This is the third career for farrier Bill Mayfield of Eagle, Wis.

After a stint in the military, he worked as an engineer for Motorola. He used to sit at his engineer's desk and try to figure out how he could make a living working with horses. Becoming a farrier was the right fit for him — he's been at it for 15 years after serving an apprenticeship. What's the hardest part of the job?

“Right now, it's the busiest season, so I'm working 6 days a week,” Mayfield says.

Horse owners want to get their mounts ready for trail riding or competition in the ring.

“When the weather gets nice, they're doing everything from dressage to jumping.”

Each season presents its own set of challenges, he says.

“In the spring, you've got the mud, then come the flies and in the winter, it's the cold.”

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