Like the pastoral four-acre oasis on Stubble Road in old Ashburn that he enjoys with his wife Virginia, farrier John LaRocque, 63, provides us with a window into our community’s past. A specialist in equine hoof care and the fabrication and adjustment of the metal shoes attached to a horse’s hooves, LaRocque has practiced these skills for over 30 years.
The LaRocques have lived at their farm next to the W&OD Trail since 1977, a year after they were married. But the path to this career–certainly unique for suburban eastern Loudoun–took many unexpected turns before the LaRocques arrived here.
An Illinois native and “Navy brat,” LaRocque attended the University of Illinois before enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he was trained as a medic and served two tours in Vietnam with the 2nd Brigade, 27th Infantry Division. He was twice wounded in combat, and after being discharged from the Army, he worked as a logger on the West Coast for a year. He then decided to resume his education, earning a degree in History from Southern Illinois University in 1973.
After college, LaRocque joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Honduras, where he worked with the natives to develop beekeeping businesses. After returning to the States, he put his medical background to use selling pharmaceuticals for the Upjohn Company, and later worked as a real estate agent. At that point, he was ready for a change.
“I wanted a job that offered me four things,” recalled LaRocque. “To be able to work with my hands, to have people happy to see me, to get paid for what I had done for them, and to be able to see the results of my work… and also, to go home when I was done.”
After first considering carpentry, LaRocque enrolled in the Eddie Warrington Farrier School in Townsend, Del., where he learned the trade, from fabricating the correct horseshoe to repairing damaged hooves.
The LaRocques soon purchased the property on Stubble Road, where John started building his farrier business and Virginia moved up in the executive ranks of Fairfax County Government. As the neighborhood changed–with new housing developments and shopping centers springing up around them–the LaRocques continued to enjoy their virtual garden spot, raising their family surrounded by horses, chickens, dogs, cats and beehives.
Changing Times
Over three decades in the farrier business, LaRocque has noticed a fundamental change in horse ownership in the area. “It used be that the mother had horses as a kid, and grew up with them,” explained LaRocque. “Now, when someone’s daughter wants to have a horse, they just get some advice and go out and buy one. But they don’t really know beans about horses…they try to come up to speed, but they’re clueless.”
Clearly, the passage of time has reduced the number of horses in eastern Loudoun; in addition to the five horses on the LaRocque’s farm, a neighbor still keeps a few horses. But that’s about all.
“Years ago, it was not unusual to see several horses a day on the (W&OD) trail, but now its maybe one a month–if it’s not one of ours,” said LaRocque.
As a result, LaRocque takes his service on the road, shoeing horses in Great Falls and other areas where people still keep horses, and he has built up a substantial clientele. Actually, he prefers taking his specially equipped Ford farrier’s truck to their stables, rather than having the horses brought to him.
Most people find it interesting to watch LaRocque replace the shoes on a horse, often weighing up to 1,000 pounds. His confidence and years of experience working with the animals have taught him the best methods to use–and what to watch out for.
LaRocque explains that it is best to do the rear shoes first, since it’s better to be working on the front hooves when a horse begins to tire or become skittish, since they can deliver a nasty kick with their hindquarters.
Another difficulty a farrier can face when holding up a hoof is for the horse–then standing on three legs–to lean against him. “That’s easy to fix. I just hold them to the last moment, then drop them,” he said. “They won’t fall all the way down, but they won’t do it again.” There are still risks involved, and LaRocque has twice suffering broken ribs in encounters with nervous horses, and blackened fingernails from a misguided hammer strike.
Wet weather can be the most damaging to a horse’s hooves, with exposure for only a few hours causing the hooves to lose much of their strength. “Dew on the grass can even do it,” notes LaRocque.
Adding to his initial training as a farrier, LaRocque has kept up with the advances in his trade, including the use of a special resin to repair damaged hooves. “It was developed from a dental acrylic which worked well on teeth, but was too rigid and would break off of the part it was attached to,” explained LaRocque. “The new material is not as brittle, more like the original hoof.” He also points out that shoes are manufactured for the right or left hoof, front or back, and are marked that way.
Keeping Busy
Even though he is approaching retirement age, LaRocque intends to continue shoeing horses, since he enjoys the work and the clients he serves. He recently had his truck repainted, and “…since it’s a diesel, it should last another 100,000 miles,” he added. Virginia retired from Fairfax County a few years ago, but immediately went to work for Loudoun County Public Libraries, where she is the division manager for public service, staffing, training and outreach.
Both John and Virginia enjoy riding, and with their daughters grown, several youngsters from the community come by regularly to ride their horses. In addition, the LaRocques frequently host picnics and other outdoor events at their farm for children brought to Ashburn by a social service agency from Fairfax County.
Most recently, John LaRocque has started a new beehive on the property, recalling his days in Honduras in the Peace Corps–and adding what he has learned from his friends in the Loudoun Beekeepers Association.
And as it is with his many other interests, he is happy to share his knowledge and experience with the visitors who come to his farm.
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