Dan Verniero Blacksmith/Farrier Project Leader Dan began shoeing horses when he was 15, and at about the same time, discovered a love of forging through a high school shop class.   A rider since childhood, Dan’s love of horses led him to intensively study farriery with many top notch horseshoers and successfully compete at farrier contests all over the US. After completing a B.S. in Animal Science through Colorado State University, he began shoeing full time in Ft Collins, Colorado, and later relocated his business to Virginia horse country., where he shoed for several top stables. Certified by the American Farriers Association as a Journeyman Farrier, Dan has shod United States Equestrian Team Champions, Grade 1 Stakes winning Thoroughbred race horses, and top competitors in many disciplines.   During his years in Virginia, he also studied Blacksmithing at John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. He has taught classes in smithing for the Grand Valley Blacksmith’s Guild, trained several farrier apprentices, and demonstrated both trades at craft fairs and for public schools.     Dan also has strong interests in sustainability, biodynamics, animal traction, and food production, and believes that proper care of working animals hooves, and a basic understanding of forging, are necessary skills on any sustainable farm. When he’s not under a horse or behind an anvil, Dan enjoys riding his mule Louise.