Don't talk to the ex if you don't have to! But thank you. The farrier idea is a fairly new one that I haven't put a ton of thought into yet, but now that I am thinking about it, I'm realizing that I know more than a few people who deal with horses in one way or another and I can certainly pick their brains and ask for some contacts. For many years I wanted to be a horse vet, and always wished I could make a living as a blacksmith... Maybe I've just been missing my calling all along. I used to spend summers working on my aunts horse farms and really loved the animals and just the overall atmosphere. Blades and tools have always been what I've really wanted to bang out on my anvil, but the farrier thing is making more and more sense, I need a change in my life and work, I know it's a long road starting as an apprentice at my age, but gotta start somewhere, right? And what better time than now...
Oh sorry, I forgot to answer your other questions. I'm in northwest Queens, pretty much at the foot of the 59th street bridge (grew up not far from Elmont though). I'd love to forge in my workshop in the basement, but even with a more than adequate air exchange system and keeping the propane tank outside, I'd be a bit nervous. Not sure if that's a good idea. I don't have a garage but do have a very small backyard. I could set up out there but either securing my tools/equipment or bringing them in and out every day would be a hassle. It's not a bad neighborhood but chances are very high that anything kept out back, even with a padlock on the gate, would walk away.