Horseshoes and Hammer Strikes: Exploring the World of Blacksmithing

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Shoes are fashionable, whether they're for humans or horses. And There was a time when every community had a blacksmith, and their work was focused on utility. Today's blacksmith's still focus on utility and function, but there's also a certain art to what they do. Farriers, the modern-day equivalent of historical blacksmiths, now focus primarily on the craft of horseshoeing. This transition from the all-encompassing role of the blacksmith to the specialized expertise of the farrier marks a significant shift in the industry.

Craig Turnka, a seasoned veteran with 40 years of experience in horse shoeing, sheds light on the evolution of blacksmithing.

"The blacksmith was all-encompassing with agriculture, making plows and various tools essential for farming," says Turnka. "But with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the decline of horses as primary beasts of burden, ferriering emerged as a specialized art."

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