Fitting horse shoes is a good career choice
Being a farrier is a dedicated yet hard working job.
Although a scarce skill in our modern world, a farrier is responsible for the horses’ hooves.
A student doesn’t need to go to a school to study this trade, but learns under mentorship.
Bruwer Burger (31) a farrier working in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, says there are only a few farriers left in the country pursuing this career.
To become one he suggests subjects including biology and business economics in matric.
Bruwer has been a farrier for 10 years and says his love for horses made him choose this career.
“This is a trade young people – not only those who ride horses – should consider,” he says.
The work entails fitting shoes for horses, trimming and cutting hooves.
Currently there is no farrier school in South Africa.
Most of the training will be practical and under the mentorship of a qualified farrier.
Depending on the mentor the student might have to buy his own equipment while being trained.
The basic equipment necessary are the hoof knife, hoof nippers, nailing hammer, nailing clincher, leather apron and safety boots.
“It is a rewarding industry, but it takes a lot of hard work and commitment,” says Bruwer.
According to him experience in this trade counts, and that will assist you in building up a good client-farrier relationship.
