American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
The old ways of teaching apprentices developed more than just skill. They taught grit, humility and pride in craftsmanship. Steve Teichman
The Farrier Apprentice’s Path: What Happened to the Willing Hands?
As the industry shifts, a Hall of Fame farrier explores why the old ways of learning are fading and how mentors can bridge the gap for today’s aspiring hoof-care professionals
Takeaways
- Farriers today face significant difficulties finding reliable help, which may stem from a modern shift in how younger generations value time, effort, and immediate rewards compared to the past.
- Traditional “rough” apprenticeships taught aspiring farriers much more than technical skills; they instilled essential personal values, including resilience, humility and pride in their craftsmanship.
- To bridge the gap for today’s aspiring hoof-care professionals, veteran farriers must find constructive, patient ways to pass down the invaluable lessons they learned the hard way.
Why is it so challenging today to find help? This is an issue across the board, not just for farriers but in all industries. Are they afraid, lazy, is it upbringing, do they not want or like a challenge?
This is an issue today for the farriers who struggle with apprentices — to have or not to have has been a question. Why was so much different when I was a young farrier in the 1970s than when my career was at its conclusion? I had many a helper/apprentice, and I was not an easy guy to work for, although I softened a bit as I got older.
Folks in my age group (born in the 1950s or earlier), I would love your thoughts on why our generation worked so hard to learn and did it for free or even paid for it? Education is never wasted. I’m not talking about farrier schools; I’m talking about the time you put in after, when the real learning begins. What happened?
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American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
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