Doug Bradbury, FWCF demonstrates how to make a Patten Bar Shoe

Doug Bradbury of Derbyshire, England (pronounced Darbyshire) recently passed away. I had the privilege of meeting him at the Sunderland Draft Horse Farrier Conference in September 21, 1987. It was at that conference I was introduced to Her Royal Highness Princess Ann. Later I was able to travel to Hereford Technical College, having previously obtained permission, and took their Revision Course and then the Worshipful Company of Farriers Diploma exam.

Doug took me to his forge in the Midlands in Derbyshire, a beautiful land covered with pastures fenced with stone walls. I stayed with his family and they took me shoeing with them. I saw many interesting cases. Doug’s wife Joan and his son Neal and family were wonderful hosts.

A most interesting case was a foundered hunter pony that had lost all of its hooves. Doug’s skilled care helped the pony make a complete recovery over the course of a year. He documented this with his excellent photography and sent me a copy of this fascinating record.

Doing an anatomy dissection in Doug Bradbury’s shop

Doug tutored me in his shop on how to make a patten shoe fast and accurately. This was the same shop that Grant Moon served his apprenticeship in with Doug as his Approved Training Farrier. The evening of the 23^rd I presented an anatomy dissection and lecture to 40 people including 4 vets there in his shop for the Midlands Farrier Association. John Short, secretary of the association, presented me with a beautifully hand forged and engraved letter opener which I treasure. Doug and Joan presented me with a copy of Doug’s FWCF Thesis which inspired me to proceed to take all of the English farrier exams and obtain that designation myself.

Doug illustrated in his thesis a number of innovative ways of solving some of the interesting foot and leg problems farriers are confronted with. I have used several of his techniques since and have taught them to others. Doug had an epiphyseal growth plate problem as a youth and walked with a limp. This did not dampen his enthusiasm for life or slow him down when working under horses or at the forge.

I admire the great giving person he was and also appreciated his great family. They are a credit to our unique profession. He will be missed.

Recently, we interviewed Grant Moon, FWCF and he recalled some fond memories of Doug Brandbury as well. The part about Doug Bradbury starts at 54:10. You can listen here.

Left: Doug’s shoeing rig; Right: Doug working with an apprentice