Another Visit by the WGF

World's Greatest Farrier, that is. I've written about Mr. Jaime Osbrink many times, and I am sure you're sick of hearing about him, but reliable, friendly, and competent farriers can be hard to find.

Jaime at work while Speedy waits patiently.

I only get to see Jaime face to face twice a year if I am lucky. My boys both love him so much that they stand rock solid the entire time he works. They don't need me there to hold them. This means that he comes to do his wok while I'm at work so I never get to actually talk to him about how my boys' feet look. He always sends photos or texts letting me know that all went well, but a face to face is a lot more fun.

I get to watch Jaime work during summer break and Christmas break if the timing is right. He last did my boys just before school let out, and he's due back on the first day of school, so Tuesday was my one chance to visit with him and watch him work.

Jaime is an excellent farrier. He's one small step away from achieving Journeyman status with the American Farriers Association, the highest level of certification that the AFA offers. He now has his sights set on the European Federation of Farriers Association.

Our visit consisted of how his girls (actual children) are doing on the rodeo circuit, how my boys (equine) are doing in dressage, and how his golf game is progressing (it's coming along he says modestly). We also talked a lot about the barefoot movement. No, I am not going that route, but I enjoy hearing what he thinks about it. He's quite knowledgeable and strives to stay current with the latest research and techniques. He also competes in shoeing competitions as he's quite confident in his work. He stresses that everything he does is always for the good of the horse.

I sure hope that my boys are due again in late December, or this will be my only real visit with my farrier. I may not see him again until next summer. Two hours and some watermelon slices just wasn't enough face to face to last an entire year. I might have to "lose" some shoes to get him back here when I have a day off.