Farrier

Nailing on shoes

A farrier is a person who works with iron, or other materials, to make horseshoes and take care of horse's hooves. They check for signs of disease and make sure the feet are well cared for.

History

At one time, a farrier and blacksmith had almost the same job, which can be seen by the etymology of the word: farrier comes from Middle French: ferrier ("blacksmith"), from the Latin word ferrum ("iron").^[1] Today, farriers usually specialize in horseshoeing, and on the care of the horse's hoof. For this reason farriers and blacksmiths are now known to be different jobs.

Law

By law, in Great Britain, it is illegal for anyone except a registered farrier to call themselves a farrier or to carry out any farriery work under the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975.^[2] The main aim of this act is to "prevent and avoid suffering by and cruelty to horses arising from the shoeing of horses by unskilled persons".

Worshipful Company of Farriers

The Worshipful Company of Farriers a London Livery Company, was set up in 1356. It still offers diplomas which are recognised qualifications to be a modern farrier.^[3]

Farrier Media

Bob Demuyser: The Farrier
Some farrier tools, including hammers, nippers, rasps, and hoof knife, as well as a set of custom-made corrective shoes on the ground below the toolset
Farrier Jim, KnockBracken, Co. Antrim, Ireland January 2015 Tools
Farrier Jim, KnockBracken, Co. Antrim, Ireland January 2015 Tools
Tools of an italian farrier: a right hoof knife.
The nippers are used to trim the hoof wall
Farrier Jim, KnockBracken, Co. Antrim, Ireland January 2015