Woman thought to be one of KY’s first female farriers dies; coroner seeks her family
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A Lexington woman who the Fayette County Coroner’s Office believes is one of the state’s first female blacksmiths and farriers has died, and the coroner is asking for the public’s help finding her family.
Mindy A. King, 69, died of natural causes April 21 at her home on Kearney Road, the coroner’s office said in a news release Friday.
She is thought to have been born in Louisville or Cincinnati and was twice widowed.
The coroner said King’s sister-in-law, from whom she was estranged, was notified of her death and provided some information.
The release said King’s sister-in-law told the coroner she thinks King and her brother, who may be an attorney living in Louisville or Cincinnati, were adopted. King’s brother’s last name may be German, but King’s maiden name is not known.
King’s first husband and their twin children died in a car accident that resulted in King being hospitalized for an extended period. The coroner does not know where the crash occurred.
King’s second husband, John L. “Pete” King, died April 20, 2009.
A resume for a Mindy King of Lexington on the professional networking site bold.pro lists her as a self-employed blacksmith and equine therapist with 43 years of professional experience.
“I am a dedicated adaptable horseman that is not afraid to jump in and get the job done,” the resume stated. “I love horses and take pride in my horsemanship skills, barn, keeping everything in place organized clean and ready for whatever presented.
“I am able to see horses for the individual that they are and try to improve their unique challenges.”
The resume said she learned the blacksmithing and farrier profession from her grandfather.
“So I got to start when very young,” the resume stated. “Went on to apprentice on the track and was first woman to be licensed to shoe on track.”
“Everything from pulling old shoes to finishing each hoof is very important and should not be taken lightly,” King’s resume said. “I take a lot of pride in doing the very best work for every individual horse from start to finish with patience.”
The website indicated she had worked with horse trainers Kenny McPeek, Brian House and Lloyd Gentry.
Anyone with information about King’s relatives is asked to call the Fayette County Coroner’s Office at 859-455-5700.
