Apprentices

Roland's nags 'n' nails: the art of making bar shoes

Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson has been practising making bar shoes ahead of Devon County Show later this week

Roland's nags 'n' nails: concentrating on the competitions

Moulting horses and flies are marking the start of Roland's summer, while he also has a number of competitions to prepare for

Roland's nags 'n' nails: a run on stud holes

Roland is thinking of ways to make putting in studs easier, and is disappointed with the score that OFSTED gave to the Farrier Training Agency

Roland's nags 'n' nails: lacking co-ordination

Roland is struggling to develop the skill of 'ringing off' protruding horseshoe nails and fears he is impressing no-one along the way

Roland’s nags and nails: injuries and weight loss

Roland has been in the wars this week, but is loving being able to eat exactly what he wants

Roland's nags and nails: mock exams and Baltic weather conditions

Roland is slightly concerned that his profession is coinciding with a mini ice age, but found the mock exams he has done recently very beneficial

Roland's nags and nails: 'I'm not the only one finding it tough'

Catching up with fellow students at the Shire Horse Show provides a welcome boost to Roland's confidence

Roland’s nags and nails: there's nothing like a good frog trim

Roland reflects on a few unusual things that only those who work as farriers or with horses will experience

Roland's nags and nails: 'I fear I might get mud fever myself'

As hunting winds down, Roland is enjoying a slightly quieter time at work and is looking forward to warmer summer days

Sports performance programme now available to riders

Hartpury College in Gloucestershire will be offering the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence from this September, to riders aged 16-19

Roland's nags and nails: my uphill battle with making shoes

In this week's blog, Roland is already getting butterflies about making shoes in his final exam

Roland’s nags and nails: health and safety or red tape madness

Farrier's apprentice Roland reflects on a talk by a health and safety executive from Germany

Roland's nags and nails: facing the shoe-fitting challenge

Farrier's apprentice Roland is finding fitting shoes a challenge and isn't enjoying a forced return to 'smoking'

Roland's nags and nails: getting there step by step

The recent wet weather has been responsible for an increase in thrush, seedy toe and abscesses, which have all been useful for Roland's education

Roland's nags and nails: another lesson learnt

Roland is getting tougher when it comes to the weather and has learnt another valuable lesson

Roland's nags and nails: passing an important milestone

There are no January blues for Roland as this week he is thrilled to have fitted his first pair of front shoes

Roland's nags and nails: time to go back to work

It's time to head back to work after the festivities and although he's avoided going back with a bang, there's been plenty of aches and pains for Roland...

Roland’s nags and nails: smelling like a real farrier

Our apprentice farrier Roland Thompson has had a busy week, including taking part in a shoeing demonstration in front of crowds of Christmas shoppers

Roland's nags and nails: does this blog have a future?

This week apprentice farrier Roland is struggling to get inspired to write his blog entry after getting de-robed by some crafty horses!

Roland’s nags and nails: getting in the festive spirit

It might seem early, but Roland has received his first Christmas present and is getting into the festive spirit