Ray Lee, MS, MSOP, CF
Bridging Biomechanics, Farriery, Orthotics and Prosthetics
One of Ray Lee’s earliest memories is his great uncle Tony’s funeral. Tony had served as a cavalry farrier during the Second World War, the “Big Dub Dub Dos” as some call it, working on the mules that carried supplies across the mountainous regions of Europe. Although Ray doesn’t remember meeting him personally, stories shared by Tony’s brothers painted a vivid picture of a skilled, tough craftsman—no embellishment required, of course.
Rooted in Rural Ingenuity
Ray grew up on a small farm in Lenawee County, rural Michigan, surrounded by machinery, livestock, and a family culture of hands-on problem-solving. His father, a mechanical engineer for General Motors’ Hydramatic Division, spent his days working on automatic transmission design. Ironically, every vehicle on their farm—except his mother’s car—was equipped with a manual transmission, and to this day, Ray admits that nearly every drive in an automatic, involves at least one reflexive “brake check” as his left foot searches for a clutch.
His father was also a relentless tinkerer and entrepreneur, running side businesses in machine tool trading, machining, custom fabrication, and farming—often working well after sunset. Growing up in that environment, Ray learned to sharpen tool steel and drill bits, stick weld, braze, and oxyacetylene weld, and by his teenage years, he would burn through at least a 50-pound box of welding rod each summer.
Farm Life and Early Entrepreneurship
The family kept livestock, with horses mostly belonging to his sisters until Ray reached his teenage years. He threw himself into 4-H and FFA, showing a variety of animals—including a driving team of goats that pulled a hitch wagon he built himself, using wheels, hubs, and a master cylinder salvaged from a Pontiac Grand Am, along with red oak from a local sawmill.
His entrepreneurial streak showed early. He took out a Young Farmer’s Loan through the FSA to buy feeder cattle, raised freezer beef and broilers, and even ran a small scrap-metal business with his one-ton truck, to which he had added a dump bed. These experiences grounded him in both the practical and business sides of animal agriculture.
Academic Foundation at Michigan State
Ray’s passion for animal movement and agricultural systems led him to Michigan State University, where he earned a B.S. in Animal Science, along with specializations in Agronomy and Agribusiness Management. He balanced a full-time class load while working nearly full-time at the MSU Dairy Teaching and Research Farm, where the morning milking shift began at 3 a.m. It was at this farm that he met Molly, who would later become his wife.
After his second year at MSU, just one week before final exams at the end of the spring semester, Ray was in a serious motorcycle wreck that left him with a broken leg, a dislocated shoulder, a broken vertebra, a sprained wrist, and a closed head injury that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. He was fortunate, though—he healed quickly and returned to classes that fall, determined not to let the accident derail his goals. His recovery was a testament to both resilience and sheer stubborn will.
During this period, his relationship with Molly deepened, even through a long-distance stretch while she pursued her veterinary degree at Iowa State University. Ray spent alternating weekends working at the dairy, and on his off weekends, he drove from Michigan to Iowa. “I had I-80 memorized,” he recalls. Once when Molly was headed to Michigan for the holidays, she called from “somewhere in Illinois,” Ray asked for the mile marker and promptly told her exactly how many miles to the next exit and what services were there—she thought he was joking. He wasn’t.
A Farrier Career Begins
After completing his degree, Ray moved to Iowa to join Molly and sought ways to combine his love of biomechanics with a career. He found a farrier course at Iowa State University, taught by Jamey Carsel, CJF. He excelled in the 16-week program and was offered the position of Assistant Farrier at ISU. He also joined the American Farriers Association and took biomechanics coursework.
When Jamey sustained a back injury, Ray ran the ISU Farrier Shop solo for two years until Doug Russo, CJF, AWCF, became the Resident Farrier in 2014.
