K.C.
Barteld was born in Bergenfield, New Jersey on March
19th, 1930 to Esther Cooper and Charles Barteld. As a teenager
he left home for the west coast, settling in California and
working on various ranches. At that time there was usually a
ranch hand that cared for the horses. This individual would
tend to have some experience with at least basic hoof care including
trimming and shoeing. Experience learned from other ranches
and ranch hands was the general way the earlier farrier knowledge
and horsemanship skills were passed on at this time. K.C. picked
up many individuals styles and understandings of how they cared
for the ranch horse hooves there.
Throughout
his lifetime he owned many horses and experienced the lack of
quality farrier care. Out of necessity he applied what he had
been taught and learned in California to the best of his ability
and understanding. After decades of frustration as a horse owner
he decided to attend the Oklahoma
Horseshoeing School (OHS).
Upon
completing Dr. Jack Roth’s Professional Farrier Program
K.C. returned to Tallahassee in North Florida to start his farrier
practice. Years of successful honing of his skills for horses
used in everything from competition to pleasure riding provided
opportunities from simply improving trimming to solving lameness’s
unresolved by prior farriers. He believed the quality of trimming
was the most important aspect of hoof care and the most overlooked.
These beliefs were confirmed through the quality of hoof he
developed for horses participating in every discipline and breed
of horse. Further testaments to his quality of work garnered
him the business of recognizable customers throughout North
Florida and South Georgia that are still being provided to them
today. Additional success and accomplishments can be confirmed
by numerous personal recommendations, horses trailered in for
him to care for and recognition by the BWFA
with “Master Farrier.” K.C. was always willing to
share his experiences and provided many young farriers with
apprenticeships throughout his years of farrier service.
We
will be expanding this history and welcome any contact and stories
you may have about KC, please
email us.
Sincerely,
Brett
Barteld