John Boyne, Dublin City, Ireland

Deceased

As a sixth-generation farrier, John Boyne was able to finish school at age 12 in order to begin his apprenticeship under his father. Boyne and his father had a city-center forge where they mainly shod heavy working horses for local firms including coal merchants, fruit and vegetable providers, public transport carriages and other such vehicles of the 1950s-1970s.

At 19, Boyne joined the farrier team of the Royal Dublin Society (RLD), famous for the annual International Horse Show. By 23, he was head farrier and remained so for 40 years. All horse sales and transports went through RLD previously. He also worked for other clients, including the Irish Army Equitation School shoeing a showjumping team, Tattersalls Sales shoeing high-priced horses for auction, University College Dublin Veterinary School shoeing patients and many studs and riding schools.

As Dublin became more industrial, phasing out the horse, Boyne opened another forge in Wicklow and was asked by the Irish Horse Board to train young farriers. He trained 17 apprentices, including Seamus Brady, a long-time U.S. Equestrian Team farrier and fellow member of the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame, and mentored many more. His advice was sought by more than just young farriers. As an avid horseman, Boyne was the trusted counsel that many sought when buying a horse.

In addition to the business side of him, Boyne had a playful side with charm and charisma.

“He was a well-known storyteller and a man at home with all kinds of banter,” says his son John.

As Boyne grew older, John took over most of the shoeing. Boyne and his son became agents for Kerckhaert Horseshoes in Ireland. This kept Boyne very involved in the farrier world, as he learned new techniques and innovations. He also maintained a network of farriers and horse owners across the world that he stayed in contact with until he passed away after a short illness on Aug. 15, 2009.

Read his contributions to AFJ here:

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