Shoeing his first horse at 17, local farrier John Gorton says he can't imagine doing anything else.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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Gorton places the heated shoe on the horse's hoof, preparing to customize the shoe to fit.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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Gorton taps and pounds the shoe into the proper shape.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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Gorton trims the hoof of a horse before applying a new shoe.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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With a truck full of various types and sizes of horse shoe, farrier John Gorton and his co-worker, Clem Crum, right, don't have to go far to get what they need.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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Gorton attempts to calm down an unhappy donkey that needs new shoes.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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Farrier Don Reed looks over Digger's hoof as John Gorton finishes shaping the horse's shoe.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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Digger waits as farriers Don Reed and John Gorton prepare to replace his shoes.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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Heat and smoke rise as Digger gets a new set of shoes.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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One of John Gorton's clients shows off some new shoes.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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One of the horses at Woodland Oaks Ranch steps into the light.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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