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Apprenticing
Post At
01/ 5/2011 - 1:18 pm
reply from
Peter Dunbar
I am a a college student who has studied blacksmithing quite a bit and is ver comfortable around a forge. I am very knowledgeable about metal work in general (I am a certified welder) and like horses. When I was little I mucked stalls at the barn my sister rode at and really enjoyed it. I have a basic knowledge of horses but that's it. I would like to apprentice as a farrier but I have not gone to farrier school. I can work all day every day and would work for free for as long as I am a burden more than an asset, and expect that I would have to read up on horses and farrier-ing in general and fully expect to do little besides tool maintenance for the first few months. I can buy tools and all the other requisite equipment. All that considered, is it worth asking around to see if a farrier would take me on or do I absolutely have to attend a school first?
Reply at
01/ 5/2011 - 5:46 pm
reply from
Dr. Esco Buff, PhD, CF
Hello Peter,
there are a couple of ways to go about learning to be a farrier. Certainly apprentising with a farrier to make sure you want to enter this field is one way. You can learn a lot, good and bad. In the end, I recommend everyone attend a farrier school (a good farrier school) in order to get a lot of the basics down, as well as develope the contacts in order to tap into so you can get advice, recommendations, etc. There are a few farriers I know who never went to school and are top notch. They are that way because the personally strive to learn and understand. So both ways have merits, pros and cons. All in all, my opinion is go to school, apprentice after school, then ease into your own business.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes,
Esco Buff, PhD, CF
there are a couple of ways to go about learning to be a farrier. Certainly apprentising with a farrier to make sure you want to enter this field is one way. You can learn a lot, good and bad. In the end, I recommend everyone attend a farrier school (a good farrier school) in order to get a lot of the basics down, as well as develope the contacts in order to tap into so you can get advice, recommendations, etc. There are a few farriers I know who never went to school and are top notch. They are that way because the personally strive to learn and understand. So both ways have merits, pros and cons. All in all, my opinion is go to school, apprentice after school, then ease into your own business.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes,
Esco Buff, PhD, CF
Reply at
01/21/2011 - 2:55 pm
reply from
Derek Grimwood
Peter,
Go to school and then apprentice. If you are good I'm sure there is a farrier out there that is ready to semi retire or retire, who would take you in. If I had to do it over again I would have found the Best Farrier to Apprentice with that I could and who was wanting to retire within a few years. It would be ideal if you could do the same and work something out so your part became more and his part became less until he eventually retired and you took over the business. You would benefit from all of his knowledge and would not have the pains of building up your pricing or client base. You would benefit from what would take someone such as myself a lifetime to attain. Also, it would be a benefit for the Instructor because he can still be involved, do what he can at his pace and be out in the community.
Go to school and then apprentice. If you are good I'm sure there is a farrier out there that is ready to semi retire or retire, who would take you in. If I had to do it over again I would have found the Best Farrier to Apprentice with that I could and who was wanting to retire within a few years. It would be ideal if you could do the same and work something out so your part became more and his part became less until he eventually retired and you took over the business. You would benefit from all of his knowledge and would not have the pains of building up your pricing or client base. You would benefit from what would take someone such as myself a lifetime to attain. Also, it would be a benefit for the Instructor because he can still be involved, do what he can at his pace and be out in the community.
Reply at
01/22/2011 - 3:01 pm
reply from
Robert Holt
Peter,
It would be best to go to school. However not every person has life circumstances that allow for lengthy stays in school. Apprenticeships are no better or worse than the Farrier you apprentice under. So if school is not an option then be sure to seek out a well respected and qualified farrier to work under. If needed spend time with multiple Farriers to gain the strong points of each. Good luck.
It would be best to go to school. However not every person has life circumstances that allow for lengthy stays in school. Apprenticeships are no better or worse than the Farrier you apprentice under. So if school is not an option then be sure to seek out a well respected and qualified farrier to work under. If needed spend time with multiple Farriers to gain the strong points of each. Good luck.
Reply at
07/29/2011 - 3:31 pm
reply from
Derek Grimwood
Peter,
If your still out there it would be nice to hear which path you chose and how it is working out for you.
If your still out there it would be nice to hear which path you chose and how it is working out for you.
Reply at
01/ 2/2012 - 12:35 am
reply from
Esco,Â
  Which schools would you recommend?
  Which schools would you recommend?
Reply at
01/ 2/2012 - 5:19 am
reply from
Dr. Esco Buff, PhD, CF
Travis,
There are many schools and it is what you make of them that probably counts the most. That being said, my opion and recommendations usually are:
Bob Smith's Pacific Coast Horseshoeing,
Danny Ward's Horseshoeing School, and
Chris Gregory's Heartland Horseshoeing School.
There are many schools and it is what you make of them that probably counts the most. That being said, my opion and recommendations usually are:
Bob Smith's Pacific Coast Horseshoeing,
Danny Ward's Horseshoeing School, and
Chris Gregory's Heartland Horseshoeing School.
Reply at
01/ 2/2012 - 8:18 am
reply from
Bob Smith
I highly recommend Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School :-)
Reply at
01/ 2/2012 - 6:32 pm
reply from
John Muldoon
5 star horseshoeing school in Minco Oklahoma has some of the best one on one due to the small size of Dusty's classes
Reply at
01/ 3/2012 - 5:22 am
reply from
Don shepherd
where are you located? Sounds like you are motivated and have some good basics. I would welcome you to ride along with me if you are anywere near Connecticut or southern Mass. even if you are not close I would be glad to answer questions.Â
hotfit@aol.com
hotfit@aol.com
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