A Legacy Forged by Fire, Faith, and Family
- Lily Green
- Mar 9
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
all pioneers go west...at least once.
The First Generation — Richard Green
“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”.
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.
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.
A disappointment at first, the challenge of returning upstate and caring for her ailing father became an unexpected opportunity for the family. 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.
In the years to come, Richard not only grew a successful career as a farrier but became one of the first professional 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 every family man 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 trade, Richard could afford to have the freedom to choose his level of success.
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."
If you asked any one of them, the Green's would say the same: God is behind the wheel of life and business. A conviction that remained strong through the generations.
The Second & Third Generations — Guy J. Green & his daughters
the second & third journey.
“Follow your own convictions.” - Karen
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.
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.
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. 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
Even with the success of his new business, Guy never laid down his hammer and passion for blacksmithing. 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 attended Midwest Horseshoeing School in the class of 2017, shortly before it's acquisition by the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. It was there she met her husband, Sergio Gutierrez, who was visiting on a work visa from Columbia. 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.
“You’re talented enough to do whatever you want with this one short life.” - Lydia
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.
"...the forge is more than a business, it’s a reminder of the pioneering spirit of faith and family. I hope to share our story through a craftsmanship that’s built to last.” - Lily
Relying on Jesus, hard work, and stubborn independence, the Green family continues a tradition — now in its third generation — working with metal and fire as a way of life.
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