One thing's for sure in the farrier industry, there’s always something new to learn.

A good place to start learning is through an apprenticeship. “Nothing bad could possibly come out of being an apprentice,” says Mark Ellis, who apprenticed and worked with International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame member Red Renchin in Mequon, Wis., for almost 10 years.

This Butler, Wis., farrier and others highly recommend learning the business through apprenticing.

“You don’t get under that many horses when you’re at school,” says Ellis. “You need to get your hands dirty.”

Farrier Mike Ehlert, of Hartford, Wis., who was Renchin’s very first apprentice, agrees. “You have more of a hands-on experience when apprenticing.”

“You’ll get the opportunity to see a lot of different horses and a lot more day-to-day experience than you’ll ever learn in 12 weeks of school,” adds Hollister, Calif., Certified Farrier Mike Swartz, who attended shoeing school and then…