"Becoming a Farrier"???

C

chunklovescooks

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I have been interested in the idea of being a farrier for a fair while now, next year will be my last year at school, i would like to go straight onto do a National Award Blacksmithing and Metalwork course at myerscough and then go on to study farriery (4 yrs). at the end of this, i should be able to find myself a job as a full-time farrier, either self employed or working for a larger company. i was wondering if this was "worth the money", ok i'm not fussy about being rich, but need to make a living! any suggestions are warmly welcome, along with criticism or opinions!

Many Thanks

Stephen
 
I thought you had to do an aprenticeship...

You will also need to think of a 2nd career, for when your back is too knackerd to be a farrier. Farriery is not something that most folks bodies can cope with for 40 years.
 
Yeah, one came out to our yard today: £55 per hot shoe £25 per trim. My horse Rusty had to be cold shod.. "That Hot Thing will SET ME ON FIRE!!" backs into wheely bins and makes a right racket!

Stephen.
 
Ooh... i live in yorkshire...
laugh.gif


Yeah, apprenticeships are needed, but i think they are included in the course i *think* or just after it if i find a ATF.

Second career wise... hum ho. i could always go and teach riding! will have a fair few years exp under my belt then! or set up my own little tack shop hehe!

Stephen.
 
Go for it..... although I believe there are more potential farriers than places at college...... only what my farrier told me though.... and I have never met a poor one either.
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LOL, my mate just stopped being a farrier! A farrier needs to to take 2k a month to break even. After that they are in profit.... then they get taxed. Not a way to make a fast buck!
 
aah, worth a try anyway! good thing to have under my belt, especially if becoming an instructor eh? on site farrier! only without the little furnace thing.. any of the tools... but still the info!

Stephen.
 
I am intrigued as to why a farrier would have to take 2k per month to break even...... can you elaborate as to why..... genuine interest, not picking
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Just wondered why when shoes are only about £8 a set ??? and they charge £60+ for putting them on, where the extra has to go.

Obvioulsy fuel, gas and nails etc, and the tools would need to be replaced, but not that often surely.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am intrigued as to why a farrier would have to take 2k per month to break even...... can you elaborate as to why..... genuine interest, not picking
smile.gif


Just wondered why when shoes are only about £8 a set ??? and they charge £60+ for putting them on, where the extra has to go.

Obvioulsy fuel, gas and nails etc, and the tools would need to be replaced, but not that often surely.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same here, please
grin.gif
 
The biggest overhead for most farriers is running a van, not helped by the fact that diesel costs are getting higher and higher and in a rural area there is a lot of driving about to do. My OH is a farrier and I can assure you we are not rich!
 
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