Horseless Detroit Department Employs ... Horseshoer

Detroit's Water and Sewerage Department doesn't have any horses—but if it ever gets any, it's totally prepared. The city employs a "horseshoer," whose job it is "to shoe horses and to do general blacksmith work ... and to perform related work as required," Michigan Capitol Confidential reports, noting that the job description was last revised in 1967. The horseshoer makes $29,245 a year, with $27,000 in benefits.

A rep for the department explains the post: "DWSD has a blacksmith shop in our Central Services Facility," he says. That shop "also ... repairs equipment and works with various metals and welding for the department when needed." The current horseshoer was transferred from Detroit's police department, which does have horses, he notes. The job was listed in a report on the DWSD calling for 80% of its workforce to be cut. (More horses stories.)