Farrier

OFO No: 684902

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – The Job of a Farrier

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Farrier?

A Farrier is a professional person trained to make and fit shoes to horses’ hooves. 

A Farrier is a specialised blacksmith – making and styling horse shoes out of metal.  Their job is highly skilled as they need to be skilled in metals as well as working with horses and ponies.

They usually work in rural or semi-rural areas.

What does a Farrier do?

• makes regular inspections: removes and replaces horse shoes
• trims and checks hooves for disease
• deals with and understands client’s needs
• combines technical competence with horsemanship
• designs specialised shoes to correct the horse’s gait, or correct other medical conditions

Are you … ?

• physically fit
• strong?
• a person with good eyesight and hearing?
• good with horses?
• responsible?
• good with your hands?

How do I become a Farrier?

Most Farriers start their career as an apprentice, working alongside an already trained Farrier.

Suggestion: Try meeting a Farrier in a local stable or on horse farm.  Speak to them.  They might be able to help you.

PATH 1

• Apprenticeship
• Trade Test

PATH 2

• Learnership – Equine Studies NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 3

• Learnership – Foundry Operations (Foundry Melting) NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 4

• Learnership – Foundry Operations (Metal Tooling) Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 5

• National Certificate: Engineering Studies: N1, N2 and N3
• These can be done at many TVET (FET) colleges. Check out your local college.
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test

PATH 6

• Artisan Internship
• Trade Test

PATH 7

• RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
• If you have already been working a long time as a Farrier without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
• Trade Test

Here is one place where you can study to becomed a Farrier:

• EQUIWORKS SA:  (Durban) offers a course in Farriery

• SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FARRIERS (SAAPF)

http://www.saapf.co.za/

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Blacksmith … or … Welder … or … Horse Trainer

Is becoming a Farrier the right career choice for me?