Farrier Apprenticeship

[Magiemix92]

So, I appear to be trying to find a unicorn and wondered if anyone has any advice!

32 and looking to change career. I have a degree in Equine studies & Business management and have worked within the horse industry but nothing comparable. I’ve been doing my research and I keep seeing people say there’s a lack of Farriers and it’s a dying trade, I see only 30 new farriers registered in 2023! However, there doesn’t seem to be anyone out there actually looking for an Apprentice, of any age let alone in their thirties with a solid work ethic behind them.

I’m more than willing to work shadow and take one of the preparatory course out there such as at Myerscough, but I want to believe I can find an apprenticeship after all that…

Any direction gratefully received.

 

[Arzada]

However, there doesn’t seem to be anyone out there actually looking for an Apprentice, of any age let alone in their thirties with a solid work ethic behind them.

I think you're the one who has to go looking

Go to https://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk/
In the Search for a Registered Farrier box type in a location eg United Kingdom if you're prepared to move or your postcode
In the dropdown box under the heading Approved Training Farriers select Approved Training Farriers and click the Search button
Contact all the ones of interest to you

 

[Magiemix92]

I think you're the one who has to go looking

Go to https://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk/
In the Search for a Registered Farrier box type in a location eg United Kingdom if you're prepared to move or your postcode
In the dropdown box under the heading Approved Training Farriers select Approved Training Farriers and click the Search button
Contact all the ones of interest to you

Thank you, unfortunately I have tried to contact a few from the list with no joy in terms of any response at all so far, so I was hoping there might be a better way to find a willing ATF, or advice on all the right things they would be looking for that I could do to convince them to take a chance on me!

 

[nagblagger]

Hi and welcome.
As this is the introduction thread you would get more traffic by posting in the tack room or club house.

 

[Bob notacob]

I wish you good luck ,sincerely. we need good farriers. People who care! Sadly the present government does not encourage ambition.

 

[teacups]

I would think it’s a bit chicken and egg. If you haven’t actually done any training yet, but just want to see if you’d like it, then you are asking them to spend quite a bit of their time on you. They may get lots of requests like that, and they may have spent a lot of time introducing people to the job who then decide it’s not for them, or it’s too much hard work, etc.

If you want to shadow them then you are asking them to take you, a total stranger, along to their clients, which is their livelihood. They need to know you can behave appropriately in that type of situation.

It’s quite a bit of hard work, too, physically. Someone with a business studies degree won’t sound as though they might be used to that: if I were you I would stress the actual work you’ve done within the horse industry especially if it involves some long hours and hard physical labour. I assume you also have horse experience. Locally I know of farriers who used to be jockeys, for example.

 

[Magiemix92]

I would think it’s a bit chicken and egg. If you haven’t actually done any training yet, but just want to see if you’d like it, then you are asking them to spend quite a bit of their time on you. They may get lots of requests like that, and they may have spent a lot of time introducing people to the job who then decide it’s not for them, or it’s too much hard work, etc.

If you want to shadow them then you are asking them to take you, a total stranger, along to their clients, which is their livelihood. They need to know you can behave appropriately in that type of situation.

It’s quite a bit of hard work, too, physically. Someone with a business studies degree won’t sound as though they might be used to that: if I were you I would stress the actual work you’ve done within the horse industry especially if it involves some long hours and hard physical labour. I assume you also have horse experience. Locally I know of farriers who used to be jockeys, for example.

Thank you for the feedback, and I think you’re very right that it’s a big gamble for them and a use of their own time and reputation if they have lots of people enquiry to shadow them etc, it’s definitely a system that needs review if they want to introduce new blood to the industry! I can hit all the points you mention, I just didn’t want to put my whole CV on here to bore people but my current job is also extremely physical so I’m confident I can evidence that ability. Thanks again for your input, perhaps I will fork out for one of the preparatory courses to try and show I’m serious about things

 

[Exasperated]

So, I appear to be trying to find a unicorn and wondered if anyone has any advice!

