I realized today that our friend and farrier Ken Norman could use some help in the months ahead, just as I have needed some help this year, and gotten it. Ken came to trim the donkey’s hooves today, and he is going into the hospital December 29 to have both knees replaced, his knees are shot from years of bending over and trimming the hooves of horses and donkeys.

Ken and his wife Eli have take  care of many equines, and also rescued countless horses and donkeys, many of whom are still on their farm in Pawlet, Vt.  He does not say know to animals in need.

Ken plans to be back at work as soon as he can, his doctors say his rehab and rehabilitation will take three months. If attitude counts, he will be up and on his feet as quickly as possible, he is not one for sitting around much. Some of you may recall the photos of Nikolene, the Bedlam Farm Barn Fairy, Ken is a loving father who has helped is daughter be strong and confident in her  own life with animals.

I’ve known Ken for years, he has taken care of every donkey I have owned, he is largely responsible for Simon being alive, he worked on Simon in the hours and days after he was taken off a farm by the New York State Police, he has been working on Simon’s twisted legs for several years and has helped Simon heal and move around with little pain or struggle.

Ken is not one of those people who knows how to ask for help, but farriers are like writers and musicians in at least one way, they live month to month, and the loss of income for three months is a tough thing for any farrier to handle.This is not work you do for the money. He and I both think a a crowdsourcing project on gofundme.com or kickstarter.com  might be helpful in a few weeks.

Ken will, I think, will also need some support for the rescue animals in his care and for the support of his family for three months over the winter. Ken has helped countless animals and animal lovers in his life, he has sacrificed his knees to the real lives of real animals. He is a supporter of the New York Carriage Horses and a brave individualist who has devoted his life to horses and donkeys. I’ve seen him with broken arms and wrists, grimacing in pain from bruises, kicks and collisions with troubled animals.

Farrier work is brutal and challenging work, none of us could have horses or donkeys without farriers.

I want to help him get what he needs during this period of transition, Ken plans to be trimming hooves again as soon as possible.  I hope some of you will join me. There are many horse people reading the blog these days, and I know each of you knows the importance of a farrier to the equine world. Ken will not give up his chosen life, no matter what his knees are like,  nor should he have to. So I’d like to help him set up his crowdsourcing project and use the blog to help support it.

I’ve asked him to figure out what he needs, and I’ll keep you posted. We are learning through the carriage horse controversy and other challenges that those of us who live and work with animals are a community, and a community under siege from many quarters. We need to help one another. Update: Ken is seeking $17, 600 to help care for his farm, his family and his horses and donkeys.

Ken deserves or help and has given it to many of us – including me – over the years. I’ll be in touch. You can visit Ken’s Facebook Page here.