farrier

The work

Farriers make and fit shoes for horses. They use similar skills to blacksmiths but blacksmiths cannot shoe horses unless they are registered as farriers.

The job involves: 

• checking the horse's leg, foot and hoof, cutting away any excess hoof growth and making sure that the horse is properly balanced 
• choosing the most suitable type of shoe for the horse's size, foot condition, type of activity and working conditions
• making horseshoes by hand or machine
• fitting the shoes either hot or cold
• adjusting the shape of the shoes if necessary, using a hammer and anvil 
• working with veterinary surgeons and equine hospitals to provide corrective shoeing and surgical farriery.

Most farriers are self-employed and will usually organise their own bookings and order their own stock and tools. The work will often involve keeping accounts and generating new business.

Hours and Environment

As a farrier your working hours will vary according to the needs of your customers. You may work some weekends.

As the job will involve visiting your customers' premises, such as farms, riding schools or stables, you will need a driving licence. The work can be physically demanding.

Skills and Interests

To be a farrier you should:

• enjoy working with horses, and ideally have some practical experience
• have good co-ordination and manual skills
• have physical strength and stamina
• have good communication skills to work with horse owners and vets
• be able to organise appointments, keep accurate records and deal with payments and accounts.

Entry

As a farrier you must by law be registered with the Farriers’ Registration Council. The only way you can register is to do a four year apprenticeship with an approved training farrier.

To do an apprenticeship you need:

• to be aged at least 16
• a placement with an approved training farrier
• four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications and a Forging Certificate; or
• the Farriery Access course which is available at the colleges approved to run the block-release study part of the apprenticeship.

The Forging Certificate includes 14 forging exercises and a timed assessment.

You must also have a medical examination, which you have to pay for yourself.

Please contact the Farriery Training Agency for:

• a guide to the apprenticeship
• a list of approved training farriers
• details of colleges approved to run the block-release study part of the apprenticeship
• details of the Forging Certificate
• details of the costs involved.

See Further Information below for contact details.

Only 80 to 100 apprentices are taken on each year, so there is a lot of competition. You are likely to need to move to another part of the country to find an approved training farrier who has a placement for new trainees.

If you want to find out more, but are not ready to start a formal apprenticeship, you can do a one-year blacksmithing and equine studies course at the colleges approved to offer farriery training.

Training

On the farriery apprenticeship you will get experience with an approved training farrier and complete 23 weeks' block-release study at a college approved by the Farriery Training Agency. Your training will lead to the NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Farriery.

When you have completed the NVQ/SVQ you will do an exam for the Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. Once you have the diploms you can register with the Farriers’ Registration Council.

After you have registered and have enough practical experience, you will have the opportunity to achieve Associateship and/or Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. 

You might be able to become an approved training farrier once all your own training and development is complete.

Opportunities

There are about 2,900 registered farriers in the UK and demand continues to be stable due to the specialist nature of the role. The annual intake of apprentices is about 80.

As a farrier you will usually be self-employed, and must be prepared to travel around the UK or perhaps relocate to find work. Clients include farmers, horse owners and owners of riding schools and stables.

You might be able to find permanent work at large stables, horse breeders and mounted regiments of the police and army.

Some farriers become involved in the farriery supplies business or work with veterinary surgeons and in equine hospitals.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

At age 16 apprentices earn around £6,000 a year. 
Experienced farriers could earn between £30,000 and £60,000..

Further information

The Forge
10th Street
Stoneleigh Park
nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 02476 696595
Lantra House
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007

Address as for Farriers Registration Council Tel: 01733 319770

Sefton House
Adam Court
Newark Road
Peterborough
PE1 5PP
Tel: 01733 319911

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