Train as Farrier or Barefoot Trimmer?

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2ponies2much

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Hello

I have used these forum before but I can't remember username or password.

I hope there are people here who could give me some advice.

I am considering going into the hoof care area, but not sure what the best route would be. I cannot afford upfront fees for training as a barefoot trimmer, and would also find it difficult to choose which organisation is best as they all teach slightly differently.

I know that training as a farrier is an apprenticeship so no upfront fees. I worry that I may not get on well with the training because my main interest is barefoot trimming, and with a little knowledge I’ll disagree with what the ATF is saying.

On the other hand, I think it might be good to have a well rounded view. Being able to shoe will mean that I can reach more people and give advice about diet as a farrier, and I understand that not everyone wants a barefoot horse.
Would it be a conflict of interests? Would I manage with the training considering I am biased towards barefoot?

Please if anyone has any experiences, share them with me.

 
My farrier is a traditionally trained farrier who I trust implicitly.

He always advises me to keep shoes off as long as I can and permanently if possible. When I start working the youngsters he trims their feet accordingly so that they are properly balanced and correct for the surfaces that they are going to be on.

The only time I had a 'barefoot' trimmer out my filly was lame for 4 weeks so never again.

In your position I would go for the farrier training as it appeals to a wider audience and there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to take what you know about barefoot into the farrier training, in fact it would help wouldn't it?
 
Last I heard, the farrier's training had been stopped until further notice. Farriers I've used have been very open minded about keeping shoes off and do a good trim for my unshod (working) horses.
A friend trained as a BF trimmer a couple of years back and it was very expensive and included working trips to the USA, Denmark and Holland, although, I'm guessing that was optional !
Also bear in mind that if you train as a BF trimmer, you may have less clients and they may be spread over a wider area than a farrier's patch.
 
I have all of mine barefoot and I now use a trimmer. But if I was personally looking to do the training, I would do the farrier's training and look to do the barefoot research on the side or after-thats if you can find farrier training atm.
 
According to the 3 colleges websites that have the details for the training courses, there are courses starting Sept 2014.

Thanks for your replies - MerrySherryRider it makes sense about being able to cover a smaller area with the same client base. Does your friend still work as a barefoot trimmer?

MotherOfChickens - that was what I was thinking. There's nothing to say I can't train further once becoming a qualified farrier.

I am worried that I will have to learn things I don't agree with or believe to be true, as the barefoot approach in some cases seems polar opposite to farriery.
 
2ponies2much said:
I am worried that I will have to learn things I don't agree with or believe to be true, as the barefoot approach in some cases seems polar opposite to farriery.
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I think alot of folk, barefooters and farriers, would do well to not be too evangelical. For many horses and owners at livery, in this climate, barefoot will not work-or it will not work all of the time. Saying that, there is a recession on and farriers could open themselves up to a new market if they learned to trim working horses. Knowledge is power and all that!
 
Yes, my friend works as a BF trimmer but doesn't have enough work for full time and has to cover several counties.
I'm glad that the farrier training is restarting again otherwise the lack of new farriers could be a problem.
If you are worried about the content of the farrier course, perhaps you could talk to one of the tutors ? If you could not see yourself ever agreeing to shoe a horse, you would have a problem with the training, I guess it depends on your personal view.
However, if you feel that shoes can be useful in some circumstances but would prefer more thought going into about the reasons to shoe, you might enjoy the training. I know a couple of apprentices who did a BF course along side their traditional farriery training. Attitudes are changing and new students are the professionals of tomorrow, so don't dismiss the farriery route too soon.

Although, BF trimmers are still much fewer in numbers than farriers, to this day,I've only come across 2 horses that were seen by trimmers out of thousands over the last 50 years. It's still unusual for most owners not to use a farrier, although, times change, there is still a long way to go when you need to earn a living.
 
Sorry, did not mean to sound evangelical! What I was trying to explain was that, for example, I believe (through research and experience) that to treat a laminitic hoof you need to assess diet, conditions and trim in conjunction with boots, not to use heartbars which most farriers (again in my experience) advise along with vets of course. Although I understand every case is different I was just trying to give an example.

That said, I am definitely not against shoeing. I know people want to use shoes for various reasons, and that some horses do need shoes aswell.

Would there really be a lack of farriers? I have always thought there seemed to be a lot of farriers around really, but they all seem busy.

Do you think I should ask my farrier (who does a good job barefoot!) if I can do some work experience with him? I know he has trained apprentices before too.
 
My first apprenticeship was for 5 years in order for me to become a farrier, after qualifying I shod horses for 35 years, the last 11 of them only doing only referral work from vets and farriers at my own clinic.
My second period of learning ( 6 years ago ) was to study barefoot trimming , I now only perform barefoot trimming.
In my experience, done well they are both great ways to assist OWNERS in being able to ride their horses.
They are however in my opinion totally different methods and have very little in common other than you start by assessing the animal and then picking up the foot.
http://www.rockfoot.com/footfall.html
You may like to read the above page which explains it fully.
If you think you are likely to become a barefoot trimmer, then I would not go down the road of becoming a farrier, as I have stated I believe they are 2 different professions
 
How long is training for a 'barefoot trimmer'? what does he do differently to a registered farrier that trims a foot thats not prepared for shoeing.
 
There sadly is no recognised apprenticeship for trimmers (which is causing ½ the problem)
As for the difference in the two professions, it comes down the knowledge needed to perform both methods, when studying to be a farrier you are not taught: Diet, conditions, barefoot trimming methods I repeat they are 2 different professions
 
Heelfirst do you believe it's not possible to do both well then? Advising shod horse owners on how best to care for their horses' feet, and the same for barefoot owners? Trimming well and shoeing well?

I have read the page on your website, in fact I have had a good look and read of your website in the past also.
 
Can't remember about Pete Ramey, but certainly K C La Pierre started out as farriers. I know that the training/apprenticeship system is completley different in the USA, but the fact was that they were shoeing horses.

If you are looking for a career, then the only advice that could be given is to do a proper training and apprenticeship as a farrier. You will learn lots, there are some circumstances when a shoe is essential. You could continue with your interest in barefoot trimming. The credibility of a farrier's qualification will stand you in good stead.
 
I do believe it is possible to do both well.
I also think that if you are going to do both you need to study both.
My years in farriery did not prepare me for the training I needed to be a barefoot trimmer.
I had to learn that barefoot trimming is not just about taking the shoes off.
 
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