| Trim | -- Roman's Blacksmith

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Date Posted: 16:40:23 08/10/02 Sat
Author: | Roman |
Subject: | Trim |

| Methodically, he leads the pair of horses to the forge, tying the mother some feet away from the fire. A smooth, calm tone issues to reassure her and the foal. Slow movements characterize his shufflings as he securely ties the foal to a post growing from the ground, and a nearby oak. Continuously murmuring sweet nothings in the babe's pricked ears, he lifts one tiny hoof. As quickly as he can without compromising quality, he forms the nail even and parallel with the horizontal earth. Quadruple smoothings waste the afternoon, until completion. Satisfied with the job, he releases the foal from its bonds, to return to its mother and drink. Still projecting the calm demeanor, the smithy crossties the mare, preparing for her hoof trim. The same mechanical movements performed on the foal, he performs on the dappled mare, never halting the incantation of silly rhythms and lovely melodies. Upon the final rasp of the metal file, he straightens. Time for the mare's shoes. Corded forearms tighten to pump the resistant bellows, tizzying the embers to roaring flames. Once again, he takes the gun-metal rod of steel and burns it in the furnace, silently suffering the explosive heat. Swiftly transferring the glowing rod to the firm surface of the anvil, his ready hammer smites the pulsing minerals, bending it to his iron will. All four shoes are shaped in this manner, with an occasional check on the mare's hooves for a divine fit. In final action, he takes the bitter nails to pursed lips, and taps the shoes onto the mare's receptive hooves. Done, he leads both back to the comfortable pasture. |

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