"I was tired and burned out on regular school," he said, "and I still had a long ways to go. I've ridden all my life. I appreciate good feet, and this sounded right up my alley. You're working hard and working outdoors." Stuart said he knows plenty of farriers back in Kentucky and Virginia who have all the work they want and make a good paycheck, too. The national average income for a full-time farrier is about $79,000 gross, but that does not take into account the expenses of running the business, estimated at 40 percent, or the region of the country. Also, many farriers work part-time.

As Stuart said, "Worst case, it's a hell of a thing to know how to do."

Stuart said he chose MSU's school over others because he wanted a rigorous program, not a short course. Despite the hard work, he said, the school has been "like one big vacation."

Wolfe estimates there are about 40 similar horseshoeing programs in the U.S., many private, some associated with community colleges. Only one other four-year university, Cornell, offers a program like MSU's.

MSU's is well-known for its reputation and longevity. The original Montana Agricultural College taught blacksmithing in the 1800s, but when the automobile replaced horses as primary transportation in the early 20th century, the courses were discontinued. In the 1950s, when the horse population resurged, MSU considered bringing the program back.

After a trial run in 1970, the school was officially started in 1971 by Bob Miller (after whom MSU's horse pavilion is named) and Jack Catlin, a local veterinarian, along with others from the College of Agriculture. Classes were first held at the old pea cannery near Oak Street in Bozeman. The first instructor was Scott Simpson. The second -- and only other -- is Wolfe.

The horseshoeing school is affiliated with MSU's College of Agriculture, but is completely self-supporting, down to the instructor's salary, overhead and supplies. Tuition for the 11-week program is $2,795. Students do not earn a degree or license -- it's not required of a farrier -- though Wolfe said many of his students go on to become voluntarily licensed through the American Farriers Association.

The school's most famous alumnus is likely former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., who attended in 1976. Many of Chafee's online biographies list MSU Horsehoeing School right alongside his degree in classics from Brown University.

Wolfe said MSU's school benefits from the College of Agriculture's veterinarians, as well as relationships with local vets that he has cultivated over the years.

"The school emphasizes lots of lameness things and would bring in a vet every Monday. I really wanted that," said Steve Fontanini, 50, who attended the school in 1985 and is now an artist and blacksmith in Jackson, Wyo.

MSU's location is ideal for a horseshoeing school -- "a good horse anything school," said Wolfe -- with access to an ample population of horses. (Wolfe estimates Gallatin County has an astounding 32,000, or about one horse for every two residents.) Students also tend to the university's herd, as well as horses from Yellowstone Park and local guest ranches.

"Horses are a big part of the agricultural community," said Wolfe. "The school fits well here in the old sense of the Land Grant university."

"The school adds value, is high-quality and complements existing programs," said College of Agriculture Dean Jeff Jacobsen. "The horseshoeing school supports our Land Grant mission to provide education and training in agricultural fields. And with students from around the world, it does wonders for our reputation. It's working very well, and it just feels right."

Wolfe said the school's demographics have changed little in his 25 years of teaching; the average age has remained steady at 31. The youngest-ever student was 17; the oldest, a retired dairy farmer from New York, was 68. About 30 percent are women, up from 15 percent in the early days. Just one in 10 students is from Montana.

Return to regular view	Text-only              Email this article	Published: 5/2/2008