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Roland’s nags and nails: three down, five to goRoland 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 shoeOur 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 collegeApprentice 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 CountyApprentice 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 fluApprentice 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 bingeingAs Roland spends an increasingly period of time under each horse, his body is feeling the strain in more ways than one
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Roland’s nags and nails: my Cairo Farrier experienceFarrier's apprentice Roland Thompson describes his week in Cairo as one of the most extraordinary, and harrowing, experiences of his life
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Roland’s nags and nails: nursing a dead leg after ‘not a novice’ rideApprentice farrier Roland Thompson explains how to 'ride a leg' and what happens when things don't go according to plan
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Roland’s nags and nails: it’s tough, this apprenticeship larkApprentice farrier Roland Thompson admits that the ongoing training assessments are much tougher than he ever expected, but finds the rewards exceed the effort
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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
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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
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Roland’s nags and nails: the Cairo Farrier team is raring to goRoland 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
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Roland’s nags and nails: seeking case studies in the coldAs 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
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Roland’s nags and nails: give me dry horses and a cuppaApprentice farrier Roland Thompson accepts that not everyone can present their horses in a clean and dry state, but he does appreciate those that do
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Roland’s nags and nails: A grades and accidental firesFarrier's apprentice Roland Thompson has been impressing his college tutors by getting an A grade for his shoe making, despite setting fire to the wooden template
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Roland’s nags and nails: another important lesson learntRoland continues to struggle with improving his trimming and learnt an important lesson about how and where to tie up this week
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Roland’s nags and nails: trimming traumas and ghostly apparitionsAnother busy week for farrier's apprentice Roland, including a couple of unexpected 'happenings'...
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Roland’s nags and nails: the importance of building trustFarrier's apprentice Roland discusses the best way to shoe a nervous horse and what owners can do to help
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Roland’s nags and nails: learning from your mistakesRoland feels terrible after a prophesy shared with all farrier's apprentices comes true
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Roland’s nags and nails: back from paternity leave on limited sleepRoland is back at work in a sleep-deprived state as he learns how to trim the hoof and his colleague Alex sits his all-important final exams
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Roland’s nags and nails: new arrival prompts paternity leaveOur apprentice farrier is taking a few weeks off following the addition of a new baby boy to the Thompson household
