It is one thing to work around horses, it is another to work under them.
Watching a blacksmith forge a horse’s shoes, shaping and nailing them into place can be an engaging experience and if you want to see how some of the best farriers practice their trade, you are invited to check out a day of forging at Tiger Lily Farm in Errington on Sunday, April 1.
It may be April Fools Day but it’s no joke that a bunch of farriers are getting together for a day of fun and practice.
Jackie Mercer, who grew up on Tiger Lily Farm, has been a farrier for about seven years. She organized the event with Shane Sampson and said it isn’t a clinic but rather a gathering for blacksmiths to share ideas and the public is more than welcome to come out and watch.
Among the farriers on hand will be Iain Ritchie Canada’s top farrier and Marie Leginus from the Canadian National Team.
Mercer said both farriers are the top in their field and it is an honour to have them demonstrate the ancient art of blacksmithing.
Mercer enjoys hammering out a livelihood making horse shoes and said there is great camaraderie among the people in the trade.
This week on the farm, Becky McCreesh dropped by with her propane forge, anvil, hammer and the other tools she uses in the trade to hone her farrier skills before heading to Old Alberta for the American certification test.
The forging on Tiger Lily Farm will go from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday, April 1. While at the farm, check out the new equestrian centre. The covered riding arena was completed in September and is now used for horse shows and fun events like horse soccer which takes place on Wednesday evenings.
Easter activities on the farm go Friday, April 6 to Monday, April 9 and include a hay maze, basket making and an Easter egg hunt.
The farm is located at 1692 Errington Road. For more information phone 250-248-2408.
