Debating career change - farriery?

Talism4n

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Hi all,

I've been struck with a mad idea and would love some thoughts on it. I'm debating going into farriery. Currently I'm going into my final year of a psychology BSc and becoming more and more disillusioned with the industry after the uni has let down students in a multitude of ways. It got me thinking about all the things that worry me about my current plan A and B - horrible bosses, boring desk jobs, burnout and emotionally intense situations. I now can't shake the idea that as someone who loves the outdoors and has worked with horses previously, I might be happier doing something less academic.

All that said, I know nothing about farriery as a career, having never considered it before. I'll be doing some research and mulling it over for some time, but in the meantime, does anyone have any insight to share? My current farrier was out today ans has said if I do go through with this and it all works out she'd be happy to consider taking me on as an apprentice, having done so for others previously, so that gives me some hope that I have a nice option if I want/can get to it.

Apologies for the essay and thanks in advance to anyone reading this.
 

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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Ditto above advice re. Chiropractor!

I would be inclined to think hard and long........... yes your current situation may seem untenable, right now, but it might concentrate the mind to think of the very worst situation of being a farrier - any farrier will give you their "worst day/worst client" scenario, but here are a few:

Young horse never had anyone near its feet before; owner hasn't bothered to do anything with it - "its the farrier's job to get shoes on it" - and expects a full set put on at the first attempt. Farrier tries, gets a broken bone and is off work for at least 3 months.

Farrier turns up at yard: instead of the normal full set as planned, owner has omitted to tell farrier that she is competing at the weekend and wants stud-holes put in, also she wants her other horse done as well - oh and there's another horse lost a shoe as well and she "forgot" to tell the farrier - and she wants heart-bars done on another horse too...... farrier has allocated a certain time-slot to the client, and is already running late coz the previous client's horse was difficult to shoe.

Farrier turns up at a yard: no stables on the place, horses all out. Its a filthy cold winter's day. No-one has bothered to get the horse he's to shoe in; so farrier trudges across mucky fields, having to faff around with the ancient (and tatty) leccy fencing. Horse hightails it away at high speed, farrier has to keep trying to catch it, knowing that if he does catch it, its feet will be muddy and unpleasant to handle with cold hands anyway on a freezing cold morning. In the end, as he is running late and horse patently will not be caught, farrier has to leave. Later owner rings him up, irate, tells him she'll never use him again and will put the incident on Facebook.

Trainee-farrier goes off happily to college, and passes all the necessary Prelim exams etc., but then when push comes to shove, cannot find anyone to take them on as an apprentice......... I heard at the weekend that this actually happened to someone ..... because they were a woman - and the profession hasn't quite got over that fact yet

Sorry OP, not trying to put you off!! But just giving a reality-check.

Good luck to you if you decide to go for it.
 
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Starzaan

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As the ex of the now somewhat famous FF (or fit farrier), all I can say is don’t do it.

Your body will be absolutely knackered within a year.
 

Red-1

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Whatever you do, I would finish your degree. Then you have options.

After that, the world is your oyster as long as you can afford to take more time for training. I am not sure what wage an apprentice gets, but after 2 years for A levels and 3 for a degree, I would confirm that wherever you plan to live is happy to help support you further, as I doubt it is enough to be self sufficient.
 

HeyMich

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If you want to have a more horsey career, how about horse physio or even behavioural therapy? It may be a bit more in line with your current studies.

My back aches just watching our farrier work!

Good luck if you do chose a different career path tho, exciting times!
 

Talism4n

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Worst case scenarios and the reality of the job is exactly what I'm looking to hear about, so thank you for that!

If I do decide to go for it, I'll be finishing current degree first and am debating taking a year to work and build up some savings before moving forward with anything. Thankfully my parents are very indulgent so I'd be able to move back home whilst studying.

I've always wanted to work with horses again, but put it off to get a "real" job, so whilst the job itself is a new idea, the industry and desire is familiar. As it is I'm going to be exhausting myself either way, it's whether the payoff of the job at the end is worth it and I'm beginning to doubt that with my current trajectory.
 

