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A local hoofs it around the Point

Josh Matthews has filled a void for the Point Roberts horsey set by hanging his shingle as the Point’s only farrier.
A farrier provides an indispensable service to horse owners by trimming hooves and replacing horseshoes, which should be done every six to seven weeks according to Matthews. He starts by removing old worn shoes, trimming and cleaning the hoof. “Then you see the shape of the hoof and start to shape the shoe,” Matthews said. Using a propane forge, an anvil and a hammer, he pounds the new shoe to a custom fit and then heats it red hot before burning it onto the hoof. “It makes for a better fit and it doesn’t hurt them. Hoof is like nail,” he said. Some horses don’t wear shoes but will still need regular hoof trimming.
The shoe is then nailed on and Matthews moves on to the next hoof. He can shoe all four hooves in an hour or two, depending on the horse’s experience and temperament. “It depends how the horse is used to it,” he said. “Some of them just lift their feet when you walk up while others…” Matthews began an informal apprenticeship to a Delta farrier three years ago and got on the waiting list for the nine month farrier training course offered at Kwantlen University College in Langley, where he learned horse shoeing, horse husbandry, equine anatomy, and gates and forge work. Having completed the course in June, he has just started his business here in Point Roberts and hopes to eventually expand to other areas in the county or into Canada. With the horse population close to 50, Point Roberts could keep him busy.
Matthews said being a farrier gave him the things he was looking for in a career ­ outdoor work, variety, independence. “I also like horses,” he said. “You have to or you’ll have a tough time.” And do horses like him? “As far as I know,” he laughed. “They haven’t beat me up too bad so far.” Matthews can be reached at 945-0350.

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