For centuries, the economy of Novara di Sicilia was closely tied to the land. Farming families cultivated small vegetable gardens for their daily needs and mainly used land to grow wheat and hazelnuts. Livestock farming provided the animals essential to rural life. It was a life shaped by hard work, the rhythm of the seasons and the challenges of difficult weather conditions. But it was also a life rich in traditions, knowledge and shared memory.
One of the most important activities within local farming culture was farriery, the ancient craft of caring for the hooves of horses and cattle. The practice includes trimming and shoeing and takes its name from the farrier. Its origins date back to ancient times. Introduced by eastern peoples and later spread through to western Europe by the Gauls, it was also adopted by the Romans, who used the hipposandal, a metal protection for horses’ hooves.
Even today, the farrier plays an essential role in animal welfare. The choice of horseshoe varies according to the horse’s work and can significantly improve both health and movement. To carry out this specialised work, farriers use specialist tools such as hammers, pincers, hoof knives and anvils, while still drawing on traditional safety practices such as the so-called “Etruscan method”. The patron saint of farriers, Saint Eligius, is a symbol of a craft that continues to be passed down through the generations.