A Florida farrier made the cut for The History Channel’s new series “Forged in Fire”.
Jonathan Porter, of Lakeland, calls the experience “a little surreal,” after he was invited to New York for filming earlier this year.
Porter forges horseshoes for his farrier business, Porter Farrier Service, which caters mostly to dressage clients. He began shoeing in 2008 and is an American Farrier’s Association Certified Farrier.
Jonathan Porter
DogHouse Forge
Three years ago, Porter says he used his blacksmith skills and began making knives when things were slow at a horse show. So why knives? “Everyone has kitchen knives,” Porter says.
And as a former line chef and saucier, Porter says he learned the importance of having the right tools for the right job. He hand forges kitchen cutlery and an outdoor line of knives for his second business DogHouse Forge, with the support of business partners. It is this experience that got Porter tapped by The History Channel for the cutting edge competition.
Christie Gold says not everyone is as lucky as she is to have a celebrity farrier. “Jonathan’s attention to detail is evident, not only in the craftsmanship of the knives he sells…, but in his farrier work as well. He has analyzed my horse’s conformation and watched her go in order to best meet her needs as a dressage horse.”
“Forged in Fire” is touted as the most talented bladesmiths in the world testing their mettle. In each episode, four competitors put their reputations on the line. They must avoid elimination by turning raw metal into working versions of classic weapons.
Custom Made Knives by DogHouse Forge
Porter competes against three others on the July 6th episode, that airs at 10 PM EST. Out of the four competing, he says he is the only bladesmith that also has blacksmith experience. “The actual contest was forging and it’s what both my businesses are based around so I was able to enjoy the experience,” Porter adds.
One person from Porter’s show will be eliminated. The others will move forward to the next round. The last man standing with an artistically and functional weapon, that holds up to the judges’ scrutiny, wins $10,000.
Details regarding the show’s winner are top secret. Gold admits she may be biased, but she says she believes Porter is the clear winner.
Horse quarantine: illness unknown The Miami Animal Import horse quarantine facility reopens after four horses died from a still unidentified illness. Staff completed a thorough cleaning and disinfection allowing the quaranti... Read More
The relationship between farrier and horse owner or trainer is an important, yet often overlooked, part of the success of the equine athlete. Here's how to get the most from it from AFA Certified Journeymen Farriers.... Read More
The United States Department of Justice filed an enforcement action Wednesday against a Florida feed manufacturer to stop what it calls the adulteration and misbranding of medicated animal feeds.... Read More
When horseshoes don’t fit correctly, horses distribute their weight unevenly and land on their feet differently. If they put excessive force and stress on one area of the hoof wall, it can cause a vertical crack, otherwise... Read More
Okeechobee, Florida A Florida court has permanently enjoined an animal feed manufacturer. It comes after 17 horses were euthanized due to the company’s alleged misbranding and adulteration of pelleted horse feed. The ... Read More
Lameness is a key sign of thin soles. If the condition isn’t diagnosed, horses are often uncomfortable walking, especially on hard, abrasive surfaces. Some develop sole bruising. When these symptoms are prevalent, it’s i... Read More
Proper hoof trimming is vital to preventing injury causing lameness in horses. Keeping horses’ bars aligned and healthy are key to prevent a “stacked sole,” or worse, a bruised sole or abscess.... Read More
Authorities say they found a second horse slaughtered Monday morning in South Florida, a day after the gruesome discovery of another butchered horse's head.... Read More
When horses show lameness, but the prognosis isn’t obvious, it is often diagnosed as Navicular Disease. Navicular is a degenerative disease that affects the Navicular bone and surrounding tissue. More often than not, horse... Read More
A Florida horse trainer is being hailed a hero after she saved Rick Appin's life. Meghan Green received a "Life Saving Commendation" award from Parkland City Commissioners Wednesday.... Read More
A horse in Okeechobee County, Florida, tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA), according to the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC). This is the first case of the deadly disease this year in the state.... Read More
When hooves aren’t trimmed properly or horseshoes don’t fit correctly your horse may get a quarter crack caused by excessive force and stress on one area of the hoof wall. Find out what else causes quarter cracks and how... Read More
Plaintiff Lynn Kassem, of Georgia, is also suing Florida horse agent and trainer Debi Connor. The suit claims ‘many’ of almost $1 million in horses purchased by Kassem, with Matt Martin’s help, came through Debi Connor... Read More
A thirteen-year-old horseback rider's injuries were allegedly caused by a Florida equine professional's negligence involving horses and alcohol, according to a recently filed lawsuit. Horse trainer and riding instructor Gina... Read More
Authorities say a top show jumping horse was killed at Imperial Farms Equestrian Center in Florida. It happened at the Palmetto stable sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning.... Read More
When training and preparing a horse for an endurance race, it’s important to have a hoof care plan and regimen in place that is consistent and reliable for the conditions found on endurance courses.... Read More
The nine-year-old was at a Florida horse auction this week, where five formerly abused horses were being sold on the auction block. Campbell was waiting to reconnect with an old friend named Dixie Belle. The pair met at the ... Read More
A Florida businessman says his insurer unfairly denied coverage after his veterinary facility's hyperbaric chamber exploded with a horse inside, killing a nearby employee.... Read More
As horses enter breeding season, broodmares become less active while bearing extra weight from pregnancy. Owners can help ensure the transition from shod to barefoot is a comfortable process...... Read More
Optimal arch support is achieved by having a healthy frog and sole on a hoof. When a shoe is applied, the frog and sole move away from the ground, so it’s crucial to assure that there is arch support.... Read More
A Florida lawsuit accuses show jumping’s Holger Hetzel of fraud, civil theft, and professional negligence. The plaintiffs are seeking more than $1 million in damages and injunctive relief for the return of one of their hor... Read More
When a farrier shoes the horse, all of the weight is placed on the hoof wall. When the horse moves, the coffin bone and sole are moving downward toward the ground. This creates more stress on the already inflamed lamina.... Read More
They were fed contaminated equine feed produced by Lakeland Animal Nutrition, an Alltech subsidiary. Three horses died in October. Lakeland Animal Health issued a voluntary recall of its horse feed soon after.... Read More
Florida offers horse buyers additional protections when it comes to purchasing an equine. Do you know what a bill of sale must include in Florida? Do you know what information must be disclosed about the sale horse in Florid... Read More
Two U.S. cities have submitted bids to host the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018. The Fédération Équestre Internationale, states Lexington, Kentucky and Wellington, Florida, submitted formal applications and questionnai... Read More
A Tarrant County prosecutor, once again, is being asked to file an animal cruelty charge against Florida horse trainer, Shirley Roth. Roth allegedly abused a client’s stallion while in Texas for the Reichert Celebration la... Read More
Three weeks of lock-down at HITS Ocala ends today, according to Florida's Division of Animal Industry. This year's EHV-1 outbreak in Florida may lead to safer showing conditions at all HITS competitions in the future.... Read More
An Incident Command Team comprised of state and federal personnel is being mobilized after five additional horses that are linked to the HITS Show in Ocala have tested positive for EHV-1. All horses at HITS Ocala are under s... Read More