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Meet Your Local Blacksmith
Blacksmithing is an umbrella term for everything that includes working with steel. Specialists who forge metal into horseshoes are called farriers (Latin ferrarius, from ferrum ‘iron, horseshoe’). In the purest sense of the word, blacksmithing is an artistic craft with many uses. Over a decade ago, I forged my first horseshoe and learned to weld while training as a farrier in trade school. Since then I've held a passion for rediscovering the lost art of blacksmithing.
In a small - but mighty - way, I hope to share with the community a taste of authentic, traditional craftsmanship and quality service.
your local smith,
Lily Green
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JOURNAL
Secrets Of A Lost Art
A Legacy Forged by Fire, Faith, and Family
Leaning on the sacrifice and hard work of generations before, the Green family continues a tradition — now in its third generation — working with metal and fire as a way of life.
"Three generations later the forge is more than a business to me, it’s a reminder of the pioneering spirit born by faith and family. I hope to share our story through traditional craftsmanship that’s built to last.” - Lily
all pioneers go west...at least once.
The First Generation — Richard Green
first journey.
“Do everything you want to do...don’t do it for the glory or a paycheck, do it just because you can.” - Anne
After serving in the Navy during the Korean War alongside his twin brother, Don, Richard Green returned home with a strong appreciation for adventure and freedom. Farm life was peaceful for a time, but the desire for new challenges and fight for independence never went away.
Weekend bull riding, late-night welding jobs for rodeo friends, and a career at the telephone company couldn’t satisfy that brewing “pioneer itch”.
Rodeos in the mid 1960's-70's were extremely popular, with near sell-out crowds.
So when an opportunity came to learn the blacksmith trade and start his own part-time business, Richard asked for time off. His company promptly said no, so he did what any hot-blooded American would have done centuries before — he left anyway, packed up his family and moved west to start a full-time blacksmithing career.
In the 1960's, acclaimed farrier Ralph Hoover founded the world-renowned Porterville Horseshoeing School in Porterville, California, after relocating from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. It was known nationwide for producing the finest farriers, and Richard was one of the lucky few accepted into the class of ’64.
mobile cattle trim table brought as demonstration to Porterville Horseshoeing School
Richard and his wife Anne worked as ranch caretakers while he learned everything he could about blacksmithing, bovine trimming, farriery, and horse training.
Just a year later, news reached Anne about her father’s failing health.
The couple loaded up again with their little boy, a German Shepherd, and a feisty kitten - and made the long journey back to the family farm in upstate New York.
Richard Green and his son, Guy, shoeing a horse in the 70s
A setback at first, that particular challenge of returning upstate and caring for her ailing father became an unexpected opportunity. The timing couldn’t have been better.
A major shift was happening in New York’s dairy industry as facilities started to modernize. Cattle herds were growing, and skilled hoof care was in high demand.
Richard's first shoeing rig, a 1.5 ton chevy, complete with living quarters, a shop, and a chimney for the coal forge.
In the years to come, Richard not only grew a successful career as a farrier but became one of the first dairy cow hoof trimmers in the state — traveling farm to farm in his mobile workshop. Later on in the 1970s the purchase of a gorgeous '68 Kenworth marked the debut of a full-time trucking company hauling everything from produce to road salt. Not everone in those days could say they had a steady income, let alone have multiple jobs and be self-employed. But thanks to a successful blacksmith service that started in California, Richard could afford the freedom to choose his level of success.
Inside the Chevy shoeing rig (left to right) coal forge, vise, anvil, grinder, work bench, shelves, and electric hookups
The years leading up to their career success were not easy. Self-employment meant sacrifice. Money was tight and the price of independence was high. When asked how she felt about the hard challenges her family went through during those lean years Anne said confidently,
"The Lord was with us through everything and still is. We've always believed in the Lord. I don't know how people get through the day without Him."
Richard & Anne with one of their GSD's, Kain
If you asked any one of them, the Green's would say the same: God was always behind the wheel of life and business. A conviction that remained strong in the next generations.
The Second & Third Generation — Guy J. Green & his daughters
second and third journeys.
Fast-forward many years later, Richard’s son - Guy J. Green - followed a familiar trail — and quite literally retraced his father's journey west. After serving a term in the U.S. Navy as a snipe (engineering dept., tug-boat mechanic), Guy attended and graduated in the class of '84 from the same horseshoeing school as his father.
“Follow your own convictions.” - Karen
Guy Green (left) next to one of his instructors in a class photo graduation day at Porterville Horseshoeing School.
A few years after that - and in the spirit of doing things the hard way - Guy and his wife Karen commenced building a log cabin for their small family. During this time, he started to learn another trade that involved automated equipment solutions for farmers in upstate New York. Like his father, he saw the wave of opportunity and caught it by the reigns.
Hand built log cabin by Guy & Karen using red pine trees planted locally in the early 1900's by boy scouts.
Becoming an agricultural engineer happened almost by accident. After quitting work at a dairy tech company as a technician, he saw a gap in the industry that required engineering control services. Long story short - he grabbed some books and burned through all his candles (just kidding, they had electricity).
Through self-study and high demand Guy soon became one of the most reputable engineers in the area. His company was one of the very first to develop industrial automation and precision agriculture equipment for the dairy industry in upstate New York.
“There’s plenty of good horses out there, don’t risk everything on a bad one.” - Guy
Guy and Karen with their Chihuahua, Mr. Bojangles
Even with the success of his new business, Guy never laid down his hammer and passion for blacksmithing or shoeing horses. He made sure to teach and pass down his knowledge to his two daughters. Each went on to become graduates of a trade school in the Midwest, then build their own farrier businesses—one in Arizona and one in Virginia.
“Don't wait for tomorrow to get it done when you have time today” - Sergio
Lydia & Sergio in front of their new shoeing rig
Lily graduated Midwest Horseshoeing School in the class of 2014. Her first jobs took her to Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, and then to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, where she currently lives and operates LG Blacksmithing.
Lydia attended Midwest Horseshoeing School in the class of 2017, shortly before it's acquisition by the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. There she met her husband, Sergio Gutierrez, who was visiting on a work visa from Columbia. Soon after they married and traveled westward to build a successful farrier business, Double G Farrier Services, and settled in 'the roping capital of the world' Wickenburg, Arizona.
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“You’re talented enough to do whatever you want with this one short life.” - Lydia
Lily in front of her shoeing rig and anvil with her BC dog, Stitch
Time-honored Craftsmanship
The Promise at LG Blacksmithing
The Greens forged ahead, building their legacy by stepping away from the 9–5 to pursue life as entrepreneurs and tradesmen—driven by the desire for the freedom to create something they could call their own.
Here at LG Blacksmithing, I promise to carry forward this family pride in my business and workmanship.
Whether you're here for farrier services, custom blacksmithing, handcrafted metalwork, or a connection to a time-honored trade, I'm absolutely honored to continue serving the community with a craft that has influenced and helped shape my family for more than half a century.