Farriery can be an isolating profession. Horseshoers are often stuck behind a wheel for a good chunk of their time, while others might spend their day alone under a horse. The busyness of routine — another lost shoe, another bill, another day juggling family and work — can easily turn into missing that clinic just an hour away or forgetting to call an old friend to chat. 

Forging community and maintaining a perpetual hunger for learning are vital parts of a farrier’s continued success. Leaning on others is what helps the industry progress together, which is a philosophy Purcell Farrier Supply acts upon. The 2026 Supply Shop of the Year (please see “Purcell Invests in You, So You Can Invest in Yourself”), located in Purcell, Okla., is a beacon along I-35 for any traveling farrier to stop in and say hello. 

“I’m usually not the only guy buying,” says Oklahoma farrier Cole Morgan. “There’s three or four of us in there at one time buying shoes, and then we get in our trucks, and we go our separate ways. But one thing Purcell has done for all of us is allow us to go to the same place and become united. 

“I’ve seen farriers in there that I haven’t seen for a few years, and I got to see them because I had to go over there to buy supplies. I got to see that guy that maybe I worked alongside for a little while, or maybe I knew him from my childhood.”

Supporting Education

Besides offering a friendly face and a good conversation to farriers buying their supplies, the staff at Purcell Farrier Supply are also champions of horseshoeing education. Operating Oklahoma Horseshoeing School (OHS) as well as Oklahoma State Horseshoeing School an hour south in Ardmore, Okla., owners Sylvia and Rebecca Roth understand the value of both education and community. Whether it be by connecting students with mentors after graduation or sponsoring clinics and attending events like the International Hoof-Care Summit or the American Farrier’s Association Convention, Purcell supports the industry. 

Opened in 1973 by International Equine Veterinarian Hall of Fame member Dr. Jack Roth, OHS, and subsequently Purcell, have built a foundation of connection for generations of farriers. Morgan’s father, Hank, has been getting his supplies at Purcell for decades, and should Morgan’s 4-month-old son want to pursue a horseshoeing career, he knows the perfect school to send him to. 

OHS instructor Bryan Clemmer attended the school after driving by one day sparked his curiosity. Soon after, he left a broadcasting career to pursue farriery and hasn’t looked back. 

Honoring the Past, Championing the Future

Walking through the doors of Purcell Farrier Supply, it’s clear to see how passionate the team is about not only elevating the industry but celebrating all those who came before. The wall to the right of the entrance is filled with photos of Dr. Roth, news clippings, his training accomplishments and the Mindanao Forge Co. tool lineup. On the wall behind the checkout counter is a black-and-white photo from a World Championship Blacksmiths competition in 2025 with all of Purcell’s staff in attendance, a photo Sylvia Roth cherishes. 

These are the people who put in the hard work to make Morgan’s career possible. They are the ones who help make the clinics they support possible, as well as events like the International Hoof-Care Summit, of which Purcell is a recurring educational partner. 

A thriving farrier industry is an investment that requires active participation. While isolation may feel easier or a routine too comfortable, people like the Roths, the staff at Purcell and the instructors at OHS will always be there to help you build your community or support your education — to help you thrive.