After graduating high school I jumped around from job to job trying to find my "niche" in life. After talking with a few friends, and contacting a few local farriers, I decided to enroll in Farrier school. After some research, I found that there was an excellent school in New Mexico that was instructed by a world champion ,and hall of  fame farrier. This made it an easy choice for me. I enrolled in Tucumcari Area Vocational Schools 42 week Farrier Science program instructed by the legendary Jim Keith.

I started an apprenticeship with a local shoemaker named Craig Trnka, CJF in Jan. 1991 and worked for him up until the start of farrier school in Jan. 1992.  I also traveled back on weekends and holidays and worked with him during school. I graduated farrier school at the top of my class in Dec. 1992, with 2 certificates and a diploma of farrier science.
During school I became interested in farrier contests. My instructor, and the man I worked for, were competitiors as well. So I had lots of support . I entered my first contest in April 1992 while only four months into school, and took high point in the Novice division. All the hard work making shoes during my spare time  had paid off. It was very rewarding. I continued to enter contests while attending school and by the time of graduation I had moved up to the open division. I was competing against farriers with decades more experience than myself. This made me work harder in the forge and my everyday shoeing. Competition made me a better farrier in a shorter amount of time. I believe this was the reason for graduating first in my class. I continued to compete across the nation for 3 more years, and consistently placed in the money.  I have numerous ribbons and buckles.
 
I spent 100's of hours in the forge, making handmade shoes and studying hoofcare. While most other students were out partying I was in the school's shop practicing.
After remaining in New Mexico for 2 years I moved to Austin, Texas. There I met a well established farrier named Ron Marshall. We started a business together called "Cen-tex Horseshoeing". Ron and I had the partnership for 4 years until I moved to Indiana. Ron was the perfect person to spend time shoeing with everday. I already had all the forging skills I needed, now it was time to learn the most important aspects of the trade. With 35 years experience, Ron taught me a lot. He was well educated on lameness, gait faults, anatomy, and bio-mechanics of the equine digit. The 4 years I spent with him are priceless.  I basically spent another 4 years of education.

I moved to Indiana in 1998. A long time client in Texas moved here and asked if Iwould travel here to continue shoeing for her. I said sure, that would be fun. Well, after making the trip a few times I decided Indiana was where I wanted to be. I have built a successful business here and enjoy everyday of it. I am obsessed with helping horses become sound and,I eat, breath, and sleep farriery. I make shoes in my shop about 3 days a week and read at least an hour every night on hoof care.  I attend as many continuing education clinics as plossible to keep up on the new ideas brought to the trade. Though I do attend the "new age clinics", I am old school. I was taught that a true farrier should be able to do what needs done with, a hammer, anvil, and forge. I still believe that today.
 
In 20 years I have seen a lot and probably shod just about every type of horse there is to shoe. I don't shoe one breed or discipline specifically. I like to keep a variety of horses on the books. I shod the carriage horses in Indy for 10 years, so I definately have draft experience. I also shoe arabians, reiners, jumpers, haflinger(scotch bottoms) dressage and many other types of breeds and disciplines. I have dedicated the last 20 years to hoofcare, and I am still learning everyday. If I run into a problem I can't fix ,I have no problem calling another farrier and asking for their opinion.  It is my job to meet your and most importantly, your horses needs. I enjoy taking on lameness cases and have worked with several veterinarians. I have shod for several top trainers in the state and also shod a few world champions. Most of my focus now is on lameness and gait fault issues, I have found these challenging and rewarding at the same time.

Now, I have added husband to my list of titles and I am very happy to have found love after being a bachelor all my 40 years of  life. 

 American Farriers Association/ Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF).

Dan Helton

Some of my accomplishments!!!!! American Farrier's Association-Certified Journeyman Farrier Passed Certification shoe board with all handmade shoes! Division 1 high point champion, Tucumcari contest 1992 Division 1 Live shoeing champion, Tucumcari 1992 Draft shoe champion, Tucumcari 1992 Draft shoe champion Abilene contest 1992 Reserve high point Abilene contest 1992 Division 2 high point champion ASFA contest 1993 Fifth place draft shoes, 1993 AFA convention Division 3 high point champion, Hoosier classic 2002 Live shoeing champion Hoosier classic 2002 Clinician online hoof conference 2010! Numerous reserve champion in open division Lots of ribbons and buckles! Graduated top of class '92 of 15 students! Traveled worldwide shoeing horses! Most importantly, lots of world champions shod, and unsound horses better!

For more info on farrier service please call 317-213-5984