32 and looking to change career. I have a degree in Equine studies & Business management and have worked within the horse industry but nothing comparable. I’ve been doing my research and I keep seeing people say there’s a lack of Farriers and it’s a dying trade, I see only 30 new farriers registered in 2023! However, there doesn’t seem to be anyone out there actually looking for an Apprentice, of any age let alone in their thirties with a solid work ethic behind them.

I’m more than willing to work shadow and take one of the preparatory course out there such as at Myerscough, but I want to believe I can find an apprenticeship after all that…

Any direction gratefully received.

Are you female (as in a traditional, not woke, definition)?
This is contentious, but it seems there is still some reluctance from male farriers to take female apprentices, often unease from their own women / families.
The prep course sounds a really good start; at any College, they’ll be ‘onto’ equal opps issues, also have plenty of workplace contacts; and perhaps you could also write to established female farriers asking for any guidance.
If not female, then I’d still suggest the prep course route to get your training going.
There is definitely a need for GOOD farriers - so good luck!

 

[Magiemix92]

Are you female (as in a traditional, not woke, definition)?
This is contentious, but it seems there is still some reluctance from male farriers to take female apprentices, often unease from their own women / families.
The prep course sounds a really good start; at any College, they’ll be ‘onto’ equal opps issues, also have plenty of workplace contacts; and perhaps you could also write to established female farriers asking for any guidance.
If not female, then I’d still suggest the prep course route to get your training going.
There is definitely a need for GOOD farriers - so good luck!

Yes, traditionally female and non woke!
I get your point and did think farriers are probably reluctant due to the physicality of the job too, however I currently do a physical and traditionally a ‘man’s’ job and manage just fine… still hard to prove that without a foot in the door however. Hopefully I can convince someone that’s got a more modern viewpoint anyway! Thanks for your reply

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Thank you for the feedback, and I think you’re very right that it’s a big gamble for them and a use of their own time and reputation if they have lots of people enquiry to shadow them etc, it’s definitely a system that needs review if they want to introduce new blood to the industry! I can hit all the points you mention, I just didn’t want to put my whole CV on here to bore people but my current job is also extremely physical so I’m confident I can evidence that ability. Thanks again for your input, perhaps I will fork out for one of the preparatory courses to try and show I’m serious about things

I would expect that to give you some practical experience and possibly introductions to some ATFs

 

[KatieDM]

So, I appear to be trying to find a unicorn and wondered if anyone has any advice!

32 and looking to change career. I have a degree in Equine studies & Business management and have worked within the horse industry but nothing comparable. I’ve been doing my research and I keep seeing people say there’s a lack of Farriers and it’s a dying trade, I see only 30 new farriers registered in 2023! However, there doesn’t seem to be anyone out there actually looking for an Apprentice, of any age let alone in their thirties with a solid work ethic behind them.

I’m more than willing to work shadow and take one of the preparatory course out there such as at Myerscough, but I want to believe I can find an apprenticeship after all that…

Any direction gratefully received.

I just saw this post randomly on Facebook (not sure why, as I’m in Yorkshire haha) and thought back to seeing your post :

 

[Sara Shirvani]

Just a heads up, the decrease in training opportunities is the result of funding cuts. This is why you'll find alot of ATF not even really taking anyone one. Really it's heading toward as welfare crisis as there won't be enough farrier replacing those retiring. I looked into it as a friend was hoping to train like yourself. Starting place she got told was to do a pre farriery course (of her own back and funding), then hope with that you will find someone to take you one.
Obviously pretty bleak picture so it might be worth looking into funding options yourself (QUEST, speak with farriers company, maybe craft/welfare funds). That way you're armed against the biggest driver of very few farriers taking on apprenticeship these days. We can hope the government funding will return but it doesn't look like it would be anytime soon.