You may struggle to find clients when you are starting out. Your area may lack the number of potential clients to sustain your practice. Perhaps you lack the skill, experience and confidence to work with clients on your own. Whatever the reason, you may consider working as an apprentice when you launch your career.

Many novice farriers will work in an apprenticeship while they serve clients on their own. This solution allows them to improve their knowledge and gain experience under a mentor while developing a sustainable practice.

This was the case for Kelley House, a shoer from Colgate, Wis. Seven years ago, the journeyman tool and die maker found himself out of work. Seeing the opportunities of similar manufacturing jobs disappearing the United States, House decided to change careers and become a horseshoer.

Today, he shoes 3 days on his own and apprentices 2 days each week in Hall Of Fame shoer Red Renchin’s multi-farrier practice.