Iron Livestock Tool

Bhutan had a long tradition of iron extraction and blacksmithery. According to historical records, Bhutan was also supplying a lot of iron to Tibet, particularly through the famous Tibetan bridge builder and saint, Thangtong Gyalpo, to be used for building iron chain bridges over big rivers. Bhutan's foremost saint Pema Lingpa also practised blacksmithery in the 15th century in central Bhutan. Traditionally, the blacksmiths in Bhutan produced a wide range of agricultural tools and also tools for livestock. In addition to knives, axes, shovels and spades used on animal farms, other things such as horse shoes, saddle parts and nose rings. Today, production of such tools by local blacksmiths have stopped.