Ted Klopfenstein

Courtesy of Karen Strang

Ted Klopfenstein is now deceased but Endurance communities in the upper Midwest know his name. He was my mentor and like my own dad. He rode until into his 80s and had so many life stories, there is not room here. He started trimming and shoeing his family farm horses at age 16. His family lost their farm during the Dust Bowl and depression, moving to a work camp and paid the “company man” for their housing.

He knew what it felt like to be down.

On a 250-mile 5-day ride — day 2 I think — his horse flipped stepping in a hole, landing on him and breaking his back. It was a tragic event, but he bounced back after months of healing (now a metal rod in his back). He rode one of my horses on a 25 mile ride after that, needing assistance to get in and out of the saddle, but we made it. Winning best condition.

There are so many stories to tell. In his 70s, he rode in Costa Rica and ziplined for the first time!

He knew the hoof mapping before it was even a “thing.” He was never late. His clients would say he was usually early to appointments. It took awhile for him to open up to my many questions and general interest, but he finally realized I wasn’t kidding! Thankfully! He would be there as soon as he could if anyone had any issues after his work. Often the next day very early!

I was hoping he could have joined me at one of the Hoof-Care Summits, but we never made it. I still have his “home remedies” for treatments hand written by him. I think of him daily. I still trim and shoe my own horses and reset shoes for folks in the area. I was a dental assistant when I met him in my 30s. Now retired. Still working on my beloved horses… you never stop learning in this profession. We miss you, Ted!

— Karen Strang, Columbus, Ind.