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Saddlebred World Remembers Gordon Haight

**From his daughter Diane Ferdig

International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer Gordon Haight, passed away on the evening of September 10th, 2019.  He died from complications due to COPD.  He is survived by his wife, Susan M. Haight, three children, Diane H. Ferdig, Steven M. Haight and Richard L. Haight. two sisters, Diane Whisman and Patricia Husar and granddaughter Kyrsten Sievers.  He died peacefully in his home with family at his bedside.

Gordon was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  His family moved from Canada to southern California when he was 13.  He graduated from El Monte High School in 1962 where he met his wife, Susan, of 55 years.  After high school, he worked as a meat cutter.  Haight started his shoeing career after he and his wife Susan bought an American Saddlebred from trainer Bill Wyse, who shod his own horses. Wyse taught Haight how to shoe after a search for a farrier was fruitless.

He started out shoeing many different types of horses including thoroughbreds at the San Louis Ray Downs training center.  Over the years, he perfected his craft and learned corrective shoeing becoming a very reputable farrier.  Veterinarians would often refer work to him to correct foot and leg issues.  

In 1972, he met and partnered with farrier Jay Sharp.  Together with Lee Green, they founded the California Farriers’ Association, in 1973, now known as the Western States Farriers’ Association, Chapter 1 under the American Farriers’ Association.  Gordon served as President from 1973 to 1975.  Lee Green said, “Gordon was a real mover for the profession and association.  If it had not been for Gordon, we would not have had an association!”

In 1979, Gordon and his then assistant, Jeff Doddridge, went to Fresno, California to compete at the American Farriers Association’s annual conference.   They won the draft-forging contest.   Along with Randy Luikart, Bruce Daniels and Bob Marshall (coach) they formed the first North American Horseshoeing Team that would go on to compete at Ireland’s Dublin Horseshow.  Unfortunately, Gordon had an accident losing one of his eyes that prevented him from going.  Jeff Doddridge said this of Gordon, “We had both worked very hard before [the] contests and did way better than expected.  I ended up being the youngest player ever to get on the team.  I owe it all to him”.   

Gordon recovered from the accident and continued to shoe horses.  He became a sought after farrier known for shoeing American Saddlebreds, show ponies, and was widely recognized for his corrective work.  He was also the official farrier at most of the top California horse shows.  He shod show horses for prominent clientele in California, Oregon, Utah, North Carolina, Kentucky and Canada.  

Besides earning a position on the first ever North American Horseshoeing team his career highlights include judging several shoeing competitions including the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada as well as performing demonstrations at clinics and speaking at AFA conferences.  He also wrote several articles on corrective shoeing, balance and soundness for the American Farriers Journal and Anvil Magazines.  He was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame.  He had Lifetime and Honorary memberships with the Western States Farriers Association, San Diego County Farriers Association and the Oregon Farriers Association.   

In 1994, he and Susan moved to Eagle Point, Oregon where they lived for 22 years.  He continued to shoe for his elite clientele and make farrier tools and knives.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating.  When his children were young, he would take them “hunting” for deer with their little Kodak cameras.  He lived the last three years of his life in Rogue River, Oregon.  

Jay Merrick, farrier and Gordon’s apprentice from the early 80s, stated, “He’ll continue to be in my heart and soul.  I owe him the education I have today as a horse shoer”.  

Lee Green had this final thing to say, “He has always been a good friend, and willing to help anyone that asked!  One of the finest shoers in the country”.  

When Gordon was asked what advice he has for today’s farriers he stated, “Never stop learning”.