Much of that credit goes to Wolfe, whom students say brings that rare combination of professional expertise and the ability to share it with others.

"He's the nicest, coolest guy," said Stuart, the student from Virginia. "He knows so much stuff.he knows tons about shoeing horses and about horses in general. He knows stuff that 80 to 90 percent of farriers don't know."

Carl Jolliff, a professional farrier in Bozeman, attended the school in 1988. As a local, Jolliff said MSU's school seemed an obvious choice, but he also based his decision on many recommendations for the program.

Jolliff originally signed up because he wanted to learn to shoe his own horses, but ended up making it his career.

"Tom is a great teacher," said Jolliff. "He took me from knowing nothing to the point where I could run my own business."

Fontanini concurred, crediting Wolfe with teaching him the skills he uses in his own business, Steve Fontanini Blacksmith, as well as how to be a good teacher himself.

"Tom is friendly and funny and enjoys what he's doing," said Fontanini. "He talks about it, then leaves you alone to let you do it."

Fontanini said that as a student, he enjoyed the MSU program so much that he would often stay working at the forge until 9 or 10 at night, ordering pizza delivered to the barn.

Brigitte Malessa traveled from Colorado to attend the school in 1999. Now working full-time as a professional farrier in Denton, Colo., she said, "(Choosing MSU) was one of my best decisions so far, and I would do it 10 times over. The course is the perfect blend of classroom time, forgework time and actual shoeing time, all of which are vital.

"Even 10 years later, I am confident that MSU's program -- mainly because of Tom -- was the best start I could have made as a farrier.

"His vast knowledge of, and experience in, farriery and forgework make him a natural teacher," added Malessa. "His lectures were packed full of information, but also chock-full of fun, anecdotal examples that made things stick. I have been exposed to some incredible clinicians since leaving MSU, but still never inspired in the same way that Tom inspired me."

That Wolfe is a natural teacher seems obvious, even to a casual observer. He treats the students with warmth and respect, and genuinely delights in their accomplishments.

"It's hard for all of them at first," said Wolfe. "No matter how much experience they have, it can be frustrating for them, and frustrating for me. But, without exception, they get thrilled when it all comes together. The joy is almost childlike, and seeing that come together is still really exciting. It's why I keep coming back."

Instructor Tom Wolfe teaches students of the MSU Horseshoeing School how to sharpen the files used on horses' hooves.

See the Web Exclusive: Instructor Tom Wolfe at MSU's Horseshoeing School

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