"Just remember, no foot-no horse. Please, keep an eye on your horse for changes in his/her walking"

RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - A farrier, or in my vocabulary, a horseshoer?   All I knew is that my two miniature horses and one miniature donkey really needed one. My old shoer moved out of state. I put out a need for a shoer on Face Book and I got several choices.  I called up one, we talked and here he is today to trim my animals’ feet. Meet Jake Gibbons. He is an Air Force veteran who turned 19 in Iraq. His job? Bomb ordinance technician.

Why did you go from bomb ordinance to ferrier I asked? Obviously, our military job was not one you could transfer once you got into the civilian world. He said he got out of the Air Force in August of 2017.

Jake continued, "I grew up in Lincoln, CA on a small cattle farm. I took a month off after getting out of the Air Force to let myself unwind but I've always been around horses and always had my own horse so I figured I would just pursue horseshoeing school. It made sense. I graduated shoeing class in Oct 2017."

Now that Jake could make a living he said he wanted to pursue his life-long love with music.

He said, "I was looking for a job that, number one, I would love and two, it would leave my nights free to focus on my music. I looked into Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School. It was located in Plymouth, CA and only an 8 week course. It would cost me $5,000.00 and I received a certification as a horseshoer. Now, I have income that allows me to work on my schedule. I also made a recording studio in an old barn on my property. The name of our band is Outlaws from the Golden State. It is country with a little rock. I write the music and play many instruments. We can be heard through all major streaming services. I'm just waiting for COVID to be over and start touring. That's the great thing about being in horseshoeing, I can set my own hours."

I asked him, "what is something you would like your clients to know and do before you get to their house"?  

"First thing", he said, "was to please be on time. I have others horses after yours." Also, it would be a big help to have your horses haltered and ready. Lastly, please work with their feet before I get there. I am not a trainer."

"That sounds like such a few things you're asking. After all, your time is as valuable as mine and those few suggestions are common sense things. Thank you for doing a great job on my horses. Is there anything else you want to say?"

Jake said, "I have many clients in Rio Linda. My favorite client is the Medicine Horse Project. It is a horse rescue operation that started in Placerville and now is in Winnemucca, NV. They do the nicest things for the rescue horses. I will take a few days once a month or every two months, depending on their need, and drive up and trim their horses for them for free."

I thought, how cool is that!!! I'll be looking them up, maybe even write about them. I am all about animals. I am actually working up an article now on Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue in Elverta.

"Just remember, no foot-no horse. Please, keep an eye on your horse for changes in his/her walking. Don't wait until they are hobbling to call me. I love my clients and have not really come across a bad situation yet," he said.

I then told him that is great to hear, and thanked him for coming out today for my horses. Also, for letting me pick his brain on horseshoeing. That, I will see him again in 6 weeks. Be safe, until next time Rio Linda.

For more information or an appointment call Jake Gibbons at (530) 605-5345.