Watched a master farrier tack on a shoe in 8 minutes flat last Saturday

I was at a clinic in rural Ohio and an older farrier set a shoe on a big draft horse in under 8 minutes. No rushing, just smooth movements and every hammer strike landed perfect. After struggling with a tricky hind foot on a mare myself, I asked him about his approach. He said the key is reading the hoof wall before you even pick up the rasp. Has anyone else realized they spend too much time thinking instead of watching first?

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kaip114mo ago

Watched a master farrier work for years and the best ones always look twice before lifting a tool.

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patp794mo ago

Yeah, "look twice before lifting a tool" really sticks with me. It's kind of like how the best mechanics I've seen will stare at an engine bay for a minute before touching anything, or how a good cook reads a recipe three times before adding salt. That pause is where the real skill is, I guess.

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