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Do I need to go to shoeing school?
Post At
08/12/2011 - 10:52 am
reply from
Walker Cooper
Ever since I saw a farrier shoe a horse when I was about 14 I knew thats what I wanted to do. However I had another dream of being an archaeologist so I figured that since I was going to college I might as well study to be an archaeologist and live that dream out for a couple of years.
Now that archaeology has run its course, I want to get intoshoeing. I am looking at schools and most are pretty expensive (at leastI think so) or I can't get enough federal aid to offset the cost because I already have a BA. So my question is, do I need to go to shoeing school
or can I learn just as much through a traditional apprenticeship with a qualified
farrier?
I'm going to make this happen one way or another just wondering what some pros thoughts were on the subject.
Now that archaeology has run its course, I want to get intoshoeing. I am looking at schools and most are pretty expensive (at leastI think so) or I can't get enough federal aid to offset the cost because I already have a BA. So my question is, do I need to go to shoeing school
or can I learn just as much through a traditional apprenticeship with a qualified
farrier?
I'm going to make this happen one way or another just wondering what some pros thoughts were on the subject.
Reply at
08/13/2011 - 11:28 am
reply from
Kim Kobow
Saturday AM, August 13, 2011
Walker ....
I have come to see that it's really "where your heart is at". I have seen young fellas acquire or have the financial assistance (family or goverment or their own bank account) .... head off to one of the best schools in the land and then as they come home, it seems that they didn't receive anything from that place of study. On the other hand I've seen fellas go to a lesser ranking school followed by a "serious" apprenticeship with a very qualified farrier and they "blossom" to a place not visited by many..... It really matters where your "heart" is at ..... and it does sound as though you really have the desire. There a just a few "Really Good" schools in the USA .... if you could afford one of them .... they would really jump start your career. If NOT ..... get the basics from a qualified Junior College course BUT then back that up with a VERY SERIOUS apprenticeship with a Journeyman that has a number of years under his belt .... with the emphasis on his "years under belt" NOT the "journeyman card" .... too many of those are given out like Cracker Jack prizes. And make sure that they really are good .... not just because three "johnny come lately horse owners" said that he's qualified ..... unfortunately, we also need to help the horse owner with their educational programs ..... for their "lack of" .... continues to allow a "lack of" ...... in the world of farriers.
AND THEN ...... once you can "hang that shingle out" ..... continue that "educational process" ..... FOREVER !!! ..... there are so many gatherings going on all of the time .... clinics, seminars, sometimes just a group of fellas getting together and bending iron and exchanging ideas .....
The important part that I see in your post-it-note .....is: "your heart and desire" ..... that is what will bring you to success ..... "A true seeker will never cease to seek".
Kim Kobow
CCFS / Salinas, CA
Walker ....
I have come to see that it's really "where your heart is at". I have seen young fellas acquire or have the financial assistance (family or goverment or their own bank account) .... head off to one of the best schools in the land and then as they come home, it seems that they didn't receive anything from that place of study. On the other hand I've seen fellas go to a lesser ranking school followed by a "serious" apprenticeship with a very qualified farrier and they "blossom" to a place not visited by many..... It really matters where your "heart" is at ..... and it does sound as though you really have the desire. There a just a few "Really Good" schools in the USA .... if you could afford one of them .... they would really jump start your career. If NOT ..... get the basics from a qualified Junior College course BUT then back that up with a VERY SERIOUS apprenticeship with a Journeyman that has a number of years under his belt .... with the emphasis on his "years under belt" NOT the "journeyman card" .... too many of those are given out like Cracker Jack prizes. And make sure that they really are good .... not just because three "johnny come lately horse owners" said that he's qualified ..... unfortunately, we also need to help the horse owner with their educational programs ..... for their "lack of" .... continues to allow a "lack of" ...... in the world of farriers.
AND THEN ...... once you can "hang that shingle out" ..... continue that "educational process" ..... FOREVER !!! ..... there are so many gatherings going on all of the time .... clinics, seminars, sometimes just a group of fellas getting together and bending iron and exchanging ideas .....
The important part that I see in your post-it-note .....is: "your heart and desire" ..... that is what will bring you to success ..... "A true seeker will never cease to seek".
Kim Kobow
CCFS / Salinas, CA
Reply at
08/13/2011 - 11:22 pm
reply from
chris richardson
Hey Walker, here's my take on it - You're an archaeologist, you know how to study. Research should not be a problem for you. What you need is some basic skills in blacksmithing, tool use, and horsemanship - you may already have them, i don't know. I'd reccomend riding with a farrier and playing in the forge for a little while, and reading everything you can on the subject. Give yourself a full year as an 'apprentice' in order to develope the muscle memory for the job, and then make a determiation as to whether or not this is a career for you. Let us know where you are located and we can set you up with some great farriers to ride with.
My $0.02
My $0.02
Reply at
08/16/2011 - 2:49 pm
reply from
Walker Cooper
Kim and Chris,
Thanks so much for the advice. The more folks I talk to the more I'm getting the feeling that you can accomplish your goals without heading off to school. I can see where you are coming from, Kim, with saying that school can jump start your carrer. Luckly I'm living in Lexington, KY right now so there is no shortage of qulifaied farriers around.
Chris: As I said above I'm in Lexington, KY so if you know anyone who would like to teach a newbie let me know becasue I'm ready to get started asap.
Thanks again for the advice guys. Its really appreciated.
Thanks so much for the advice. The more folks I talk to the more I'm getting the feeling that you can accomplish your goals without heading off to school. I can see where you are coming from, Kim, with saying that school can jump start your carrer. Luckly I'm living in Lexington, KY right now so there is no shortage of qulifaied farriers around.
Chris: As I said above I'm in Lexington, KY so if you know anyone who would like to teach a newbie let me know becasue I'm ready to get started asap.
Thanks again for the advice guys. Its really appreciated.
Reply at
08/17/2011 - 3:54 pm
reply from
Caroline Simson
Walker,
I went to the Kentucky Horseshoeing School last year (in richmond). I know they had open forge nights occasionally when I was there, you might want to check and see if they're still doing that. good luck,
Caroline
I went to the Kentucky Horseshoeing School last year (in richmond). I know they had open forge nights occasionally when I was there, you might want to check and see if they're still doing that. good luck,
Caroline
Reply at
03/23/2012 - 11:19 am
reply from
Matthew Moss
Walker....
By no stretch of the imagination do I consider myself a Farrier, but I know quite a number of established farriers and from what I understand is if anatomy is not a strong point for you then find a school that has a affordable anatomy course or whatever your weak point(s) are and go from there.
By no stretch of the imagination do I consider myself a Farrier, but I know quite a number of established farriers and from what I understand is if anatomy is not a strong point for you then find a school that has a affordable anatomy course or whatever your weak point(s) are and go from there.
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