Roland’s nags and nails: an old dog learning new tricks
This week Roland talks about the challenges he's faced during his retraining to become a farrier
Farriers
Go straight to the latest news about farriers
Farriers have to undertake a four-year apprenticeship to learn how to trim, balance and apply shoes to the horse’s hooves. If they pass their exams, they are then qualified to shoe horses without supervision. Farriers learn blacksmithing skills in order to prepare horseshoes, but a blackmith is NOT allowed to shoe horses under UK law.
The farriery industry is regulated by the Farriers Registration Council in the United Kingdom. The National Farriers Training Agency used to oversee the farriery apprenticeship, but was shut down following a poor OFSTED report in July 2013. The apprenticeships are now run by a handful of colleges around the country.
Horse & Hound followed the ups and downs of apprentice Roland Thompson as he retrained to become a qualified farrier in a regular blog, Roland’s Nags and Nails from 2011 to 2013.
-
-
Roland's nags and nails: it shouldn't happen to a farrier
While working hard at college, Roland considers the potential publication of a James Herriot-style book
-
Farrier must attend drugs rehabilitation to keep job
A Derbyshire farrier who was convicted of drugs offences has been warned he faces being struck off if he does not undertake rehabilitation
-
Farewell to a course-builder and farrier
Philip Gardner died suddenly on 15 September after suffering a stroke aged 47
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Cairo Farrier team prepares to go back to the Pyramids
Cairo Farrier has set up a charity - Farrier Care International - and will be running an online auction at the end of August, before returning to Egypt in October
-
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
-
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
-
Roland's nags and nails: 'how hard can it be'?!
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson reflects on the enormity of retraining to become a farrier
-
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
-
European vets team up with farriers to fight poor shoeing
The Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations and the European Federation of Farriers Associations will work together to promote properly trained farriers in the interests of horse welfare
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Two horses deliberately lamed by farrier
The Farriers Registration Council (FRC) has been heavily criticised by the owner of the deliberately lamed horses for not barring her former farrier from shoeing horses again
