Roland's nags and nails: going back to college
Roland has been working hard preparing his coursework before returning to college for the end of his second year of training
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Roland's nags and nails: the trimming penny has dropped
Apprentice farrier Roland is pleased with the progress he is made with trimming the hoof, but is back at the start when it comes to fitting shoes
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Roland's nags and nails: lost shoes a plenty
Farrier's apprentice Roland Thompson reflects on the effect the constantly changing weather is having on horses' feet
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Roland's nags and nails: preparing for my end of year exams
Roland is looking ahead to his end of year exams and wonders whether a teaching post might suit in the future
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Roland's nags and nails: how I look at horses has changed forever
Farrier's apprentice Roland Thompson reflects on how his training has changed the way he appraises a horse
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Roland's nags and nails: hooked on the Olympics
New technology has enabled Roland to keep abreast of the equestrian events while working and on the move, as well as simplifying the admin side of the business
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Roland's nags and nails: a horny-handed son of toil
Roland Thompson reflects on some of the physical changes that have taken place since he swapped his office job for some good old-fashioned hard work
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Roland's nags and nails: water, water everywhere . . .
Roland has spent much of the week reinstated the forge after it was overwhelmed by flood water
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Roland's nags and nails: 'how hard can it be'?!
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson reflects on the enormity of retraining to become a farrier
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Roland's nags and nails: kept awake by a rogue rabbit
A wild rabbit camping out in your bedroom is one of the more unusual reasons for a customer to be late for their shoeing appointment
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Roland's nags and nails: what's with the weather?
While rain doesn't stop play for farriers, many of Roland's clients are feeling the effects on the ongoing disappointing 'summer' weather
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Roland's nags and nails: three down, five to go
Roland returns from college full of new knowledge and reflects on the fact he spends more time with his training farrier than his wife
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Roland's nags and nails: and then there were three...
Apprentice farrier Roland has started the last week of his latest college block and his tally of successfully shod feet has now reached three
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Roland's nags and nails: fitting and nailing on my first shoe
Our apprentice farrier had a watershed moment at college as he fitted and nailed on a shoe for the first time in his career
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Roland's nags and nails: heading back to college
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson is back to college for more assessment, testing and exams and is feeling a little apprehensive
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Roland's nags and nails: Mounties lose shoes a plenty at Devon County
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson has been busy with his homework ready for his next college block, while Devon County Show has kept him on his toes
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Roland's nags and nails: suffering a severe case of man flu
Apprentice Farrier Roland Thompson has been battling with 'man flu' while he looks ahead to this week's farriery competition at Devon County
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Roland's nags and nails: got bitten and missed Olivia Newton-John
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson has not had a very good week
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Roland's nags and nails: dodging the worst of the weather
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson has been doing a good job of missing the torrential April showers
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Roland's nags and nails: a world of pain and guilt-free bingeing
As Roland spends an increasingly period of time under each horse, his body is feeling the strain in more ways than one