Spottyappy

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As above.
And, Personally, I Wouldn’t!
Am married to one.
There are far too many being churned out,and quite a few have left the profession as they are unable to find enough work. There are still a few areas where there is a shortage, but often they are very rural and you would spend all day travelling to shoe a couple of horses.
This in addition to the injuries and long hours, mean the pay isn’t actually as great as it seems for most.
My OH has all his own fingers,but has severe arthritis in his hands, his back, knees and hips are knackered. The hips and knees as a result of kicks. He is now in his early 50s and struggles to work, because of the daily pain. Lives on morphine.
If you become a training farrier, then the lifestyle is better, imho. Basically, you get the apprentices to do most of the hard work while you get paid for the pleasure! However, that is a myriad of red tape,and by no means that easy these days either.
 

Crazy_cat_lady

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As someone who studied psychology at college but didn't want to go to uni while I would say I definitely don't regret not going to uni it's perhaps the subject I think "what if I had persued it further "

I found it very interesting and sometimes look at things from a more psychology type perspective e.g. the nature vs nurture argument (some of both I think!) And very rarely think would I do this as a career. I don't work with horses I work in an office funnily when growing up people always said I'd get bored of office work as I was so into the horses, I must say I don't regret not working with them.

Also would you be able to apply your psychology knowledge to do a job with animals at the same time? Not sure of what you need to qualify as one but something like an animal behaviourist?
 

McFluff

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Depends whether you want to live to work, or work to live.
Basing a career on your degree (I took my psychology degree into HR) need not mean a boring office job - choose the industry you work in carefully. If you stick at it, you can then earn enough to do horses as your hobby.
Being a farrier is a vocation - you will spend your days looking after the horses of others, and may not have the time, money or energy for your own.
There are other horse careers that are less brutal on your body (saddler?) but most horse work involves long hours, or lots of travel, or not great salary. You do get to spend every day with horses, which is heaven to many. But remember that you are also likely to have to deal with the general public, and that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea!
The key is to really understand what suits you - there is a book called career anchors that can help people learn about their own motivations. And remember that you can always try something new, don’t keep at something that makes you miserable (I’m always amazed at how many people stick in jobs they hate).
 

Spottyappy

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if you do, then you need a back up plan for when you are so physically knackered you cant do it anymore. Note I say when not if, because it will happen.
How I agree. Make sure you have a private pension plan or a way to earn additional money at that point. For us, that point came when OH was under 50: he now can only work part time due to the severity of his injuries and degeneration in spine.
On a different note and therefore career path, one of my daughters friends is on the graduate scheme within the horse racing industry. After the initial 10 weeks, she and her fellow graduates are still working within the industry and seem to love it:
https://www.careersinracing.com/career-paths/university-graduate/
 

Talism4n

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As someone who studied psychology at college but didn't want to go to uni while I would say I definitely don't regret not going to uni it's perhaps the subject I think "what if I had persued it further "

I found it very interesting and sometimes look at things from a more psychology type perspective e.g. the nature vs nurture argument (some of both I think!) And very rarely think would I do this as a career. I don't work with horses I work in an office funnily when growing up people always said I'd get bored of office work as I was so into the horses, I must say I don't regret not working with them.

Also would you be able to apply your psychology knowledge to do a job with animals at the same time? Not sure of what you need to qualify as one but something like an animal behaviourist?

It's a fascinating field, and if it were solely about psychology I'd be happy. As it is, I'm sick to the back teeth of academia, the dishonesty and political point scoring behind the scenes is unbelievable, and being as low on the totem pole as I am (as both a student and the related job I worked before uni) I spend more time arguing for basic common decency and sucking up to people who really aren't smart enough to justify their egos than I do doing anything even vaguely useful. I'm happy to do grunt work, I'm happy to put in the time, but when my project is stopped because so and so called t'other one a silly name and now the whole office is picking sides, I wish I could say I'll be calling the shots in a few years. That and the fact that I desperately miss being more physically tired than mentally tired has me exploring other options.

I've considered the animal psych line but it's a very fickle industry - no set qualifications means that it's extremely hard to earn a living, or into research. Of course, when I win the lottery or inherit billions from a long lost uncle, this will all be beside the point, but I've been advised not to count on that.
 

L&M

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On a more positive note, my partner is a farrier, has all his fingers, and at 54 is still going strong.

He set up on his own, after his apprenticeship 36 yrs ago and still has some of his original clients. Financially it has been a little touch and go, with vehicles being the main headache/expense, but a couple of years ago he managed to cut down to a 4 day week, so his hard work in the earlier years has paid off.

