A mounted officer in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is in line to become its first female farrier, according to the service’s newsletter.
Sgt. Vernadene Jonker is turning her attention to hoof care after 16 years in Kamesh Crime Prevention and the Operational Command Centre. She enrolled in the SAPS Farrier Development Program after joining the Gqeberha Mounted Unit in 2019 and completing the Basic Mounted Policing Course and the Stable Official Course in 2021. Two years later, Jonker began farrier training for the SAPS horses.
Sgt. Vernadene Jonker is 2 years into farrier training for the South African Police Service (SAPS). She will be SAPS’ first female farrier upon completion of the program. Image: SAPS
Jonker hopes that females aspiring to become farriers learn from her experiences and take inspiration from them.
“Let my story be your signal,” she says. “You can lead, you can serve, you can master any skill; you are strong, you are capable, you are next.”
