Farrier
Farriers make and fit horseshoes and care for horses' hooves.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a farrier you'll:
- talk to the horse owner about what work is required
- check the horse's legs, feet and hooves for problems
- cut away excess hoof growth and make sure the horse is properly balanced
- choose suitable shoes for the horse's size, foot condition and type of activity
- make horseshoes by hand or on a machine
- shape shoes, using a hammer and anvil
- fit horseshoes
- make final checks to finish
Working environment
You could work at a client's business, at a riding stable or on a farm.
Your working environment may be physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With experience you may be able to take higher level qualifications, for example a Diploma in Higher Education or a degree in farriery.
You may be able to work with larger stables, horse breeders or mounted regiments in the police or army.
You could also work in equine hospitals, with vets or in the farriery suppliers business.
You could become an Approved Training Farrier (ATF) and employ and train apprentice farriers.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with your hands
- excellent verbal communication skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- the ability to work on your own
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- customer service skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an approved apprenticeship
- training with the army
You could take a Level 2 Access to Farriery course at college that will give you some of the skills and knowledge to apply to be an apprentice farrier.
This takes 12 months to complete.
Entry requirements
Most people following this route have:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
More Information
You can get into this work by doing an advanced apprenticeship in farriery with an approved training farrier.
This takes 48 months to complete and includes training on the job and periods of study at a college approved by the Farriers Registration Council.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- City and Guilds Forgework Certificate
More Information
You could join the army as a soldier with the Household Cavalry.
After 2 years as a mounted ceremonial trooper, you'll be eligible to apply for the Forge within the regiment and join a team of farriers.
Registration
- you must be registered with Farriers Registration Council
Further information
You'll find more details about training and working as a farrier from the Farriers Registration Council and the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.