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\n\t\t<\/div>\nBy the time I pulled my car in front of the barn, Gene Fletcher<\/a> had already trimmed three of Sam\u2019s hooves. The farrier finished up and placed the big Belgian\u2019s hoof squarely back on the ground. He moved on to trim up Myrtle, the other Belgian in Ballentine\u2019s barn. Her hooves were two to three times bigger than the average riding horse. One misstep and she could easily break a few toes. I watched as Gene skillfully worked on the huge mare, trimming, filing and balancing her hooves.<\/p>\n\u201cHow\u2019s everything going for you?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot too bad\u2026busy,\u201d replied Gene.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything new?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m going to be a guest speaker this summer at a rodeo in Benton, PA. I’m speaking about a non-profit organization called Hunters for Healing<\/a>,\u201d said Gene.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never heard of them,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey take disabled veterans out hunting to help them heal spiritually. They also provide hunting and fishing equipment and mentors to work one on one with the veteran. I\u2019ve been involved with them for a year. I went pheasant and turkey hunting. Some good memories, next year they are organizing a bear hunt in Canada. I live close to their headquarters and hope to become a mentor for other post 9\/11 disabled veterans,\u201d said Gene.<\/p>\n
Hunters for Healing was founded in February of 2009 to help wounded soldiers returning from military service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The veterans participate in a variety of outdoor programs including hunter safety, clay target shooting, pheasant and small game hunting, fishing and camping. Currently, events are in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The programs present challenges to veterans and provide social interaction with other people to help veterans transition to civilian life.<\/p>\n
Gene moved on to the next horse, he had 4 horses to trim and 1 to shoe. Quickly, he trimmed CJ and Pepper\u2019s hooves moving on to the last horse. Jupiter started out ok, but had a habit of pulling away towards the end of the shoeing job. Gene hammered in the first nails, secured the shoe and crimped off the sharp nail ends.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like being a farrier could be a dangerous job,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a farrier isn\u2019t that dangerous. If the horse pulls his foot out from my hand while I\u2019m shoeing him, the nail causes a problem. Last year, Jupiter did that and the nail ripped a hole straight down the leg of my jeans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell at least you weren\u2019t injured,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot that time, but I have had my calf muscle cut open from a sharp nail. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important for horse owners to work with their horse’s and get the animals used to picking up their feet. It\u2019s when the horse starts acting like an idiot that things can get hazardous,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Gene shod Jupiter. He gathered his tools and returned them to the truck. The morning gathered heat creating a hazy, humid grayness to the sky.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you still have your on-line course?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still doing the course through Alfred State University. I\u2019ve been thinking about doing a horse clinic, but I have to balance my time with the farrier business,\u201d replied Gene.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went to a horse training clinic at Meadowgate<\/a> a few years ago. It was interesting,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re interested, I\u2019m working with a woman and her horse in Burlington, PA. You could come down and watch,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just have to check with the woman to see if it\u2019s ok with her. I\u2019ll call you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll look forward to the call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gene pulled his farrier truck onto Murray Creek Road and headed south for another job. Later that day, I received a phone call from Gene; it was ok for me to come to the training session. I circled May 24th and wrote ‘2 PM meet Gene’ on my calendar. A few days later, I met Deb Yoder and her beautiful Paint, Willow. But that story is for another day and another blog – watch for ‘Training Session with Gene Fletcher – Lunging’ to be released on June 27th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By the time I pulled my car in front of the barn, Hunters for Healing,\u201d said Gene. \u201cI\u2019ve never heard of them,\u201d I said. \u201cThey take disabled veterans out hunting to help them heal spiritually. They also provide hunting and … Continue reading
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