The Texas BBQ Forum

Here is a true story that I'd like to share today. I only wish that I had the word-smithing techs of BOOTS but here goes anyhow.

Back in the days I was fresh out of Pathological Farriers School (aka Corrective Horseshoeing School) and I got a call from my little Brother saying that his Boss's prize and highly insured Roping Horse had Foundered. Then he told me that the Insurance Company was flying in my Hero, the late great Burney Chapman, to try and keep the animal from have to be put down.

While in School, I had learned and studied Mr. Chapmans creation of the Heart Bar Shoe to save Foundered Horses and was excited when my Brother asked if I would like to come up and watch him work. Well, needless to say, I was ready to accept that invitation and did.

We ended up meeting at a Restaurant in Huntsville before going to the Ranch where the lame horse was and during our conversation there at the table I couldn't help but tell him that I had admired his work and studied his process and invention ever since School. I also told him how much I appreciated him allowing me to watch him work and I hoped he didn't mind if I asked a question every now and then while he was working on the founder animal ?

Then the long lanky unpretentious Cowboy, Scholar and Professor said these words that I'll never forget.
"OF COURSE I DON'T MIND, EMMETT. TO ME KNOWLEDGE IS LIKE COW MANURE, IF YOU PILE IT IN ONE PLACE IT IS STILL COW MANURE BUT IF YOU SPREAD IT AROUND, IT BECOMES FERTILIZER AND MAKES THINGS GROW AND PRODUCE "

got a buddy who ferriers horses barefoot
horse foot whisperer
btw.. he's the founder of TexasKayakFisherman - 2000
sent him this post
waiting for a Richard response

looking forward to his reply - - - - if the "HUMANS" hadn't bred the hoof off of the horse, most of them could go barefooted - - - I had the pleasure of trimming some wild adopted donks and mustangs once and my tools got tested real good - - had to resharpen everything afterwards

Talking of horses, I've bred and raced a few, the first trainer I had said to me once about one of my horses who was tied up, I had to walk past the horse from behind, I took a wide berth, the trainer said he won't kick ya, I said I know he won't, I've always kept within kicking distance. I never trusted a horse from behind, I've seen a few near misses when a horse has lashed out when spooked.
Btw. Great story emm, so true as well.

Russ

most idiots get kicked because the animal (because of limited rear vision) doesn't know the person is walking up behind them - - - quick funny: I was showing a friend how to spray his mule with fly repellant because he said she wouldn't stand for it - - - NOTE: I was standing at the front of the Molly holding her halter and gently spraying her when she took her back hoof and kicked the can out of my hand - - - "agile little huzzy" she was

I can imagine the language! Lol

Russ

Pretty sure I heard of Mr. Chapman as a kid, probably because we lived in Midway north of Huntsville when I was in high school back in the late 70s.

And Parts, Believe me I know all about turning manure into fertilizer these days. And also the surprised look on a noob's face when they find out that horse can kick forward as well as back and just as fast. Particularly if you dig in a little too deep with that hoof knife in the frog on the forehand.

Like Sherlock Holmes said, "they're dangerous at both ends and crafty in the middle".

Yo Boots, he was from Counselor's Alma Mater but he flew himself to places that needed him and passed way too soon.
http://www.horse-previews.com/1299artic ... ndies.html

Boots wrote:Pretty sure I heard of Mr. Chapman as a kid, probably because we lived in Midway north of Huntsville when I was in high school back in the late 70s.

And Parts, Believe me I know all about turning manure into fertilizer these days. And also the surprised look on a noob's face when they find out that horse can kick forward as well as back and just as fast. Particularly if you dig in a little too deep with that hoof knife in the frog on the forehand.

Like Sherlock Holmes said, "they're dangerous at both ends and crafty in the middle".

One of my very best friends lives and raised a family in Midway. Do you happen to know Tim Arnold? Big horse guy, rancher etc. His son Ty is the heeler on our world championship team roping team.

outlaw wrote:

Boots wrote:Pretty sure I heard of Mr. Chapman as a kid, probably because we lived in Midway north of Huntsville when I was in high school back in the late 70s.

And Parts, Believe me I know all about turning manure into fertilizer these days. And also the surprised look on a noob's face when they find out that horse can kick forward as well as back and just as fast. Particularly if you dig in a little too deep with that hoof knife in the frog on the forehand.

Like Sherlock Holmes said, "they're dangerous at both ends and crafty in the middle".

One of my very best friends lives and raised a family in Midway. Do you happen to know Tim Arnold? Big horse guy, rancher etc. His son Ty is the heeler on our world championship team roping team.

Sadly, can't say I remember them, they sound like great folks. I only lived there staring my Sophomore year and then moved on when I left for A&M in 1980, back in the days before fuel injection, cable TV, screw tops, aluminum beer bottles and such. They might know our old house though, it was smack on the south side of OSR about a mile west of 21. Two story brick with three dormers facing the road, across the street from Don and Elsie Farris' place, has a red barn out in front now. Some lady bought it and turned it into an even bigger horse place, I think she bought up the surrounding acreage 'til it was over 300 acres.