1000 percent right THORN - Great Job.. He shod for the best of the best at RR Jimmy Cruise, Larry Summer, Buddy G, Richie LaCava, The Mcardles, Sarama, Aurigemma and especially Rejean Daigneault and lil ole me when I needed help and could squeeze in.. Correct about the patch. He developed something with 3M. i remember mid 80s he was summoned to Belmot day before the Stakes and patched a major, major horse. It was that or scratch. not sure if he won, but the horse raced well. Be damned if i remember his name. I heard he charged 2500. Along with his sidekick Billy K. maybe the greatest shoeing team ever. John was asshole buddies with earl Cruise and like earl had major issues with alcohol. catch John right, he'd give you the knowledge and shirt off his back, but when he was in nasty drunk mode, look out.