Has any one any information on the National Horseshoers' Association of Philadelphia Rising Sun Association for the Recovery of Stolen Horses or similar organizations? Questions I am pondering: What's a horse shoer's life like? Different than a blacksmith? Why would a blacksmith be a member of the Stolen Horses group? Thanks much.any help appreciated. Michael Carolan, great great grandson of a blacksmith

Hi Michael Carolan, I amunable to answer the first part of your question:- >Has any one any information on the National Horseshoers' Association of >Philadelphia >Rising Sun Association for the Recovery of Stolen Horses or similar >organizations? >Questions I am pondering: >What's a horse shoer's life like? Different than a blacksmith? Both my grandfather and my great grandfather were blacksmiths in Edinburgh, Scotland, and horseshoeing was just part of their normal work. Much of their work included the manufacture and repair of farm equipment. Although they worked in a farming area before the days of tractors there was not enough work in shoeing to keep one man fully employed. I suspect that full time horseshoers might be employed in the army or by large stables connected with racing or hunting. >Why would a blacksmith be a member of the Stolen Horses group? He might recognise a stolen horse brought to him. >Thanks much.any help appreciated. Michael Carolan, great great grandson of a >blacksmith > -- Gordon S McKean Dumfries, Scotland Mailto:[email protected]