Apprentices

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

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

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

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

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

Roland's nags and nails: got bitten and missed Olivia Newton-John

Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson has not had a very good week

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

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

Equestrian training centre offers apprentice grant to employers

An equestrian training centre in Derbyshire is offering a new apprentice grant for employers

Roland's nags and nails: my Cairo Farrier experience

Farrier's apprentice Roland Thompson describes his week in Cairo as one of the most extraordinary, and harrowing, experiences of his life

Roland's nags and nails: nursing a dead leg after 'not a novice' ride

Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson explains how to 'ride a leg' and what happens when things don't go according to plan

Showjumper makes the grade as "The Apprentice" contestant

One of the recruits for the new series of BBC1's "The Apprentice" is a showjumping enthusiast who has competed at the Horse of the Year Show

Roland's nags and nails: it's tough, this apprenticeship lark

Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson admits that the ongoing training assessments are much tougher than he ever expected, but finds the rewards exceed the effort

Roland's nags and nails: flora, fauna and packed lunches

In addition to his day job, Roland is determined to expand his knowledge of British birds and trees with assistance from his new iPhone

Roland's nags and nails: has spring come early?

Apprentice farrier Roland is enjoying the warmer weather, but was reminded just how much more he has still to learn this week

Roland's nags and nails: the Cairo Farrier team is raring to go

Roland is trying to keep his new iPhone in one piece as he embarks on regular tweeting during his rounds, while support for Cairo Farrier continues to build

Roland’s nags and nails: seeking case studies in the cold

As the winter weather continues, Roland has been on the look out for case studies for his college coursework, while the Cairo Farrier campaign gains more support

Roland's nags and nails: Boy, it's been cold!

Farrier's apprentice Roland Thompson is not enjoying the arrival of a late winter

Roland's nags and nails: off to Cairo on a mercy mission

Roland, Kris and Alex are going to be heading off to Cairo next month to shoe and trim neglected horses and ponies in the region

Roland's nags and nails: early spring and missing shoes

Farrier's apprentice Roland is finding it easier to identify conformational faults in hooves, while the early spring is keeping everyone on their toes