Life Transitions and Health Battles
2013-2014 were pivotal years: Ray and Molly married, Molly graduated from veterinary school, and they moved to Kansas for her new job. Ray worked as a welder and tender truck driver, but life changed abruptly when he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in his right leg, that resulted in extensive damage to his femur and musculature. Treatment involved chemotherapy, radiation, and 11 surgeries. He spent about a year on crutches, focused on recovery.
Return to Iowa and Academic Growth
In 2015, they returned to Iowa for Molly’s post-doctoral work in public health with the Center for Food Security and Public Health (CFSPH). Despite ongoing radiation therapy, Ray enrolled in graduate courses, worked at ISU’s veterinary college and dairy farm, and drove the transit buses for the City of Ames, “CyRide.” Molly completed her MPH and continued her work with CFSPH.
Ray developed a strong mentorship with Dr. Jennifer Schleining, sharing a mutual fascination with biomechanics. This led to an interdisciplinary master’s program involving Drs. Schleining (Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine), Tim Derrick (Kinesiology), and Leo Timms (Animal Science), where he focused on laminitis in cattle from a biomechanical perspective. His thesis, Biomechanical Analysis of the Bovine Lamina, marked a significant academic milestone.
Expanding Horizons: Orthotics and Prosthetics
While searching for research roles, Ray discovered an opening at Hanger Clinic, which required a Master’s Degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics (MSOP). In 2019, he enrolled in the program in Minnesota, living in his van during the week and commuting home on weekends.
He honed his fabrication skills at Tillges before joining Hanger Clinic as a technician. In 2023, after completing his MSOP, he became a Clinical Resident in Orthotics and Prosthetics, with board certification on the horizon. Though most of his patients are human, he recently fitted a donkey with a below-carpal socket prosthesis—a perfect fusion of his animal and prosthetic expertise. He completed his residency in October 2025 with aspirations of completing his exams to be certified and licensed in this field and plans on starting a clinic where he will work on both human and veterinary cases.
Staying True to Farriery
Ray continued to pursue farriery alongside his academic and clinical career. He earned his Certified Farrier (CF) designation, posting the highest practical score on his certification day, thanks to the mentorship of figures like Doug Russo, Jacob and Pete Butler, and Ray Legel. He became active in the IPFA, where he currently serves as Treasurer.
Ray also participates in Iowa State University’s Crow Creek Outreach Program—an annual veterinary service and education trip to the Crow Creek and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota organized by the College of Veterinary Medicine. Over a several days, veterinary students, faculty, and volunteers provide free medical and surgical care for hundreds of animals, including vaccinations, parasite control, spays and neuters for cats and dogs, and castrations and dentals for horses, while offering essential public health support. A key component of the program is equine care, including trimming and basic hoof maintenance, which improves the comfort and mobility of working horses. Ray has taught tribal members practical hoof-care techniques, empowering them to maintain their animals’ health year-round. The experience gave Ray hands-on clinical and cultural engagement, deepening his appreciation for the intersection of education, community service, and animal welfare. If others have interest in participating in this rewarding program, Ray is happy to discuss how to get involved.
His worst farriery experience involved working with a client that was a poor steward of their animals and created an environment that was unsafe for all involved. The best experiences come from working with those wanting to learn, better themselves and create the best conditions in their care.
Life Outside the Forge
Beyond work, Ray and Molly share their lives with two dogs, a flock of laying chickens, and hobbies including cider and winemaking, recumbent biking, and community service. He serves on the Story County Planning and Zoning Committee, and the couple was recently approved as foster parents, adding a new and meaningful dimension to their lives.
Lessons for the Next Generation
Ray’s advice to aspiring farriers and professionals is simple but profound:
“Study anatomy and biomechanics. Seek out mentors who understand the whole horse. And lean on your professional community—they’ll be there when you need them.”
Ray Lee’s journey is a testament to curiosity, resilience, and the deep connections between animal biomechanics, craftsmanship, and innovation. From rural Michigan to advanced prosthetics, his story bridges tradition and modern science—honoring the legacy of farriers past while forging new paths for the future.