25/03/2024
Mick Dempsey has been our farrier for almost 26 years. He was recommended to me, when the Shelter was located in Diamond Creek, by my fencer, Dennis. Dennis only did fencing so he could finance the upkeep of his own horses.
When I first called Mick to see if he could take on the donkeys, his wife answered my call with "mission impossible". I didn't understand it at the time but much later realized that it was a busy time for their family as they were competing at the Royal Melbourne Show. Anyway, it all turned out in the end.
For the first few years, Mick was a very quiet man who mainly answered with “yes” or “no”, but as our working relationship advanced we now talk endlessly! We share an interest in tennis, so the Australian Open is a hot topic in January.
In his earlier life, Mick had been a long distance truck driver, which meant he was away from home a great deal. This, together with his own interest in horses, led him to approach his brother-in-law for an apprenticeship to become a farrier. It is a full-time 4-year apprenticeship, which, like all apprenticeships, is not very well paid. To support his family during these years, Mick had an evening job to make ends meet.
It seems to me that Mick has always been a worker and always turns up no matter what the weather. We have worked together in all sorts of conditions, including storms and 40-degree heat. He always looks as fresh as a daisy while I look like something the cat has dragged in! Over the years we have often discussed all the calls I get from people trying to get a farrier for their donkeys. There is a reluctance by farriers to see donkeys. Mick feels that the main issue is the low size of the donkeys compared to horses. The continual crouching is not good for the farrier's back.
When I decided to sell Diamond Creek and move to Tongala, I thought I might have to find a new farrier, but no, Mick drives up early on a Tuesday morning and away we go. Recently, he has talked about retirement which brought storm clouds on the horizon for me, but no, I will be the last client to go when the time comes.
He is very gifted and knowledgeable about equines, but I only learnt this over time. There are many tricks to the trade with less cooperative equines and Mick knows them all! As you can imagine, some of the donkeys in our care have survived terrible owners, so trust is an issue with them. However, I can always rely on Mick to find a way. In more recent times, he has become involved with other aspects of Shelter, including coming with me to help with the more difficult rescue situations, for which I am forever grateful. He also does the feet of some of my donkeys in carer homes.
The donkeys have been fortunate to have Mick as their farrier, and so have I.
May