beyond the
	blankets in the English (as opposed to Western) half of the store.

	I don't have address or phone, but they usually have an ad in
	the Pedlar, and their phone is probably listed.

	-julie

    Hi Linda,
    
    You might also want to try "Horseshoes Plus" in Barrington, NH
    ask for Bruce or Jackie.
    
    
    say Hi to Gregg for us!
    
    Cheryl

    
    You can also try Hughes Horse & Rider Supplies, Canton MA.
    
    they carry farrier supplies - 828-1681

    Hi,
    
    Does anyone have contact information for a NH blacksmith,
    Ted DeRoche (not sure of last name spelling)?
    
    Thanks,
    beth
    

    Most of the replies in this string are awfully old - does anyone
    have any current recommendations for farriers in NH?  I had used
    the same fellow for the past 7 years, but can't find him and am
    desperate for shoeing in the next week.  Has anyone heard of/used
    Gary Shatney out of Bedford? I had an appointment with him Sat,
    but he had an emergency and rescheduled for last nite.  Last nite
    he hurt his back and rescheduled for this coming Saturday.  I
    *must* be visited before July 29, and while Gary sounds great on
    the phone, I've yet to get him to the house.  In case he doesn't make
    this weekend, I'm compiling a list of names to call when all-out
    panic hits next week.
    
    Thanks!