Shoe Store For Horses Is World's Largest

Shoe Store For Horses Is World's Largest AG WORLD Ag World 7-6-19 "So far as we know, we carry the world's largest, most complete supply of horse shoes, nails, farrier tools and blacksmith equipment," says William Pieh, owner-operator of Centaur Forge, Ltd., Burlington, Wis. His customers include cowboys, rodeo riders, farmers, ranchers, farriers and horsemen from all 50 states, Canada, and many foreign countries. Many of his customers come to buy special anvils, portable forges, work benches, vises, foot stands, and shoe-shaping devices which Pieh himself designs and makes. He's well known throughout horse shoeing circles for redesigning the old rubber anti-snowball pad, and the Phoenix style polo plate. Pieh is a farrier graduate of California State Polytechnic Institute, and has a B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he earned his way through college shoeing horses. To get to national conventions and shows, Pieh simply hops in his own plane. "I often take along my cargo consisting of 1,000 lb. anvils, forges and farrier supplies. I guess I'm the world's only flying anvil salesman," he quips. Centaur Forge carries a regular inventory of about 500 anvils, 20 tons of blacksmith coal, 25 tons of horse shoe nails, and 100 tons of horse shoes of all shapes and sizes, some of which are made in foreign countries. For customers who can't shop in person at Centaur Forge, Pieh has put together a catalog so they can shop by mail. "If I don't have the tool, shoe or other item a customer wants, I can usually get it for him. And, if nobody has it, chances are we can make it right here in our own shop," he points out. For a copy of the catalog, send $2 to: FARM SHOW Followup, Centaur Forge, P.O. Box 340S, Burlington, Wis. 53105 (ph 414 763-9175).

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