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Aaron McAbee
Before the big show barns, elite horses, and established reputation, Aaron McAbee started out was like many of in this industry, just a kid in awe of horses and what it meant to be a real cowboy.
Forging with Heat & Heart, The Story of Aaron McAbee
Aaron grew up riding Western, learning horses the only way he knew how: through long days, hard lessons, and a deep connection with the animals beneath him. Horses weren’t a calculated career path. They are simply part of who he is.
For a time, life pulled him in a different direction.
After high school, Aaron stepped into a stable job as a power company lineman. It was secure and predictable, the kind of path many of us are encouraged to follow. But even then, he knew his real passion lived elsewhere. In true cowboy fashion he somehow kept finding himself in a barn. Evenings and weekends were spent riding, training young horses, and shoeing for friends. He just couldn’t stay away. The message became clear this wasn’t just a side job, THIS is what he was meant to do.
So, eleven years ago, Aaron made the decision that would change everything.
With passion as his compass and courage to guide him, he walked away from security and stepped fully into the unknown.
The leap didn’t come without challenges. Like most up and coming farriers, the early days were slow, uncertain, and filled with doubt. “It was a little slow the first couple months… it kind of made me doubt quitting my job,” Aaron admits. But he didn’t turn back. Determined to succeed, he leaned into what he knew. Training horses. Using his existing skills to stay afloat while building his farrier business one horse at a time.
Mentorship became the foundation that steadied him.
Aaron’s foundation began at home, where his father and grandfather taught him horsemanship and instilled a deep respect for the craft. But the first farrier to take a chance on him was Brandon Blankenship(double check w Aaron that’s how his last name is spelled), who helped Aaron refine his skills and eventually trusted him with his first real clients. One of which was a summer camp. Aaron has been their resident farrier ever since. Another major influence was Jeff Pauley, CJF, who introduced him to the art of forging, teaching him how to shape steel with precision and intention.
These relationships didn’t just build his skillset, they shaped his view of the industry.
Having good colleagues and friends… to be successful, you have to have a good working relationship with everybody.
For years, Aaron worked, learned, and stayed consistent. His work ethic as steady as his hammer. Then came his turning point.
A connection through an early client led him into a high level dressage barn, making his first step into working with elite competition horses. It was where preparation met opportunity. The experience pushed his skills and, just as importantly, gave him credibility. From there, doors began to open.
As his reputation grew, Aaron tapped into something few farriers were using at the time, social media. By consistently posting his work, he built a following that showcased his precision and pride in craftsmanship. His photos spoke for themselves, quickly growing his online presence. “I try to make sure all my work is very clean, correct, and professional,” he explains. That consistency paid off, bringing in new clients and opportunities far beyond his local area. Today, he has a following of over 64,000 people.
From that point on, his career accelerated.
Now based in Tryon, North Carolina, Aaron shoes some of the top horses in the country. Some of which are FEI dressage horses, elite jumpers, and eventers competing on the world stage. He has worked on Olympic level horses and continues striving toward that level himself. But for Aaron, the real reward isn’t just where the work takes him, it’s what the work represents. “That’s the sense of pride I get… that I’m the one doing these horses,” he says.
Despite his success, his philosophy remains grounded in simplicity.
“I think farrier work is overcomplicated,” he says. “Keep it simple and correct.” Over time, he’s learned that horses respond best to, not dramatic fixes, but to steady, thoughtful progress.
The shortest road isn’t always the best… sometimes taking the long route is what’s right.
That mindset carries through every part of his work and his character.
Shoeing between 50 and 60 horses each week, Aaron operates on a strict five-week schedule to keep his business running efficiently. The days are long and the pace relentless, but that’s exactly how he prefers it. “I’d rather be someone who is too busy than not busy enough,” he says.
Still, what truly defines his success isn’t just his schedule or workload, it’s how he approaches people.
To Aaron, relationships are everything. From veterinarians and fellow farriers to clients, respect and communication are essential. “You have to have a professional relationship with people… that’s what keeps clients,” he says. Skill matters, but connections with both the horse and owner matters just as much.
And while his craft is a big part of who he is, it’s not all that defines him.
At home, Aaron is a husband and proud father of two boys, raising his family in the same environment that shaped him. Like steel shaped between hammer and anvil. Aaron and his families lives are surrounded by horses, cattle, and the great outdoors. Carrying on a family legacy, both of his sons ride and are cowboys in the making. Despite the demands of his career, he’s intentional about making time for what matters most. Every fifth week, he lightens his schedule to focus on his family. Taking a moment to spend quality time together traveling, exploring, and creating memories.
That perspective and wisdom didn’t come without hardship.
At just 23 years old, Aaron experienced a life changing accident when a horse rolled on him, causing a mild heart attack. The experience forced him to confront how quickly life can change. From that moment on, he decided he wouldn’t wait to enjoy life.
“Don’t get too busy making a living that you forget to make a life,” he says. A principle he lives by every day.
Through dedication to his craft and the lessons life has taught him, Aaron does both.
He’s built a name at the highest levels of the industry while also creating a life rooted in family, purpose, and passion.
Because for Aaron McAbee, success isn’t just measured by the horses he shoes or the reputation he’s earned.
It’s measured in the life he’s forged along the way; one built on hard work, shaped by mentorship, driven by passion, and balanced by what matters most, his family.
If you’d like to learn more about Aaron, you can find him on Facebook