This horseshoer is comfortable in his own shoes

Ric Griffith's mornings are filled with gratitude and satisfied customers.

Like his father before him, he earns a living with his hands. In a valley riddled with high unemployment and scarce job prospects, he knows he's fortunate to possess skills that set him apart.

While no one will mistake him for the richest man in town, he could teach a generation of Mercedes-chasers a thing or two about what's important in life.

Ric Griffith shoes horses.

At 52, he's so comfortable around the tail end of a horse we should consider sending him to Congress.

He started the trade as a boy, shadowing his father, Don Griffith, around horse stalls from here to Tucson, where he outfitted the University of Arizona rodeo team's animals with shoes. From expensive show ponies to sway-backed mares, Don Griffith fit them all. And the son noticed how much pride the father took in the work.

Ric had opportunities to pursue other trades, but the truth is he was drawn to the horses. He was a familiar face on the rodeo circuit for many years as a steer wrestler and calf and team roper. But he cherished working with his father, who died in 2002.

As an apprentice at his dad's side, he learned to use a forge to soften the shoes and form them to the hooves. A lot has changed over the years.

"They've come so far," he says. "They pretty much make everything that a guy really needs now: Everything imaginable -- even aluminum shoes. Forges are still used a little bit, but not on a daily basis."

Griffith has made a few concessions to age. Where shoeing a horse once took him about an hour, it now takes him closer to two. A horse needs new shoes every four to six weeks.

"For me it seems fairly easy because I grew up around it from the time I was 5 years old," he says. "I'm lucky. I learned stuff from my dad. I got to work with my dad pretty much my whole life. ... He taught me the trade and to always try to be nice to them. You've got to get underneath them and be nice to them."

Although he admits he has been kicked a couple of times, the vast majority of his customers are satisfied. They wear his shoes without complaint, return regularly for new pairs and aren't concerned whether their ankles look fat.

After more than four decades, Griffith still finds the work rewarding. He appreciates being able to ply a trade he learned as a boy. Thanks to his father, he provides for his wife, daughter and horses after all these years.

Shoeing a dozen animals a week also leaves Griffith with enough free time to coach UNLV's rodeo team. During the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center, you'll find Griffith at a table putting out the word about the university's outstanding bunch of rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. On Tuesday morning, the team was honored with proclamations by the County Commission for advancing to the 2011 College National Finals Rodeo, a level most other sports on campus only dream about.

After more than two decades as head coach, Griffith knows all the shiny buckles and rodeo dreams can't replace an education. His message to the team never varies.

"It's great to see them graduate," he says. "I like to see all the students graduate, more so than the rodeo part of it. I tell them academics is first, rodeo is second. I want them to get a degree."

It doesn't take long before you come to appreciate that this horseshoer is comfortable in his own shoes.

"I feel real fortunate because I can make my own time for my family and the rodeo team also," he says. "That part I feel real fortunate about."

Ric Griffith doesn't need a horseshoe to remind him how lucky he is.

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Email him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 702-383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.