Heroes for Horses: The Hoof Healers

By JOHN TERHUNE for the Journal & Courier, Lafayette-West Lafayette, Indiana
jterhune@journalandcourier.com

Lynn Greasy whispered into the ear of J. J. Bar Power, a 7-year-old horse, as farrier William Schnepp began to replace the shoes on the horse’s two front hooves recently at Indiana Horse Rescue Central West near West Lafayette.

The reassuring words along with gentle pats helped to steady the animal as Schnepp went to work.

Schnepp and his wife, Lorie, run Gracious Gaits Farrier Service out of Delphi. For the past six years, the couple have traveled the state shoeing all varieties of horses.

On this day, they were at Indiana Horse Rescue Central West to volunteer. Their work began outdoors, but the weather changed before they can finish work on the first horse. They quickly moved into a nearby barn to resume shoeing and examining horses.

They shared the barn with several ducks, a rooster, a chicken and a small dog named Henry that wandered dangerously between the horse’s legs.

“After about two years of farrier work, we found a big need for volunteer services for the horse rescues, so for about four years, along with a full-time farrier business, we’ve been donating services to the Indiana Horse Rescue,” William Schnepp said.

Allison Moffitt runs Indiana Horse Rescue Central West. She said the Schnepps’ volunteer work saves her between $35 and $75 per horse each month. There are currently seven or eight rescue horses on the property.

“Their services are amazing; they do a great job,” said Moffitt. “They are so patient with these animals.”

The rooster in the barn began to crow, apparently oblivious to the fact it was early afternoon. The bird’s antics provided a brief moment of comic relief.

“Horses are a whole lot more satisfaction than dealing with people because they’re more grateful — they show that they care about what’s going on,” said Lorie Schnepp.

“People don’t have to be mean to these animals. They just want to learn, they want to be loved and they need to be taken care of appropriately.”

For more information visit www.graciousgaits.com

Source: The Hoof Healers