The only major health issues he has had is a hernia in his 40's, and occasionally suffers from bursitis in his knee due to the constant bending. He is only 5ft 7 so think that helps too....

I dread the day he can no longer shoe, as it is what he lives for.
 

maya2008

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My old farrier never had back issues, and he worked on polo yards in the summer - incredibly long days and many, many horses. He did say though that the few awkward horses he did have to deal with, were people's pets, not polo ponies. So perhaps working in that industry and doing fewer private jobs was what actually saved his health! He was also short, if that's an advantage.

Current farrier, who does have back problems, is taller and his work is all private horses. He is very keen to only shoe if absolutely necessary (easier on him perhaps?).

Many years ago, in a different area, our farrier was in his late 60s and still going strong - he was short in stature too, come to think of it. Must have been 5ft5 at a push!
 

Abi90

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the dishonesty and political point scoring behind the scenes is unbelievable, and being as low on the totem pole as I am (as both a student and the related job I worked before uni) I spend more time arguing for basic common decency and sucking up to people who really aren't smart enough to justify their egos than I do doing anything even vaguely useful. .

I’m afraid this is the world of work, from what I’ve seen of it anyway. And I’ve worked in 2 very different sectors. People are out for themselves and will use you as a doormat to promotion in whatever career you go into.

The only way to get out of that is to work for yourself, so Farriery could be an option but is there anything else you could do, any other skills you have to achieve that?
 

chaps89

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My current farrier has done it right. He's fortunate enough that his dad is a farrier and part of a farrier practice so did his apprenticeship through a well respected team.
All clients are booked in for the next visit at the end of the current visit, given an invoice to pay by BACS.
He stipulates that horses must be in, with clean feet and tied up somewhere suitable to shoe.
He charges for travel time, VAT, any extras etc.
He is very fussy about who he will take on- horse and owner have to be well behaved!
Now I don't doubt that he had to build up to some of this and that his background helped but I see alot of farriers with a diary wedged with cash, trying to do 20 sets a day and looking knackered and can't help but think mine is doing it right!
He does charge a lot and he will be out of some people's price point. But he's also realistic about having a limited work life as the physical aspect takes it's toll and has planned accordingly.
 

Talism4n

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I’m afraid this is the world of work, from what I’ve seen of it anyway. And I’ve worked in 2 very different sectors. People are out for themselves and will use you as a doormat to promotion in whatever career you go into.

The only way to get out of that is to work for yourself, so Farriery could be an option but is there anything else you could do, any other skills you have to achieve that?

I'm inclined to agree with you, so my thinking is finding a job that I enjoy enough to make up for a lot of the pitfalls. I've worked quite a range of different jobs, both with horses and in education, and found it a lot easier to handle this aspect when with the horses - less emotional intensity and more rewarding interactions with the animals seems to suit me. I'm looking into other options, e.g. Equine physio, sport psychology etc that would enable me to either use my current degree to be self employed or fit with skills I have, but farriery is my jumping off point for ideas so thought I'd ask.
 

Talism4n

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Wow, thank you all so much. I'm really grateful for all the suggestsions and insight into farriery as a career. I've spent the past week so wound up and disillusioned about going back to uni, so it's really nice to look at other options. I'll be doing a lot of research into as many options as I can think of before I make any call but I'm now pretty sure I'll be moving away from my current trajectory.

As far as getting into the horse industry goes, I'm lucky enough to have some connections and serious financial backing from parents to get me started. I'm very short, physically fit and fairly used to physical jobs. I have my degree and some teaching qualifications to fall back on, I'm just very keen to make sure I go on with my eyes open. You've all given me a lot to think about and made me feel a lot better about exploring other options - whether it's positive or not, it's nice to have information and someone taking me seriously about my concerns.
 

Equi

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If i had to deal with people like me, i wouldn't want to be a farrier. I can be a nightmare. I freely admit it. Typical want it all done tomorrow, but can never set a date/time, only have one to shoe but 5 minis to trim but never at the same time cause that is just not how it works, always a hanger on who decides they will tell me 5mins before my farrier arrives that they need a full shoe done etc...my horse then is not very good to do esp in summer...takes a firm hand and once took a team of three. At 18 going on 19 i doubt i will change him, i didn't "make" him. My farrier has been called a saint by more than a few people.

