Volume 2, Issue 3 / October 2001
Orange County Fair Report The annual Orange County Fair Forging Contest saw many competitors and good
weather the last weekend of July. In Friday's clinic, Kirk Caudle covered a variety
of subjects and demonstrated techniques for the next day's shoes. We
took a break for lunch and at the end of the clinic there was a fund-raising
auction featuring many handmade items generously donated by VHA members. Thanks
go out to Scott mad Melinda Collier for organizing this event and hosting the
clinic at their home shop. Here's how the contest turned out:
Intermediate Handmade - Division II - Champion: Patrick Boone, Reserve: John Kern
Advanced Open Handmade - Division III - Champion: Denny Pickenpaugh, Reserve: Roy Amaral
Life Lessons from Farriery One of our most brilliant and multi-talented Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin is well known for his many wise sayings. In 1733 he wrote his Poor Richard's Almanac under his pen name "Richard Saunders". The almanac was very successful and for the 25th Anniversary issue, Franklin included an essay entitled "The Way to Wealth" in which the following tribute to farriery (and hence, careful, hard work) is included: "And again, he adviseth to circumspection and care, even in the smallest matters, because sometimes a little neglect may breed great mischief; adding, for want of a nail the shoe was most; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy; all for want of care about a horseshoe nail." Now, we may not have so serious a consequence if we overlook a nail, but the point is the same: attention to little details makes a difference. For other inspiring and relevant wisdom for business and daily living, be sure to find a copy of "The Way to Wealth."
The Venerable Eddie Watson When I went to the Caudle Clinic, I saw him there appropriately enthroned in a plush brown recliner. When he got up during the break, I saw the sign: "reserved for Eddie Watson" and I thought about this venerable man. Venerable: it's not a word we use often, but it sure fits - it means "worthy of respect". All other facts aside, who couldn't respect a man who is still shoeing at seventy-four? On days when I wonder how long my body can stand this work, I think of Eddie and I work on. I'm not a familiar face to Eddie Watson, but every time I've stopped to ask him a question or get some advice, he was always ready with some wisdom and a smile. Born in Barboursville, Eddie Watson started shoeing on his father's farm in Albemarle County. I didn't get the time frame on the period, but he's been shoeing for pay since 1948 and shoeing full time since 1962. When I asked what advice he had for farriers, he said: "become a horseman before you become a horseshoer." And Eddie should know - he spent years riding for and managing Hunter-Jumper stables. These days he mostly does therapeutic work although he has used key shoes for regular work. Eddie says that today's key shoes are much better than the "Phoenix" keg shoes he used to use in the early days. Even if we use keg shoes, Eddie recommends that farriers learn how to make shoes from scratch so they can accurately shape the keg shoes. Before shaping the shoes however, he says that a good trim is most important. Although our talk was short, I'm glad that, through the VHA, I have access to the example and encouragement of farriers like Eddie Watson.
Caudle Clinic Notes Kirk Caudle has been shoeing since 1977 and competing since 1985. His expertise is well known in the national and international farrier community. About 50 attendees showed up for his clinic at Scott Collier's shop on the weekend of the Orange County Fair. As Kirk shared his expertise with us, be urged us to share our knowledge with each other and avoid competitively keeping "trade secrets". When we share knowledge, both the teacher and the student gain in the exchange and our horses and their owners benefit as well. I good trim is the first priority according to Kirk, followed by an equally important awareness of our tools. Matching the size, weight, and shape of a tool with the purpose and frame of the user is important. To avoid elbow injury and to improve accuracy, he recommended developing an awareness of our stance and swing to gain maximum power without injury to joints. For best results, Kirk says to keep everything centered: your body, the anvil, the work and your swing should all be in line. Demonstrating the importance of knowing your tools, Kirk showed us some examples of damaged tools, such as a pritchel with a barely visible cold fracture. Basic shoeing doesn't have to be "rocket science" Kirk reminded us. He recommended we follow the example of our most experienced members and told us about a sign he saw in Eddie Watson's shop that taught him the lesson: "work smarter - think". During the clinic Kirk demonstrated tool re-forging and made several sets of shoes according to contest standards. He also shared with us the subtle differences between American and European techniques. His central focus for the clinic was to practice close observation and awareness of your tools, techniques and what is happening with the metal. Kirk said that there are many theories about which tool or technique are best, but each of us should find what works for us in our particular situation. Rather than look to copy someone else's work we would be better off looking for consistency in our own. Thanks for a great clinic Kirk! |
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