Invictus Farrier Services
Sideroad 10 N N1G 3P5 Guelph, ON, Canada

*copied* The Farrier. Wake up, alarm clock blaring. Push a tired body out of bed, driven by determination, discipline and being of their word.... Coffee in a cup held by a tangling of aching joints and scars. The few moments of peace before heading off to meet an owner, to spend a day of ringing in the ears, aching feet, back screaming. Stand mare you beg as the memory of a close call burns into your brainSharp nails, sharp tools, 1,200lb unsettled flight animals with the strength and precision to change your life with one quick blow. Juggling appointments. Last minute cancelations. Last minute, emergency stops. Ungrateful clients, Gracious clients. Cold hands burn and stick to even colder metal tools, shoes. Heart warmed by young children with questions and a roaring forge. CleanClean. Balance. Shapeshape. Check your workcheck your work. Line it upcheck your workBegin to drive a nailhate the way it’s lined upremove it. Do it againPerfection. Feel a hot breath on your neck. Body tenses, shrug off a bite. He won’t bite you. The owner suggests. Eye roll, know you’d rather not risk it but hide behind a polite face. Deep breath, patience. New client? Scoffs at prices. Demands, demands. You? Meet the demands, to meet the demands again. Take the blame. Differing opinions. Veterinarians, trainers, other farriers... I read online. Striving to do your best. Nobetter than your best. You? Your biggest critic. Watch lives change. Grow with clients, grow with horses. Days of unsettled horses. Angry horses, spoiled horses, jerk-you-around horses, hang-on-your-back horses. Last stop of the day. Few backyard trims. Breath of fresh air. Old horse, 33. No teeth. Arthritic joints from years of tough work, tough demands. He met the demands. He’s tender in his movementsquietly crippled by dull aches. Stands patiently for you, you wait patiently for him. Each joint, slow moving. Slow to give the leg, slow to bend, hard to holdhe tries. A mutual understanding of aching bodies. Quietness. Docile. Peace. A soft voicehe will be euthanized soon. You hold back emotion, swallow a tear. Make a polite comment. Back to work, hide your face. Finish your job. Run your hand down the back, feel a deteriorated body. Say goodbye. Go home. Wake up, alarm clock blaring... Photo by Patricia Drach

Holidays might look a little different this year but that hasn't stopped Eddie from helping decorate his barn!

This summer a client acquired a horse with a chronic severe toe crack who had been previously maintained with conservative and sporadic trimming methods leading to the foot you see here. The mare was acquired in June and we went to work treating white line disease and addressing the leverage at the toe. In 3 short months her hoof had turned around almost completely, growing down strong and healthy. She was a wonderful example of the need for regular hoof care. Keeping her f...eet at an appropriate length, reducing the shearing affect of imbalances, and bringing break over back further reducing the leverage we were able to watch her crack grow out without hassle. She has now left for a big adventure out west and I wish her the best!

Barn Dog of the Week goes to the cleanest and fluffiest barn dog on the planet Wesley!

This big mare came needing protection and a toe capped shoe is just was she was looking for. She had to test them out as soon as she could!

Sometimes you spend your holiday shoeing a big, brave goober. Happy Canada Day!