Farrier
Farriers specialise in the care and maintenance of horses' hooves and feet, providing essential services such as trimming, shoeing and addressing hoof-related issues to ensure the health and comfort of the animals.
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
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
Industry Qualifications
To get into this job it requires specialist training. To find out more you can visit the Farriers Registration Council.