Farrier Services and Blacksmithing Products and Training with Dan Verniero.   Dan believes that proper care of working animals hooves, and a basic understanding of forging, are necessary skills on any sustainable farm   Dan Verniero began shoeing horses when he was 15, and at about the same time, discovered a love of forging through a high school shop class. A rider since childhood, Dan’s love of horses led him to intensively study farriery with many top notch horseshoers and successfully compete at farrier contests all over the US. After completing a B.S. in Animal Science through Colorado State University, he began shoeing full time in Ft Collins, Colorado, and later relocated his business to Virginia horse country., where he shoed for several top stables.  Certified by the American Farriers Association as a Journeyman Farrier, Dan has shod United States Equestrian Team Champions, Grade 1 Stakes winning Thoroughbred race horses, and top competitors in many disciplines. During his years in Virginia, he also studied Blacksmithing at John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. He has taught classes in smithing for the Grand Valley Blacksmith’s Guild, trained several farrier apprentices, and demonstrated both trades at craft fairs and for public schools.  Products and Markets Dan offers full service horseshoeing in the historic blacksmith shop at La Boca Ranch That includes hoof trimming, and shoeing for any breed, discipline, or species. Dan has extensive experience with hand forged therapeutic shoes, and is capable of correctly applying steel, aluminum, titanium and plastic shoes with conventional nailing or modern adhesives. He studied hoof reconstruction techniques at the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania, and has written several articles for trade publications, and is currently completing a book detailing his methods of therapeutic and orthotic horseshoeing. Contact Dan at the ranch to make an appointment for your farrier needs, or to study one on one with Dan. Blacksmith products include “Happy Fish” bottle openers, decorative snakes made from recycled horseshoers’ rasps, and a variety of useful and ornamental hand forged items for your home. Coat or pot racks, gates, fire tools, candelabra, and hooks are only a few of the products made by heating and hammering the red hot steel on one of the five anvils in the shop. Products are available by custom order, or at the Durango Farmer’s Market.  Open forge sessions in the shop are held on a regular basis for those interested in learning the craft. Contact Dan for Farrier services, blacksmith products or educational workshops.