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.
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
While rain doesn't stop play for farriers, many of Roland's clients are feeling the effects on the ongoing disappointing 'summer' weather
Roland returns from college full of new knowledge and reflects on the fact he spends more time with his training farrier than his wife
Apprentice farrier Roland has started the last week of his latest college block and his tally of successfully shod feet has now reached three
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
Our apprentice farrier had a watershed moment at college as he fitted and nailed on a shoe for the first time in his career
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson is back to college for more assessment, testing and exams and is feeling a little apprehensive
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
Apprentice Farrier Roland Thompson has been battling with 'man flu' while he looks ahead to this week's farriery competition at Devon County
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson has not had a very good week
An insurance company has changed its policies to tackle concerns that owners are using unregistered farriers
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson has been doing a good job of missing the torrential April showers
As Roland spends an increasingly period of time under each horse, his body is feeling the strain in more ways than one
Farrier's apprentice Roland Thompson describes his week in Cairo as one of the most extraordinary, and harrowing, experiences of his life
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson explains how to 'ride a leg' and what happens when things don't go according to plan
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Forget Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin — the only shoes to be seen in this season come courtesy of farrier Nathan Appleton
The Eastern Counties Spring Championship attracted more than 40 farriers for a weekend of competition and training
Apprentice farrier Roland Thompson admits that the ongoing training assessments are much tougher than he ever expected, but finds the rewards exceed the effort
In addition to his day job, Roland is determined to expand his knowledge of British birds and trees with assistance from his new iPhone
Cameras will follow the farrier and part-time model as he copes with his new found fame after winning the Channel 4 show
