The Swann brothers hail from Irish heritage and a long line of horse professionals. Their Grandfather Alex was the Riding Master of the prestigious Eglonton Hunt Club in Toronto. Their father Bill reined as the premier Hunter Jumper trainer for fifty-three years at the “Moxahela Estate” in Gates Mills, Ohio. Third generation horsemen Todd and Pat Swann grew up on the estate and lived and breathed horses. Todd went on to become a renowned farrier, Pat a highly-successful horse trainer.
What made them the resounding successes they are today? “That we owe to our father.” Both Todd and Pat agree. “Dad was old school and instilled that professionalism in us.” Todd recalls a blacksmith by the name of Stanley who would come to the estate every six weeks. “Dad had total faith in him.” That left quite an impression on young Todd. Ironically, it was then that he decided he wanted to become a blacksmith.
Todd and Pat have been in the horse business now for over thirty-five years. I asked Todd about changes during that time. “The horse business runs in cycles,” he said. “The same applies to the blacksmith trade. There are new technologies, trends, issues. Years ago it appeared that gluing horseshoes was going to be the norm, the wave of the future. Not so, only about 1/10th percent of horses get glued on shoes.”
What is the ideal work day for you, Todd? He’s done four horses already and it’s not even ten o’clock.
He chuckles. “Knowing that all the horses are going to stand well and be polite.” We all know that’s not going to happen, so seriously. “When I’m shoeing a horse, I’m working for today, but I’m also looking for where I want the horse’s feet to be in six weeks, six months, and six years. That’s an ideal day. That’s how my mind works.”
I ask about the physical challenges of blacksmithing and Todd knocks on wood. “I’ve been fortunate to not have had any serious injuries. One of the nicest things about being at this point in my career, I can pick and choose horses. That way I can do what I do best for the horse and the rider.”
I agree. “Do you ever pick and choose clients?”
“Well, sometimes you see a barn going in a direction you discreetly pull yourself from.”
Such as?
“Switching trainers for one. Hard work is cumulative on horses. Sometimes a new trainer comes in and wants to shake things up, when most of what you need is patience to keep the horse sound for the long haul.”
Todd is known as one of the nicest men in the business. Everyone likes Todd, but he can be a little hard to reach. He can only be contacted by phone at home between 7-8:00 in the morning, no cell phone, etc. He acknowledges that for some that is a bother. “But it’s like the old family doctor; you knew when to call them, and you did. I used to use an answering machine but I’m gone all day and by the time I would get home at night, I had some anxious customers. Some had called several times.” Todd feels taking calls at a certain time each day makes the horsemen and horsewomen responsible for their horse. “That hour each morning is for them,” he says, “and I’m always happy to talk to them.”
Does being in such a demanding profession affect your family?
“Yes, I have a wife and children and the kids learned early on that summer was show season and there would be no vacations in the summer for us. We took our family vacations in the winter and that worked out great. With me growing up on a working estate, you learn to adjust your priorities. My dad’s job paid the freight, and at times, as his children, we had to suck it up. We didn’t always get our way, but looking back, that was a good thing.
“My weekends are for my family. I used to be on the Geauga County Fair board and spend time at the fairs, but generally I’m home Saturday and Sundays. I also have grandchildren now.”
Todd mostly shoes Hunter Jumpers and Field Hunters, but has done it all, and is from a generation of blacksmiths that still uses a coal forge. He’s also agreeable to those of us who like our horses barefoot, but with a stipulation. “As long as it works for the horse, it works for me.” Is it any wonder, he’s in such demand? It’s all about the horse, always.
Three of Pat’s students and Pat’s wife Elizabeth have just tacked up so we follow them to the arena. It’s a gorgeous autumn day! The sun is shining, the trees are turning color. Pat is a hands-on trainer and still rides occasionally. He is a strong advocate of long-lining, and I marvel whenever I watch him put a horse through its paces. He smiles. “It takes skill, and if you do it all the time….”
Pat pauses for a moment, observing the horses as they start warming up. “When I was young, my dad showed me how to long-line using a snow fence as a round pen. He would work the horse for thirty minutes.” Over the years, Pat has earned a reputation for rehabbing horses. “Lower limb problems start in the back” he says. That’s why he is such an advocate of long-lining. “It creates a collected start of muscle that is going to pay off. You’re not forcing the horse to carry weight under these circumstances which allows them to develop those back muscles.
“I see way too many hock injections these days. People used to do more ground work than they do now. With long-lining, you watch for a willingness of the horse. When they flex at the poll, you’re on the right track. Willingness is crucial; it’s an indication of readiness. With long-lining, you can also see where the horse’s tiredness sets in. Happy horses are easy to train. When they’re not happy, no one can train them.”
We are watching four happy horses, thanks to months of training under the care of Pat Swann. “Did you always want to train horses?” I ask.
He smiles. “I was an English major in school.”
We all have to laugh. After all, he does train “English.”
“I love what I’m doing,” he says.
Todd motions to the horse Elizabeth is riding, referencing the sound way it is hitting the ground. “It’s a funny thing, but if a horse’s foot is too short, it won’t grow. The blood flow is affected. A long foot grows like a weed. I’ve done that horse three times now. We’re almost where we want him.” Longer, not shorter? “Sometimes you need a horse’s foot to grow so that it will get sound.”
Pat and Todd have taken different yet similar paths in their equestrian careers. Both like the fact that they run their own business, the way they want to run it, and enjoy going to work every morning. “I can make a change,” Pat says. “I can make a difference too. And I have. I can emphasize what I think is important in a horse and rider and what has proven successful.”
Years ago, a barn had one trainer. Very few have that privilege today. Show barns are similar to racetrack barns in that aspect. This particular barn has over sixty horses and a total of five trainers. “We all get along,” Pat says. “We learn to accommodate one another. One can’t manipulate the arenas. It just won’t work that way.”
I asked both Todd and Pat how the economy has affected their business. Todd has two hundred client horses. “I’m busy, but the horse business has definitely been affected. For the most part, horses are a luxury.”
Pat trains A-Level horses. Shows are bigger and further from the barn, costlier in practical terms. “When we load up and head out, we’re taking Grand Prix prospects and upper level entries. These horses are expensive to begin with. We’re taking our best and want to do our best. That’s where all the barn work, training, and long-lining pays off.”
As Pat walks away to start the lesson, Todd and I settle back in our chairs. Todd admits it is a rare treat to just sit and watch his brother train, and instantly he is an Irish lad with an Irish brogue. “But he’s my brother. And I have an interest in every one of those horses.”
Me too. When the horses are all warmed up, they’re going to be schooled over jumps and I wouldn’t miss that for the world. I joke that we should have brought popcorn and soda. But in reality, it just doesn’t get any better than this. Their father and grandfather would be so proud. I can almost hear the lilt of their voices in the soft warm breeze, “Well done, boys. Well done.”