Farriery is one of the oldest and most respected careers in the equestrian world. A farrier is responsible for the health, care, and maintenance of a horse’s feet, combining specialist knowledge of anatomy, blacksmithing, and equine care. It’s a hands-on, physically demanding job, but for the right person, it’s hugely rewarding.
In the UK you must be registered with the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) as it is a regulated profession.
Entrance Requirements for an Apprenticeship
To become a qualified farrier, you must complete the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Farriery, which usually takes four years. This is a work-based route, meaning you learn directly under an experienced, registered farrier (your Approved Training Farrier, or ATF) while also attending a recognised college for formal learning blocks.
To qualify for an apprenticeship, you either need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D)(or National 5s), or equivalent for entry to a Level 2 Access to Farriery college course (which takes around 12 months to complete)
or
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C)(or National 5s), or equivalent, including English, maths and science plus a City and Guilds Forgework Certificate
or
- You can join the army as a soldier in the Household Cavalry and after 2 years as a mounted ceremonial trooper, you’ll be eligible to apply for the Forge within the regiment and join a team of farriers.
You’ll need to find an ATF (Approved Training Farrier) who agrees to take you on before applying for the apprenticeship programme. You can find ATFs on the FRC website here.
Attending College
During your apprenticeship, you’ll attend one of the approved colleges for intensive training blocks. These include theory (anatomy, biomechanics, diseases of the hoof) and practical work (forging, shoeing techniques).
There are currently three colleges in the UK which teach Farriery:
- Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College (Holme Lacy)
- Myerscough College
- Warwickshire College Group (Moreton Morrell)
Qualify and Register
At the end of your apprenticeship, you must pass the End-Point Assessment and apply for registration with the Farriers Registration Council (FRC). Once registered, you are legally allowed to work as a farrier in the UK.
You will officially earn the title DipWCF (Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers), which is recognised across the UK and respected worldwide.
Working as a Farrier
Once qualified, farriers often work self-employed, travelling from yard to yard. Others may join equine hospitals, racing yards, the mounted police, the army, or even specialise in remedial shoeing in partnership with vets.
With experience, you can:
- Become an ATF and train apprentices
- Specialise in performance horses or remedial farriery
- Go on to gain the Associate (AWCF) or Fellowship (FWCF) of the Worshipful Company of Farriers