Our Story
​ 6 Generations
Manning School of Horseshoeing was established to provide a quality education to meet the demand for quality horseshoeing. Our school is located on the outskirts of Roosevelt, a town located in Northeastern Utah. MSH is run by Jacob Manning CJF, a 5th generation farrier to work in the Uintah Basin. We would like to share a short history of our family and our passion for the art of blacksmithing and farrier work. It all started in the late 1800s with a man named Joseph Neilson.​
Joseph Sinius Neilson
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Back then the Uintah Basin was a barren desert inhabited by wild horses, Native Americans and sage brush. Joseph came over to Utah from Denmark in 1875 when he was 13 years old. He had been taught blacksmithing at the age of 9 and was quick to use his trade and pick up a few others. His first established blacksmith shop was in Midway Utah, until his desire to own his own land made him sell his shop and buy land in Ashley Valley (Vernal). His Ad in the Vernal express from 1895 describes his work with "Horseshoeing a specialty". He was a a unique character in every respect and we are grateful for his family legacy.
Aroet Hale Holgate
Aoret Holgate was born in the year 1900 and was one of the first families to settle Arcadia, Utah a small community between Roosevelt and Duchesne. He grew up running the mail service for the area and homesteading his family farm. in 1920 he married Ora Nielsen, daughter of Joseph Nielsen. The automobile and tractor where just becoming widely available and mass produced parts where replacing the handmade tools made by blacksmiths. Horses were being used less and less which meant the demand for farriers dropped dramatically. The knowledge and history of horseshoeing was almost entirely lost. Between the Great Depression and lack of blacksmiths, ranchers were forced to "whack and tack" as we like to call it. Aroet was taught horsehoing by his father and mostly took care of his own horses. He lived in Arcadia farming and serving the community until the day he died.The impact they had on their family and society were immesurable and we are thankful for their part of our history.
"Sherman" Hale Holgate
Sherman Holgate was the only son of Aroet and Ora. He was born Nov. 18th on his grandmothers kitchen table in a snow storm. It seemed to set a pattern since homesteading this newly opened frontier was not an easy life. The only light came from kerosene lamps and the bathroom was a hole in the backyard with a drafty shed for some privacy. Sherm was a true Uintah Basin cowboy, even as a boy he helped herd cows on cattle drives. His grandpa had a major influence on his life. He taught him how to shoe a horse and how to tell time from the shadow of a fence post so he wouldn't miss the bus when he skipped class. His early life gave him a deep abiding love for horses and cattle. He was well know for his ability to tame animals and won ribbons from many cattle shows. He was a big part of his Sons of the Utah Pioneers where he organized trail rides for members and taught horseshoeing. He traveled widely and met many famous figures. Among them was Roy Rogers and in 1962 was with him at their first televised stock show. He was also in the movie, "The Electric Horseman" starring Robert Redford. For a time he owned the Red Rose Ranch where he dealt in quality horses and cattle. Eventually he moved to Missoula, Montana where he died in 2008. He was a good man, who gave much and we are proud of his heritage.
Dennis Charles Manning
Dennis Manning was born
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