An American Tradition by Kathy Greer For generations blacksmiths have provided us with many different ways to shape metal. The main shape was that of a horseshoe. Although blacksmiths are few and far between, they are not a dying breed. In the United States there are four major manufacturers that make horseshoes, Diamond, Nordic, St. Croix, and TFT. The one most convenient for the Texas Panhandle is the Tucumcari Farrier Technologies, better known as TFT. The main reason for shoeing a horse is to protect their feet. Because horses participate in many different activities there are many different kinds of shoes. The various kinds of shoes were developed to help enhance a horse’s performance as well as ease the tension on their feet. An example of this would be the Performance Shoe created by Jim Kieth, a world champion blacksmith. This shoe was designed for barrel horses, roping horses and horses on trail rides. The shoe provides better traction and excellent heel support. TFT also produces another shoe created by Jim Kieth called the Navicular Horseshoe. This shoe is for horses havingnavicular disease, a hoof disease mainly in cutting horses. The shoe provides a rocker toe that reduces the pressure put on the navicular bone. Many horses have been able to return to competition because of this shoe. Another service that TFT provides is a horseshoeing clinic. The clinic will is held in Kennedale, Texas during October. The clinic provides information on how to shoe a horse and the shoes that are available for horses. Although you cannot find a blacksmith in every town anymore, there will always be one around to help with your horses’ needs.