Question 1: How can I get a farrier? My old farrier has emigrated and I have rung half a dozen more in the area but they are all too busy. My horse is desperate for new shoes, what can I do?
A. There does not appear to be a shortage of farriers nationally but local shortages do occur from time to time. In my own local area several farriers have emigrated recently and others have retired or suffered from illness or injury. These kinds of circumstances can cause problems until new farriers come along to fill the gap. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view we are out of recession and in a period of economic boom and so more people are wanting to keep horses.
Farriers don’t like to turn customers away but because shoeing is such a physical job it just is not possible to take on extra work without causing physical problems for the farrier and a drop in standards of workmanship and service.
Only qualified and registered farriers are allowed to practise in this country and this does limit the supply of farriers somewhat, but it does ensure that anyone who calls himself a farrier is properly trained.
The training system itself is very restrictive and many farriers who might wish to take on an apprentice do not find it worth their while to do so any more, especially when it comes to training older people who do not benefit from grants and who have to be paid more than youngsters. In fact the opportunities for anyone over the age of twenty one to become a farrier are virtually nil at present.
A good way to find a farrier is on the internet at The Forge Pages free “find a farrier service” which is to be found at http://www.the-forge-pages.co.uk. Otherwise write to the Farriers Registration Council at Sefton House, Adam Court, Newark Road, Peterborough PE1 5PP and they will send you a list of farriers in your region.
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