You can't live in the past, but that doesn’t mean that a shoeing organization should turn its back on those who first forged it.

The Iowa Professional Farrier’s Association (IPFA) has found a way to honor its founders that also helps ensure that current members can keep drawing on their expertise.

Jeff Ridley of Leighton, Iowa, the current president, says the Iowa organization recently honored its four founders by naming them lifetime honorary members. Leroy Calvert, Patton, Iowa,  Dick Harris, South English, Iowa, Bob Urich, Des Moines, Iowa, and Ray Legal, Janesville, Iowa, received plaques during the organization’s spring clinic.

The four are credited with founding the IPFA on Jan. 26, 1985, and are well-known for being willing to share their shoeing expertise. Harris is also a member of the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame.

There’s more to the recognition than plaques, according to Ridley. The honorary memberships keep those members on the organization’s rolls and allows them to participate in all activities without having to pay annual dues.

That can be a nice perk as members retire from their shoeing careers. It also lets younger members continue to interact with the older members and continue to benefit from their knowledge.

That Tool You Just Had To Try

There’s an old adage that says artificial fishing lures sold at bait and tackle shops aren’t designed so much to catch a fish as to catch a fisherman. The same thing seems to be true of certain farrier…