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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2009)
country living november 2009 21 Hobart Horseshoeing: An Old Dog Learns Some New Tricks There’s a new Horseshoer in town. Or, to use correct terminology, a new Farrier. Rick Hobart, who has lived in the Vernonia area for thirty-six years, recent- ly returned, having completed Farrier training in Oklahoma. The oldest member of his class, Hobart has learned a new trade and set up shop here in Vernonia. Or, to use correct terminology, set up a mobile shop in a trailer, which he can bring to your barn or pasture and shoe your horses. “It’s a hard profession, but I like the hard work,” says Hobart about his new career. Many years ago, Hobart came from Ohio to visit his uncle, who was a doc- tor here in Vernonia, and ended up staying. He worked here driving log trucks for many years and spent some time as a meter reader for West Oregon Electric Coop (WOEC). He owned some property out in Mist where he kept a few horses and, over the years, learned about cold shoeing by hang- ing around with the lo- cal farrier. In 1992, just before he went to work ” . you “Thank for WOEC, Hobart had signed up for Far- rier School at Oregon State, but the job offer at WOEC came up and he took that instead. “I withdrew from the Farrier program, and I never did go to school at that time,” Hobart explains. Hobart has al- ways been interested {Lucky you, SPORTY’S is just a short drive away!} in horses and has spent most of life around Hunting, Camping & Fishing Supplies! them. “I wasn’t able to New & Used, Buy, mell, Trade & Consignment. have a horse as a kid, but I walked the polo ponies near where I lived back in Ohio,” he 275 West Columbia River Highway, Clastkanie • 503-728-2712 explains. “And I went Sporty has much to be thankful for... SPORTY’S Come Celebrate... Christmas in Vernonia December 5th-6th Christmas in the Country Bazaar Sat & Sun, December 5th & 6th Vernonia Middle School to several YMCA camps, where I had my own horse for a week at a time. I’ve always loved hors- es ever since I can remember. Then, when I moved out to Oregon and I got my own property, I was able to have my own horses.” About a year and half ago, Hobart, who was semi-retired, de- cided he wanted to Rick Hobart with his mobile horseshoeing trailer. spend some time re- establishing a connection with his parent, so he sold his property in Mist, and moved to Michigan. This past year, he had time and so he enrolled in the Oklahoma State Farrier School, and went back to school at age fifty-seven. “Even though I sold my own horses, I still enjoy being around them, and I still enjoy working with them and shoeing them,” says Hobart. “I decided I would go learn how to hot shoe and cor- rective shoe.” According to Hobart, the Oklahoma State program is one of the best in the nation. He spent six weeks learning new skills. “I really learned quite a bit,” said Hobart. At Oklahoma State, Hobart was by far the old- est student in the program, earning him the nickname of “Pops” with his twenty-year- old classmates. “Even the instructors called me ‘Pops,” laughed Hobart. And now he’s de- cided to open a new business here in the Vernonia area. His small horse trailer is set up to be a trav- eling work shop with his anvil, forge, tools and racks of shoes. “This is really handy for me because it al- lows me to keep everything in one place and keep it se- cure,” he says. Hobart says he really enjoys his new career and running his own business. Inside Rick Hobart’s mobile workshop. “I”m my own boss, and this gives me some flexibility, and I really enjoy working with the horses.” For him, customer service is really important. And he also really enjoys working with his customers to find the best ways to work with their animals. “I do this because I enjoy it,” says Hobart. “I ‘m much more about quality than quantity, anymore. I’d rather be able to take my time and do the job right-- and I’ve learned to do the job right. So when I get done with your horse, it will be done right. It might take me a little bit longer. But I’ll be able to look down and feel good about the job I’ve done.” Want to talk Horseshoeing with Rick? Call 503-707-1049. Lighted Christmas Parade Saturday, December 5th Starts at City Hall, 6:00PM Vernonia's Got Talent! Vernonia Hands-on Art presents the fifth annual Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, December 5th Following the Parade, City Hall Community Variety Show Music, Drama, Dance, and Song! Saturday, November 7 at 7 pm Vernonia Grange Hall – 375 North Street Family Friendly - All ages welcome Cost: Adults $5, Kids - 2 cans of food Music Provided by V.H.S. Proceeds will benefit the Vernonia Grange, Vernonia Cares Food Bank and Vernonia Hands-on Art.
