When I did my 5-year apprenticeship with my father, he said listen, shoeing horses can be hard work. “When your ass is higher than your head, it’s not natural,” he said.

So the best thing you can do is learn how to get under the horse with as few trips as possible, then you can straighten your back.

He also said, always have at least five strides between your anvil and your forge so you can stand up straight and walk.

That makes a big difference, and if you compare that with the racing industry where guys are bending down all the time but don’t straighten up, they’re backs will give them some problems.

Remember: Sound, safe, secure, simple.