This blog is sponsored by the PRO FEET range of hoof care products from NAF
Brrrrr, and Brrrrr. There’s no hanging about in these temperatures although I seem to handle the cold better now than when I was an office worker commuting to work. Having an outside job somehow prepares you for the cold more, so it’s less of a problem. Anyway, “it is what it is” as Kris Parsons, my training farrier, would say and one just gets on with it.
If you’ve been following my blog recently, then you’ll know Kris, myself and Alex, Kris’ other apprentice, have been asked to go to Cairo to undertake some charity work. There’s a big fund-raising push being run through www.facebook.com/cairofarrier
This week, Lucinda Fredericks, Mary King and Andrew Gould, to name a few, have pledged their support and are helping to raise the money to send us out there. Horse & Hound are running it in the magazine too, so it really feels like the backing is there to get us out to Cairo.
Our local freebee Newspaper, the Pulman’s Weekly are running a story this week and even sent a photographer to a yard where we were shoeing. I’m not sure he got my best side though, especially since I was asked to remove my beanie hat (vital warmth giver, but terrible hair annihilator).
Anyway, all being well, we leave on 23 March — less than 6 weeks time! Yikes. What an experience for me and my training. These horses are in a critical condition and I will see things that one would never see here in the UK. Please check out the link to see more about what we’re doing and how you can help.
These past few weeks, I’ve been on the hunt for seedy toe, thrush, bruised soles and white line disease. This is for my college assignments and steadily I’m building a case note diary and photographs of these conditions. I expect I’ll be able to add some very interesting “other” conditions once out in Egypt. I will try and get a photo of any I come across with the Pyramids in the background. I wonder if my college lecturers will notice?
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Until next week,
Roland
www.twitter.com/nagsandnails
Sponsor’s message
The market-leading PRO FEET range of hoof care products offers formulas designed to nourish and protect your horse’s feet.
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The PRO FEET range is available from NAF stockists nationwide. For more details call the NAF Freephone Advice line: 0800 373106 or email info@naf-uk.com
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Roland owned a computer software business until he realised he didn't want to be stuck behind a desk for the rest of his working life. So in 2011 he started the four-year apprenticeship to become a farrier on the borders of Somerset, Devon and Dorset. He became fully qualified in 2014.
