Phil's just playing around! I just hope he doesn't act like a deer in headlights on the 15th!

Phil, I've got a feeling Craig's going to look at the whole horse and make sure what ever he does to the foot he works on will be what's best in his eye's for the horse. Yes Craig's a very good blacksmith but some of the work I've seen of his on horses is very good also. He's not coming up there to make a shoe with a toe clip and just stick it on a horse and see how it turns out. I'll bet his trim will be fairly good and what's best for the horse in his eye's and then will fit an excellent toe clipped shoe to that foot. Your veiw of what's going to happen doesn't sound like you believe anything but your way works. Also I hope the boot remark was a joke because if it's not, that's another cop out or back down when the challlenge hits the fan. Best thing to do is make sure they have a horse with good enough feet that what you said is not an option. Be prepared bud, it's going to get real interesting.

Anybody want to buy a truck full of Popcorn that was intended for "The Match?" Dancing girls extra!

Phil, if it wasn't a joke, then it just makes it look like you are backing out of another challenge by saying the feet are to bad to work on. Yes I have done that if it's what's best for the horse at the time. What I'm saying is that this is a challenge between two farriers who are to SHOE a horse and see what results they get. If they pick a horse that can't be shod, then what's the point of the whole thing? The horse needs to have messed up feet but not so bad that you can't shoe them. That would be a huge waste of time. As I said, I hope you go through with this and do a good job cause that's what Craig will most likely do. Besides, who get's to decide what's right and what's not? Who ever chooses the horse needs to pick one right for the job, then after you guys do the work, some of the right or wrong will be decided for that horse. Again, it should be fun to watch.

I will distract the eye with a nice finish.

Why not? About time people stop only attending blacksmithing clinics and learn how to be a farrier. What is all this fascination with fire and sparks, ringing hammers? Learn how to see the whole horse and give the animal what it needs to efficiently do its job with minimum stress on the body. Horse owners are learning the difference and an artist without any science will be hurting for buisness.

Great-on -ya-Phil!! You got this stuff all figured-out! Please post your thoughts, after Craig takes you, to School !!

He's stated more facts there than you have in a longgggg time. I don't understand how you can have certain certifications and be a fan of toe clips, brain f a r t maybe????

do you think this horse is bad with toe clips?

and there´s a reason why medial heel is bit longer. do you know why?