As someone who is just joining the world of horses and horse keeping, something you might be looking to do is to make your own horseshoes. After all, horseshoes can be quite expensive, and constantly buying new ones probably isn't in your best interest.
With that being said, making your own horseshoes involves
intimate knowledge of blacksmithing.
Blacksmithing is a trade that's been around for hundreds if
not thousands of years, and it's what you need to know if you plan on making
your own horseshoes period to that end, today we want to take a look at some of
the best blacksmithing books in existence.
Forging Horseshoes
Written by none other than the American Farrier’s
Association, Forging Horseshoes is the number one resource out there for
farriers and for anybody who is interested in creating their own horseshoes.
Of course, this is the number one most highly respected
farrier association in all of the United States. This means that everything you
read in this book is contextually and factually accurate. What's really nice
about this book is that it's structured in such a way so that both beginners
and experienced barriers can easily find the subjects they're looking for.
There are many fundamental concepts covered, including the
science of hoof health, techniques for forging and fitting horseshoes, and much
more. You'll learn all about basic foraging techniques, horseshoe design,
fitting and adjustment, problem solving, and more.
You'll also learn all about selecting the right materials,
you'll learn about advanced forging skills, and you'll get a good deal of
information about practical application as well. When it comes down to it, this
is likely one of the best blacksmithing books in relation to the barrier world
in existence today.
The Art of Blacksmithing
The Art of Blacksmithing was written by Alex W. Bealer. This
serves as a great introduction to the world of blacksmithing. It's like an
encyclopedic guide to the tools, techniques, and everything else to do with
blacksmithing.
It provides you with a deep dive into all of the most
traditional methods of blacksmithing used before modern machinery came into
play. This is how you learn how to make complex iron gates and simple nails
using nothing but manual labor. Here, you'll also learn about various basic
blacksmithing techniques, such as welding, forging, and finishing.
You'll also learn all about all of the most classic tools,
such as tongs, hammers, and anvils. As far as horseshoe making is concerned,
all of the tools and skills spoken of in this book are relevant on this front.
The Complete Modern Blacksmith
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Written by Alexander Weygers, the Complete Modern Blacksmith
Provide you with an in depth guide into modern blacksmithing. Whereas the
previous book we just looked at was all about ancient and old blacksmithing
techniques, this one takes a different stab at it.
Here, we talk about modern blacksmithing techniques that are
all about how to make tools quickly and easily. It also talks about how to
repurpose old materials for new purposes. What's really cool about this
particular blacksmithing book is that it encourages blacksmiths to be creative
and to reuse resources in a sustainable manner.
Here, you'll learn all about how to make some of the most
important tools required for blacksmithing, including knives, axes, chisels,
and more. If you need to make your own horse shoeing tools, such as custom
tongs and hammers designed specifically for shaping and gripping horseshoes,
then this is a fantastic book to learn from.
A Blacksmithing Primer: A Course in Basic and Intermediate Blacksmithing
Written by Randy McDaniel, this particular blacksmithing
book is a great starter for anyone just entering the world. It's a good primer
for anybody who needs a solid understanding of beginner and intermediate
blacksmithing techniques.
Here, you'll learn all about the most complex blacksmithing
procedures. They're broken down into manageable steps, and you also get clear
photographs and illustrations to make things a whole lot easier.
You'll learn everything from setting up a forge and choosing
the right materials to a variety of complex forging techniques, such as
punching, twisting, and tapering. This book is essential for horse shoeing,
because it provides you with a framework that you need to create horseshoes by
yourself.
New Edge of the Anvil: A Resource Book for the Blacksmith
New Edge of the Anvil: A Resource Book for the Blacksmith, written
by Jack Andrews, it's an in-depth guide that covers everything from setting up
your Smith to finishing forged pieces. It's a really neat book because it has a
lot of theoretical aspects.
It's also pretty big on reflecting on the blacksmithing
craft itself. With that being said, there's also plenty of practical advice
offered. The book provides you with extensive information on methods,
materials, and tools needed in blacksmithing.
You'll also learn all about various techniques including
joining and welding. If you need a technical foundation that will teach you how
to make horseshoes, then this is it. You'll learn all of the most important
hammer strikes you need to know to shape horseshoes properly.
Jessica Wilkinson works as a horse trainer in Oklahoma where she has the pleasure of being around her equine friends every day. In addition to her passion for horses, she likes to write primarily as a means of helping others learn how to better take care of their horses.
