Farrier

You would make horseshoes and attach them to horses’ hooves. You’d care for animals’ feet and identify any health problems with their legs and feet.

You’d work mainly with horses but also with donkeys and mules. You’d need to have an interest in horses and understand their behaviour.

You would:

• Discuss and agree the horse’s shoeing requirements with the owner
• Check the horse's leg, foot and hooves
• Cut away any excess growth on the hooves and make sure that the horse is properly balanced
• Choose the most suitable type of shoe for the horse's size, foot condition, type of activity and working conditions
• Make horseshoes by hand or machine
• Adjust the shape of the shoes, using a hammer and anvil
• Fit the horseshoes

You may also work with veterinary surgeons and equine hospitals to provide corrective shoeing and surgical farriery.

As a farrier, you would use some of the same skills as a blacksmith, though blacksmiths can only fit shoes to horses if they are registered as farriers.

Most farriers are self-employed, so you would need to organise your own bookings and order your own stock and tools. You would also need to keep accounts and promote your business.