Third-generation horse shoer hopes to bring back emphasis on horses and other agriculture in Valley
By Pamela Dozois
Contributing Writer
Robert Barnes has been shoeing horses for 38 years, 34 of which have been in the Santa Ynez Valley for his business, Black Iron Farrier. He comes from a long line of farriers; his father and grandfather were both horse shoers.
“I started out in high school going to Porterville Horse Shoeing School. Then I went to farrier school at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo,” said Barnes. “I was in Los Alamos one day visiting a friend, David Fornier, when he said to me, ‘This is a horse shoer’s paradise.’ So, I decided the Valley was the place for me.
“There were a lot more horses in the Valley back then. I did part of my internship at Flag is up Farms way back in 1991. I come from a long line of horseshoers. We’re called farriers now, but that’s the more modern term for it. I’ve had more broken bones being a farrier than I can count. But I love horses and enjoy doing what I do.”
Barnes is a very busy man who also holds clinics twice a year at Jeff and Joanne Lockwood’s Bella Cavalli Ranch and the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center, whose president is David Hunsicker.
“These clinics are for farriers, people who want to learn how to shoe horses correctly and learn corrective farrier science,” said Barnes. “You have horse shoers, and then you have farriers, and there’s a huge difference.”
One of his favorite new projects is his affiliation with Growing Minds Farm Education, a newly established organization whose mission is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community through hands-on education in local agriculture for children in Santa Barbara County.
“One day, my friend Vickie Moeller Reid called me and asked me to join her team at Growing Minds Farm Education as I do a lot of multi-media stuff and farrier demonstrations,” said Barnes. “What I am doing is trying to teach children about horse anatomy and correct farrier work, trimming and shoeing and help kids learn about horses.”
Barnes laments on the decreasing number of horses in the Valley due to diminishing pastures and the economy.
“Keeping horses is expensive and many people who once could afford to own horses now find it impossible,” he said.“Also, grapes have taken over the horse culture; so, in my opinion, that’s what has also caused the demise of the horse culture in the Valley. The beautiful pastures that once had beautiful horses, have now become vineyards.
Barnes said he wants to help reverse that trend.
“I want to bring some equine culture back to the Valley. The Santa Ynez Valley history is steeped in horses and we are just trying to bring it back to the forefront by teaching young ones about horses and their heritage,” he said. “They also teach kids about farming and where their food comes from — not the supermarket, but from the ground.
“I think Growing Minds Farm Education is an excellent addition to our residents in the Santa Ynez Valley, both young and old alike and I want to support them in any way I can.”
Growing Minds Farm Education held a soft opening on Saturday, July 13, with a silent auction, food and beverages, and activities for those in attendance at Hacienda O’Holland Animal Care Sanctuary, a ranch in Solvang which has been rescuing animals since 2001. Started by Joni Cassidy-O’Holland and her husband, David Zatz, their focus was on rescue, adoption, and rehabilitation of domesticated companion and farm animals.
When O’Holland was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, running the sanctuary became too much for them to handle, sothey leased the land to Moeller Reid of Kia Ora Ranch who continued the work of rescuing horses and farm animals. They recently expanded the rescue work to include Growing Minds Farm Education, where individuals of all abilities are invited to cultivate their potential and thrive in a nurturing farm environment. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to fostering inclusive learning experiences for children and adults, including those with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
“We have relaunched and rebranded the Hacienda O’Holland Animal Care Foundation into a Farm Education Program,” stated Moeller Reid, the program director. “This program is committed to providing a welcoming environment where children of all abilities, including those diagnosed with ASD and other developmental disabilities, can thrive. Through our specially designed programs and activities, every child has the opportunity to learn and play in a farm setting that embraces diversity and celebrates individuality.
“At Growing Minds Farm Education, we believe in the transformative power of hands-on education in agriculture. Through specially designed programs and activities, participants of every ability level can engage in meaningful learning and play while surrounded by the beauty of our farm setting,” stated Moeller Reid. “Whether you’re planting seeds in our garden, caring for animals, or exploring nature trails, our goal is to create a welcoming space where everyone feels valued and empowered to grow. Visit our website to learn more about our programs, events, and how you can get involved in our mission of growing minds and nurturing diversity.”
It’s a program that Barnes wants to see, well, grow.
“I hope that Valley residents will embrace Growing Minds Farm Education and take part in their many programs,” said Barnes.
For more information on Growing Minds Farm Education, visit www.letsgrowminds.org, or email vreid@letsgrowminds.org. It is at 838 Ballard Canyon Road, Solvang.
For more information on Robert Barnes, visit www.blackironfarrier.com, info@blackironfarrier.com or call (805) 680-4452.
