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NM Horse Shoes: Farrier Finder for Horse Owners in Albuquerque and New Mexico

horseshoes

Yes, Virginia, horses do need shoes!

And, as horse owners all know, finding a good farrier to shoe your horses is not only crucial, but often challenging. It is typical here in Albuquerque to overhear horse owners bewailing the recent retirement of their farrier, complaining about the terrible job their last (bad) farrier did, or asking recommendations for horseshoeing.

You'd think Albuquerque, and New Mexico in general, would be an easy place to find a good farrier. After all, the American Farrier's Association (AFA) began in Albuquerque, back in 1971. Just this past February, the AFA held its annual convention in Albuquerque, hosted by the state's AFA chapter, the New Mexico Professional Horseshoers Association. In fact, Craig Trnka of Edgewood, NM, won the Capewell North American Challenge Cup and the National Highpoint Award, his 5th national championship!

Yet, even here in New Mexico, it can sometimes be difficult to find a farrier who is both really good and currently available! Many fine farriers already have such a long list of regular clients that they aren't taking on any new ones. Others are available only to those needing multiple animals shod.

For those needing a handy reference to local area farriers, the list below may help you get some pretty new shoes for your New Mexico horse!

NameLocationCertification LevelPhoneEmail
Thomas BrowningLos Lunas, NMCertified Farrier228-9362brownin68@yahoo.com
Robert HoltSanta Fe, NMCertified Farrier470-2146
Walter TaylorAlbuquerque, NMCertified Farrier345-6338wfassoc@msn.com
Craig TrnkaEdgewood, NMCertified Journeyman Farrier235-5952cathorseshoeing@aol.com
Diana BrownEdgewood, NM 710-4806
James AnnonSanta Fe, NM 660-2890thoroughbarb@yahoo.com
Kevin GarleyPeralta, NM 866-4884
Mark HallLos Lunas, NM 328-7673nmroper@hughes.net
Posted Monday Jun 04

Thanks. I am not a horse person but I do get people looking for horse property and they will need a farrier once they and their horses get here.

(06/05/07 06:38PM) — Laura Warden

Thanks, Deb. As a horse property specialist, I've tried to have lots of blog articles about resources for horse owners, particularly around Albuquerque.

(06/06/07 08:45PM) — Cowboy Gonzalez

I owned a BLM mustang and I never had to shoe him.  Mustangs are bullet proof.  Haven't you heard "PATONIO"?

I'll tell you a story that will thrill you I know
Of a horse I once owned a long time ago
You will gaze at his picture with wondering eyes
And then at the arrow, that hangs by his side

He was swift as an antelope and black as a crow
With a star on his forehead as white as the snow
His arched neck was covered with a dark flowing mane
And I called him Patonio the pride of the plains

The country was new and the settlers were scarce
The Indians on the warpath were savage and fierce
Though the scouts were sent out everyday from the fort
Yet they never returned and we knew they were lost

One day the captian says someone must go
Across the dark borders of New Mexico
A dozen young fellows straightaway answered here
But the captain spied me I was standing right near

Patonio was by me his nose in my hand
Said the captain your horse is the best in the land
You're good for the ride your the lightest man here
On the back of that mustang you have nothing to fear

Then proud of my pony I answered you know
Patonio and I are both willing to go
For speed and endurance I'll trust in my black
Then they all shook my hand and I mounted his back

Turned down the dark pathway turned his head to the right
The black struck a trot and he kept it all night
When far back behind me I hear a shrill wail
I knew that the Indians were hot on my trail

I jingled the bells at the end of his rein
Spoke his name softly and stroked his dark mane
Patonio he answered with a nod of his head
His dark body lengthened as faster we sped

We were leaving the Indians the story was plain
The arrows fell round us like torents of rain
Patonio he stumbled I knew he was hurt
But still he raced onward and into the fort

I delivered the message then turned to dismount
But the pain in my foot was so bad I could not
The arrow you see hanging there on the wall
Had passed through my foot saddle stirrup and all

With good care and patients Pat and I were soon well
Of his death many years later I will not try to tell
Of all the fine horses I rode o'er the range
The was none like Patonio the pride of the plains

(06/07/07 02:44PM) — Laura Warden

OK, Cowboy, I stand corrected. SOME horses, like your mustang, or many who are never ridden on roads, gravels, rocky ground, etc., may not need shoes. (Some of mine own go barefoot whenever they're going to spend most of the time before the next farrier's visit just hanging out in the pasture.) but most horses, for most riding purposes, need shoes most of the time, so I think the list may be useful, despite "Patonio." 

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