I'm Paul McNamara — a farrier born to the trade in the west of Ireland, now caring for the horses of Sonoma and Marin. Hot shoeing, trimming, and corrective work, done the old way.
I grew up in County Galway, where farriery wasn't a profession so much as a way of life. By the time I was fifteen I was holding hooves and learning to read a horse's stance — a language you only learn by doing.
Three decades on, I bring that same patience to every horse I work with here in California — from backyard companions to working ranch horses and competition mounts.
"A good shoe is shaped to the horse, not the horse to the shoe."
Full-service farriery, tailored to each horse, hoof, and discipline.
Custom-forged shoes shaped to each hoof — the way it's been done for generations.
Precise hoof care to keep your horse sound, level, and moving freely.
Therapeutic shoeing for lameness, conformation issues, and recovery.
Specialty work for jumpers, eventers, dressage, and trail companions.
Big horses, big shoes — experience with Clydesdales, Percherons, and crosses.
Patient guidance for owners moving their horses to a barefoot programme.
"Ní neart go cur le chéile — there is no strength without unity. The same is true of a horse and its farrier."
Mobile farrier service across both counties. Standing barn appointments and private clients welcome — from backyard companions to ranch and competition horses.
From the Petaluma river ranches up through Sonoma Valley wine country to Healdsburg and the Russian River, Paul services backyard horses, working ranches, and competition barns alike.
Across the Marin hills — from the trails of Point Reyes and Nicasio to the show barns of Novato and San Rafael — Galway Farrier brings a full mobile forge to your stable.
Looking for a farrier in Sonoma County or a mobile horseshoer in Marin? Galway Farrier travels to your stable across the North Bay, from Petaluma and Santa Rosa down through Novato and San Rafael to the Point Reyes coast.
Common questions from horse owners across Sonoma and Marin.
Fully mobile across Sonoma County and Marin County — Petaluma, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Glen Ellen, Novato, San Rafael, Point Reyes, Nicasio, and the ranches in between.
Most North Bay horses are on a 6–8 week cycle. Performance and corrective cases sometimes need tighter. We'll set a cycle that fits your horse.
Yes — a full mobile forge travels with the truck. Hot shoeing in the traditional Irish manner, whenever your barn allows.
Yes. Galway Farrier is actively taking new private clients and standing barn appointments across Sonoma and Marin. Call or text (415) 999-5256.
Yes. Thirty years of corrective farriery — laminitis, navicular, club feet, cracks, and post-injury rehab — working alongside your vet.
Call or send a note — I answer every message myself. New clients welcome across Sonoma and Marin.