Farrier Back

One of the most asked questions I get when I am shoeing a horse is, “How does your back hold up, doesn’t it get sore?”

After 30+ years of shoeing, I have to say for the most part I’ve been blessed with my back holding up. There have been times that my back has “gone out”. And after a few horses in a row, anymore it can take me awhile to stand up. It’s almost as if as long as I am bent over it feels good. And so I can’t really say it hurts, it has just gets stiff.

I contribute a number of factors or theories to why my back is holding up:

• God gave me a certain body type that is conducive to this line of work.
• When I was learning to shoe, my instructor made me hold the hoof in the various work positions without the use of a hoof stand. (thanks Scott!) This helped me to remember to keep my knees bent; like in many sport activities this allows the weight to transfer to the thigh muscle and a more athletic stance for balance and agility in moving when the horse moves. So now that I do use a hoof stand my knees are bent and my back stays straighter.
• I don’t worry about having all my tools with me next to the horse for the whole shoeing procedure. This forces me to stand up, walk to my truck, and change from trimming tools to nailing tools, to clinching tools. I think the standing up and walking even a few steps helps the health of the back.
• On that note, I love to walk in the mornings before shoeing and/or in the evenings. And I really think that has helped.
• I am a big believer in a good chiropractor. And times when I felt bad twinges I would get an adjustment. And mid way through my career I found that a deep massage by a knowledgeable masseuse who understood the connective relationship with muscle, tendons, bones, etc was the best therapy.
• Just recently, I got to thinking about my bed. It is a waterbed and though it is outdated and there are a few things I don’t like about it, I really should give it credit. There is much talk out there now about all these expensive mattresses and how memory foam or your own sleep number contributes not only to a good nights sleep but also to your health. Well, by golly, maybe keeping the ole waterbed has helped!
• Habitually drinking plenty of water even on cold winter days also is one of my theories to a healthy back.

Good thing folks don’t ask about my shoulders, elbow, forearm, or hands because those are what can get to hurting!! And I hate to complain! Of course I call it whining. Let me quickly define:

1. Complain is when you stop doing what you need to do and gripe about it.
2. Whine is when you keep doing what you need to do and gripe about it.