Shoeing for the horses among various disciplines involve a multitude of approaches for each group. The same goes for working in those various disciplines. Tom Curl, a veteran shoer from Vero Beach, Fla., has worked with Thoroughbred racehorses throughout the United States.
For him, one of the most important things a shoer must know about finding success in this discipline is who you start out with. Trying to go at it on your own from the start is just too difficult.
"More guys than ever use apprentices," he says. "Don't seek out the most successful person. Instead, find the most respected farrier who is the go-to-guy at the track. That mentor may not always be the busiest guy, but will likely be widely respected.
Curl recalls his start with racing Thoroughbreds. Despite a national reputation with hunters and jumpers, he found it took him years before he could be recognized on tracks throughout the U.S.
When searching for that mentor, tell him or her who you are and what you want ot get out of the experience. Once you find him or her, Curl says be prepared to work hard for only a little bit of money.
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