Bruce Adamson’ s
Horseshoe Art
~ by Chrissy Alspaugh
There’ s no predicting the exact piece of art that will emerge when Bruce Adamson’ s twopound sledge begins working a glowing-hot horseshoe.
The farrier-and-artist, now a featured member at Hoosier Artist Gallery, knows that forged steel and equines, more often than not, have minds of their own.
42 Our Brown County Jan./ Feb. 2023 courtesy photos
But Adamson is uniquely attuned to watching a situation unfold and adjusting his plans accordingly: he’ s also a Baptist pastor who has followed God’ s unexpected plans for his life more times than he can count.
“ I just keep a smile on my face and keep following Him,” Adamson said with a laugh.“ God strengthens us to do whatever He gives us to do.” So far, the 67-year-old has been given a lot. Adamson was 13 when his family bought its first horse. He was fascinated watching the farrier form horseshoes on an old coal forge. At age 18, Adamson began learning the trade himself. He fell in love with every aspect of the equine world, and even met his eventual-wife, Sheryl, in 4-H.
After high school, Adamson attended IUPUI and became an X-ray technician.
But at 21, he felt a calling to preach. He began shadowing several ministers over the next eight years, all while working in the field of radiology, as a farrier on the weekends,