Proficient with the Ponies; Dan Keen's talents honed for working with horses

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Dan Keen of Walhalla takes his custom-made traveling shop to clients' horse farms. -Staff photo by

January 30, 2003 -- "There's one thing I don't do, and that's fight with the horses. If you have to fight with a horse, there's a problem," said Dan Keen of Walhalla.

He and his wife, Kelley, have a business training horses, as well as a corrective farrier business Keen attends to.

Keen says there is a certain way to do things with horses, and once you get a horse's trust, they will do whatever the rider asks them to do. While many remember stories of "horse whisperers," Keen said he doesn't follow any certain training programs. He's just picked up what works for him with the animals he trains.

"I'm just a guy who bonds with horses," he laughed.

Growing up in nearby Fayetteville, Keen said he always knew he wanted to stay on the land. (His dad owns a ranch where he raises a Mexican breed of cattle for steer-roping.)

He said he tried construction and working on a pipeline for a short period of time, but came back to stay in the profession he really loves ... working with animals, horses in particular.

Keen and his wife work as partners in their business, since she trained in

Western Pleasure in Houston. (Kelley was injured in a car accident and is

just now feeling well enough to be helpful, again.)

"Kelley and I give (riding) lessons to people who don't know how to ride very well, and we give lessons to people who do know how to ride well, but just need 'brushing up,'" said Keen.

Along with being a corrective farrier, they offer the riding lessons, horse training and breaking, as well as training for clients who want to get into roping.

Keen was the winner of the 1998 Lariat Bowl in Gutherie, Okla., with his roping skills. Now, they attend competitions all over the country, looking for the best "jackpots," he laughed. He competes in team-roping, too.

About 16 years ago, Keen decided to hone in on his love of horses and become the best corrective farrier he could be. To accomplish this, he looked all over the country for the best farriers in the field.

"I got an education from people all over the United States. I found out whoever was the best; whoever was doing something out of the ordinary, and I called and said, 'Hi, my name's Dan Keen, and I'm coming to spend the week with you!'

"As arrogant as many of those guys are, they said, 'Great! Come on!' so I'd fly out, spend a few days with them, come home, 'chew up the meat and spit out the fat', and use the information in Texas!" said Keen.

Apparently the training worked. Keen has customers from all over the United States, and referrals from veterinarians, as well as professors at Texas A&M University (TAMU), when they have clients/owners with animals needing specialized farrier work.

"There's different kinds of diseases horses can get on their feet, and lameness problems ... like laminitis and navicular ... and I take horses that have problems moving correctly in the show ring.

Sometimes, that involves changing up the shoes on the horse and if a customer wants them to move a certain way, it's my job to do that (train them), if at all possible, said Keen.

Since he usually does his work on the customer's property, he has a traveling shop he has built in a trailer, and can take it with him, whenever and wherever it is necessary to do the job. Normally, he said he can shoe a horse in 30 minutes to an hour.

"I request a good facility, or else I can't do a good job," explained Keen.

Probably the hardest thing he faces in his chosen profession is dealing with owners who aren't as informed as they could be on situations involving their horses, but feel they are. The best part is the day-to-day working with the animals and most of the owners.

"I do enjoy the animals. I just love animals and I enjoy helping people that want to be helped. I enjoy teaching people that have the drive and the 'want to!'" said Keen.

Since he does have a specialization in his farrier business, his prices are a bit higher than many farriers in the immediate area, but he offers his clients knowledge they seek from vets or college professors. Keen has built a large customer base who tell others about his work, and that keeps him busy.

As for the future, now that Kelley is about recovered from her accident, they are hoping to continue to grow the business as partners and "stay healthy and happy."