An apprentice on a farrier apprenticeship course is responsible for caring for and treating horses’ feet. As an apprentice, you will learn to care for the feet of a wide range of horses, from pleasure riders to top competition horses. In addition, you’ll learn how to assess horses and how they move.
You’ll be responsible for the quality and accuracy of your work, as well as developing the communication skills required to discuss the condition of horses and their hooves with owners and other professionals, such as veterinarians, and progressing to the point where you can offer advice on various horse welfare options, ranging from a pasture trim to basic remedial work on lame animals.
Farriery is a regulated profession, and all farriers must first pass the DipWCF exam before they may legally practise. Once qualified, you may work in farriery practise either alone or as part of a team.
What you’ll learn
On a farrier apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:
- Identify different equine breeds and types
- Identify the requirement of the individual equine according to its breed, and type and select a suitable shoeing material and style where applicable.
- Recognise the pathologies and biomechanic abnormalities that may predispose lameness in equines.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science for an advanced apprenticeship
- Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.
Assessment methods
The End Point Assessment comprises three distinct assessment methods:
- Written Test
- Professional Discussion
- Practical Assessment
Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion
- Duration: 42 months
-
Level: 3 – Advanced Apprenticeship
- Relevant school subjects: Science and DT
- Potential salary upon completion: £20,000 per annum
Apprenticeship standard
More information about the Level 3 Farrier Apprenticeship standard can be found here.
Apprenticeship end point assessment
For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.