I think however there is a large lack of specialised barefoot trimmers, like only barefoot not farrier. I know of only one in my entire country, and it can take months to get a reply let alone an appointment, hence why i use my own farrier. But i am going to switch to the barefoot at some point cause i think it will benefit my minis.
 
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Talism4n

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Equi, I have been dealing with parents of disabled children for the past 6 years. Whilst I love and respect all of my families for the roller coaster of challenges and sacrifice that is their lives, there is nothing quite like exhausted parents who know full well I care too much to walk away for teaching one to handle unreasonable demands. I am unflappable, haha.
 

Orangehorse

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My farrier seems to have a steady number of apprentices and one is a girl, she has been two or three times to me.

My farrier is doing extra training, to increase his qualifications and he and the apprentices do competitions and travel to different shows around the country and even to France, and do demonstrations at shows, and memorably at the local BHS meeting.

It is a long apprenticeship and you have to show that you have a certain amount of money in your bank before you start, apparently. I don't think you would be short of work, and I like the sound of the farrier above who is very fussy who he takes on and keeps as a customer!

Being a physio means that you first have to get in and do human physiotherapy, then practice for a year before you can do the horse side. My horse physio said it took her 7 years to qualify, and she is now trying to do less horse work and more human work, which is something to bear in mind for those who say just do the horse qualification rather than starting out with the human side.
 

Talism4n

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Right, I think I have a plan (if I go with it, just an idea at current):

- finish current degree
- start farrier apprenticeship - I meet all entry requirements already
- supplement income as a counsellor as I go along - easy to do hours that suit me and a good way to earn a bit on the side

This then gives me scope to look at going into equine assisted therapy or develop the farriery angle as I go along. Both of which would allow me to stay self employed and cut out the things I'm wanting to avoid. I have a few solid ideas on how to link my skills into a sustainable, broad business involving horses that I won't bore everyone with the details on for now at least, but it gives me a planB without reverting back to my current line or retraining again. I've never been this excited about researching careers before.
 

Equi

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Equi, I have been dealing with parents of disabled children for the past 6 years. Whilst I love and respect all of my families for the roller coaster of challenges and sacrifice that is their lives, there is nothing quite like exhausted parents who know full well I care too much to walk away for teaching one to handle unreasonable demands. I am unflappable, haha.

Will you be MY farrier hahaha
 

Talism4n

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Haha, think it might be a bit far to commute I'm afraid! Part of my thinking to get off the ground with this will be to actively seek the hard jobs - maybe charging hourly instead of per job as a schooling exercise to help anxious horses learn to cope with being shod, hitching my construction lights to my car so I can work after sunset in winter etc. Not a long term plan but it will get me started.
 

Talism4n

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It would be 4 years training before you could get started though ?

I'm in that boat either way, likely even longer spent studying with my current trajectory (Msc, PhD plus two year contract). Time in training doesn't worry me, making sure I know exactly what my plan is and have fallbacks is my concern.
 

Rowreach

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If i had to deal with people like me, i wouldn't want to be a farrier. I can be a nightmare. I freely admit it. Typical want it all done tomorrow, but can never set a date/time, only have one to shoe but 5 minis to trim but never at the same time cause that is just not how it works, always a hanger on who decides they will tell me 5mins before my farrier arrives that they need a full shoe done etc...my horse then is not very good to do esp in summer...takes a firm hand and once took a team of three. At 18 going on 19 i doubt i will change him, i didn't "make" him. My farrier has been called a saint by more than a few people.

I think however there is a large lack of specialised barefoot trimmers, like only barefoot not farrier. I know of only one in my entire country, and it can take months to get a reply let alone an appointment, hence why i use my own farrier. But i am going to switch to the barefoot at some point cause i think it will benefit my minis.

I think all farriers in NI are saints! :)

Most horse owners wait till the shoes are hanging off, don't teach their horses manners, leave them in muddy fields and then only expect to pay about thirty quid a set!
 

w1bbler

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As your carrier has offered to take you on As an apprentice, have you considered spending a week with them to see what the job really entails.
Most of us only see how our own yard presents horses to the farrier, a proper work experience week might help.
 
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