Troy Price and his wife Jennifer have opened a school in Indiana that will offer a wide range of horseshoeing courses from beginner to advanced levels.
The Troy Price Horseshoeing School, located in Uniondale, Ind., about 25 miles south of Fort Wayne, offers courses ranging from 2-week programs for horse hobbyists who want to learn the basic skills of being a farrier, all the way up to a 36-week journeyman program for aspiring full-time farriers who want to operate their own horseshoeing business.
A full schedule of classes is set to begin on March 17, 2014.
"We've finally been able to start telling people about the school, advertising it, sending out brochures and business cards," Price says.
The school has received a temporary accreditation status from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development's Office for Career and Technical Schools.
Price said the accreditation process began about a year ago and was approved in mid-July. He said employees from the Workforce Development Office will observe classes over the next year before making a decision on permanent accreditation.
He said the process of getting accredited included things ensuring the facility had adequate restrooms, dorm space and other procedural items.
Once full accreditation is received, it will be the only state-accredited horseshoeing school in Indiana, and will be regulated by the State Workforce Innovation Council.
Price will limit all classes to a maximum of six participants at this time to "keep the one-on-one experience as much as possible."
He has gotten inquiries from a handful of farriers who are interested in the basic classes all the way up to his 36-week advanced horseshoeing class.
The 6-week horseshoeing class will teach farriers "just the basics," he says. "We'll just show you how to trim and shoe a horse."
The more advanced classes will feature more in-depth work including modifying shoes and forge work.
Price has been shoeing horses and operating a farrier business full time for more than 20 years.
He has gained national recognition in the world of farriery, participating in numerous national and international competitions and serving as a five-time national team member for the American Farrier's Association. He was a Top 10 finalist five times at the World Championship Blacksmith Competition in Calgary, Canada.
In addition to operating his horseshoeing school, Price will continue to operate his farrier business in Indiana, as well as judging farrier competitions and instructing clinics for local farrier chapters and associations throughout the U.S.
"I may get some help from other guys around the area if I need to," Price says of his increased work load. "But it's just a normal life for me. I'm usually pretty busy."
Follow the link for more information and to register for classes.