Farrier

[Vez]

Hi, I'm 15 and in the future I would really like to be a farrier. I just wondered if there is anyone on here that can give me advice about the career. I would love to maybe spend a week or even just a day with one to get more of a feel of what the job is about. I hardly ever see my farrier as it comes while I'm at school. Also do you think it puts me at a disadvantage because I'm a girl?
Any information will be helpful! Vez xx :) :)

[Bay Mare]

Here's a link to the FRC that may be helpful:

http://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk/

It is a very male orientated career still but there's no reason that you couldn't undertake training if you're fit and strong enough.


The alternative, of course, is to go down the barefoot trimming route. There are two main schools of trimmers in the UK, both of who have good educational requirements for their qualified trimmers:

Equine Podiatrists who currently qualify using the KC La Pierre method:

http://www.equinepodiatry.net

also see the EPAUK which is the UK association (you still have to do the KC course):

http://www.aepauk.org

or AANHCP

http://www.aanhcp.net/

http://www.uknhcp.org/

[SJ wanabe]

Being a girl will not be a disadvantage you just need to be quite strong , (and do alot of hard work and training!) You can do your work experience(if you havn't already done it) with a farrier.:) Hope this helps!:D

[Vez]

Your first link is briiliant as it has lots of information! Also it has lots of contact details to lots of farriers in my area. I have a few numbers but felt that it was a bit mean ringing them up as it puts them on the spot. I can e-mail them and write to them so if they choose to ignore me they can, thanks very much! :D

[Wally]

I shoe, okay you need to be fit, but you don't need to be a muscle bound hairy gorrilla! Your hands will be like sandpaper, and the sweat will drip off the end of your nose.

To get accepted you need to prove you are up for the task. Learn to weld an do basic smithing NOW. Get to the stage where you can make some fire tongs, or make a rasp into a buffer and things like that. Take the tools you have made to your interview, this will sway it in your favour if you are a lass trying to get into farriery.

Buy Hickman's Farriery now and read it so when you are interviewed you can speak with some knowledge of the structure and flight of the foot etc.

The person who taught me was a lass, and a darned good farrier.

[Vez]

Cou you also say how much it costs to become a farrier?

[Wally]

No idea!

There are college coureses you can do, IN Scotland I think you can do nothing but college work and become qualified, But then it's hard to find work unless you go it alone. Farriers won't empploy collage trained farriers for more than the minimus wage due to "lack of experience" farriers won't work for minimum wage, (I don't blame them) so they have to go it alone.

If you find a training master who will take you on and train you on the job you'll earn a bit while learning, and I think you go on day release to college for the theory stuff.

The toools are expensive, NEVER buy cheap tools, take out a bank loan, but buy the best you can.

[shandy84]

My OH is an apprentice, it is a very hard course and you are on miserable wages but if you enjoy it and pass your exams you have a good skill under your belt.

Definatly read Hickmans but also read No Foot No Horse and anything else you can on foot conditions, general good knowledge and horse handling techniques are a real plus.

My OH's boss has employed a girl trainee and she is doing really well, you have to have a tough skin to stand up for yourself as you will be working in an all male environment. Also ask your local farrier to take you out and show you some forging if they are a nice farrier they may well oblige. :)

[mayoguinness]

Look into barefoot trimming too, don't limit yourself, see what everyone has to say and see what makes the most sense. There our lots of female barefoot trimmers I know as well so you wouldn't be at to much of a disadvantige I shouldn't think:)

[Vez]

Look into barefoot trimming

I really want to do that as I keep my horse barefoot and think she benefits from it so I would love to do both. :)

[mayoguinness]

Well that would be great. Only problem is Farriers and Barefoot trimmers don't tend to get on to well from what I've seen so far, as long as you keep out of that one:)

[Vez]

Well, I would like to do both so that I can get enough business as I don't think just doing barefoot trimming will get enough business, Whats your opinion on that? Do you think they are just as demanded as farriers that shoe?

[mayoguinness]

I beleive it all depends on what sort of barefoot trim as to the demand, I couldn't say really for sure, I guess you just gotta experement, I'm very pro barefoot trimmers so I can't give a very even outlook;)

[suneanarab]

my eldest son has nearly finished his first year at college gaining his core skills (you need math, english and 2 other gcse's) welding, forging and horse care management. every holiday at home he has been working with our farrier and has a job with him as soon as he finishes college. he will work with darren for a year to 18 months for darren to make sure he is dedicated enough and will then do his full apprenticeship.

ryan is currently at chichester college and there are several girls doing the same course.

if you find even a local blacksmith who will aloow you to gain experience in the forge this will help.

good luck!!