Most farriers will agree that newbies can improve their abilities and knowledge right after hoof-care school by riding with a mentor. Although needs like having to support your family or a late start in the career can force you to go it alone, serving as an apprentice can develop your ability and give you invaluable connections in the equine community.
Perhaps you have the time to commit to an apprenticeship. If so, here’s some advice from established horseshoers about the subject.
Where To Look
When searching for an apprenticeship, Grand Valley, Ontario, farrier Brian Hull says to look for someone who has a good reputation in areas like patience and understanding how to properly shoe horses — the qualities you will want associated with you.
“Does he or she sweep the barn floor after finishing shoeing, is polite to the customers and stable workers or on time for the appointments?” asks Hull.
If you are interested in talking with a farrier, he says to ask the horse owner when the next appointment is and if you can come and meet the shoer.
Locate farriers by looking in the local newspapers or horse publications, finding business cards in feed or tack stores and attending horse shows. “Talk to the farrier working at the show — maybe he or she knows a farrier looking for an apprentice,” he says
Apprenticing offers benefits beyond learning trimming and shoeing techniques. “You can learn the best way to get paid, how to deal with different types of customers, clients’ attitudes towards farriers or how to work with veterinarians,” says Hull.
He suggests that you answer two questions before beginning an apprenticeship. Determine how long you are willing to apprentice because the mentor may require a different period of time.
Also, the mentor may work with other apprentices — are you willing to work in an atmosphere like that?
Tom Rock of Wadsworth, Ill., says new farriers looking for apprenticeships should find out who the shoers are in their area. “Make as many calls as they can to find out who is looking and what type of horse they shoe,” he says.
For him, one of the biggest mistakes recent graduates of shoeing schools can make is thinking they know what they are doing right out of school. Rock believes there is much more to learn than mechanics.
“Not only will they learn skills from someone, but they will get the fitness that is really needed to complete a day of work on their own,” says Rock. “Most apprentices will only be pulling shoes and finishing to start. They may think that they are just doing the grunt work, but it gives them the time to watch and learn the trimming and shoe shaping.”
Usually after some time, according to Rock, new farriers will start doing some trims and then the referrals will start coming. “This will give them their own business to start building,” he explains.
“They should also attend as many clinics and seminars as possible. I believe that once you stop learning in this business, then it is time for you to find another career.”
Eric Fischer of Jackson, N.J., went a different route. He apprenticed and then went to school. Fischer feels attending school has paid off because potential clients usually ask where he went to shoeing school.
“I think the best thing for a shoer would be to go to school first and have somebody lined up for when you get out to travel with on an apprenticeship,” says Fischer. “Let them decide when you are ready to strike out on your own.”
Vero Beach, Fla., shoer Tom Curl thinks you should determine what kind of shoeing discipline you are interested in before looking for an apprenticeship. This allows you to look at specific places for a farrier to work with.
“You’ll save time by finding someone who can really help your career,” says Curl. “If you want to shoe racehorses, go to the track and ask about the best shoer there. That’s the person you want to work with.
“This will introduce you to potential clients already in that discipline,” says the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame member. “By associating yourself with the best, it’ll be easier to make a name for your business.”
In a proper apprenticeship, you will advance to become a useful hand for the mentoring farrier. Also, you will have an expert nearby to get you out of any potential jams.
What Are The Qualities Of A Good Mentor
Like Hull, Carthage, N.C., shoer Martin Kenny advises new farriers to get out in the equine community to line up an apprenticeship.
“Go to show barns and speak to the people the people that work there, as well as the owners,” says Kenny. “Often times, the workers know the farrier better than the owners.”
Kenny wants you to be judicious in your search. Ask the folks at the barn about any farriers who educate others.
“A true teacher loves to teach and can’t help but to educate anyone around him or her,” believes Kenny. “I’d rather have an apprentice be around a mediocre farrier that loves to teach than a great one that is not a good teacher.”
Besides finding someone who wants to share information, find a mentor who works well with owners and trainers, all while exercising modesty.
“Stay away from a farrier that tells others how good he or she is,” warns Kenny. “One that is truly good doesn’t need to tell everyone this.”
A key to learning is collecting and analyzing data. Make sure your mentor is one who embraces this honestly.
“This is important for proving to yourself if things are going as good as you believe,” says Kenny. “Otherwise, you can fool yourself to thinking that things are better than they truly are.”
Help Not Wanted
Consider the area you will work in now that you have finished school. You may have trouble lining up an apprenticeship for a number of reasons. You may want to move to a new area. Relocating may not be an option and you’ll have to start fighting your way to make a career without help from others.
When Jim Goede graduated from horseshoeing school in October 2002, he had trouble lining up an apprenticeship. The Norco, Calif., shoer tried several farriers, but all but one ignored his calls. He believes the other shoers weren’t interested in helping potential competition improve.
“It is specific to my area, I don’t think many other areas are like this,” explains Goede. “It is very cliquish and competitive. Guys don’t want to pay for someone to ride with them who might end up replacing them.
“It is mostly trail riders and backyard horses here. This is a hard place to begin a shoeing career. Some of the owners out here will drop you if they find someone $5 cheaper.”
Goede advises farriers in this situation to distinguish themselves by working with other equine professionals. He has developed a solid reputation by working with veterinarians.
The former high-tech professional believes an apprenticeship is the best way to go after school, but in his late 40s at the time, Goede couldn’t wait and had to go out on his own.
Improving your skills when you meet resistance
Goede believes using the Internet and reading American Farriers Journal helped improve his approach to shoeing and business.
The California farrier advises shoers in situations like his to also join their local association. And just because you can’t find an apprenticeship doesn’t mean you shouldn’t obtain a mentor.
“I also utilized the advice of Lee Green at the Shoein’ Shop in Yucaipa, Calif., who was gracious enough to help me out when I needed,” recalls Goede.
Going out on your own could shape your career quicker.
“It think sometimes it could be a benefit — you are more motivated to learn,” says Goede. “And often if you just have one apprenticeship, you might be inclined to think there is only one way of doing things.”
Mike Cheramie of Temecula, Calif., is another who didn’t apprentice. He was trimming and shoeing horses before going to shoeing school. After 20 years in the United States Marines, he wanted to pursue farrier work.
Cheramie’s experience in farriery placed him far ahead where most school graduates find themselves. He believes you need to give yourself a thorough self-evaluation before forgoing an apprenticeship.
“If you are weak in your trimming and problem solving skills, then you are going to get into trouble fast,” says Cheramie. “Many new farriers don’t have the these abilities and the horse handling skills necessary to be successful on their own.
“You also need to know how to run your practice as a business. Business skills are important, just as important as farrier skills. If you are lacking in these areas, you better start looking for an apprenticeship with a well-respected farrier.” ?
