Owner: Peyton Ray
Location: Cassville, Mo.
History: Peyton Ray originally hails from Southcentral Missouri, but has spent the last 12 years serving in the National Guard, both overseas and on the southern border.
Hoping to build a business of his own, he decided to become a farrier and attended Texas Horseshoeing School while still stationed in Texas.
“I came out realizing I didn’t know anything. So, I started calling around to all these horseshoers, so I didn’t get myself in a bind to see if any of them took apprentices,” Peyton said.
“The only one that answered his phone was Blane Chapman who said they were going to the 6666s Ranch and invited me to tag along. After I trimmed two horses of the 50 horses they had for us, Blane suggested that I just pull shoes for a while,” Peyton recalled with a laugh..
He worked under the tutelage of Blane Chapman for five years, while also serving in the National Guard.
Peyton came to Missouri in October to build his business while also working for an asphalt company. He traveled between Texas and Missouri shoeing horses in both states until he felt established in Missouri enough to move his family up a couple months later. Peyton’s wife, Hannah, and 5-year-old daughter, Adeline, officially moved to Missouri in December.
Peyton still serves in the National Guard but with less than a year left, he is anxious to stay in Missouri and serve his new customers.
He is hopeful to get Adeline interested in riding horses with some lessons to keep the love of equines all in the family.
Products and Services: Peyton has experience in most disciplines and corrective shoeing, while working for one of the largest ranches in Texas and also at the Brock Veterinary Clinic in Lamesa, Texas.
Now located in Cassville, Mo., Peyton is willing to travel within an hour’s drive to a customer’s location. However, he will travel further if there are several head needing his services.
He has set up a Facebook page, Ray’s Farrier Services, to help get his name out.
Philosophy: “My business philosophy comes directly from Ecclesiastes 9:10 – ‘Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.’
“I’ll always give my best work and conduct a fair and honest business.”
