Jim Keith never intended to be a farrier, but he didn’t let that stop him from becoming one of the best to ever do it. The International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. He was 84

Keith started shoeing out of necessity. Simply put, you had to shoe the horses you rode because there were so few farriers in eastern New Mexico. Barely 17 years old, he went to work on a ranch near Tucumcari. Shortly after, though, he landed the job he really wanted.

“The Bell Ranch sent word that they had a place for me,” he wrote. “The next year, I was admitted to Texas Tech, but the ranch manager offered me a small raise in pay if I would stay on.”

The offer was enough to persuade Keith to remain at the Bell Ranch and stoked his love for the rodeo.

“The rodeo bug got me good,” he wrote. “I started dozens of 3-year-old colts for the Bell Ranch, most of which would pitch, paw or otherwise fight back. I won the bronc riding at the first rodeo I entered and thus began my obsession for the next several years.”

If you spent any time discussing hoof care with Keith and you’ll quickly realize the gift he had for teaching. He earned his teaching certificate while working as an electrical lineman and shoeing part-time in a four-state area. Keith was instrumental in the creation of the Mesalands Community College Farrier Science Program, teaching…