Apparently, to the uninitiated, farriery is going much the same way as crinolines and corsets - into history. Horse owners, however, would say otherwise and in actual fact the industry, far from dying, is booming.

There is no shortage of lads keen to start and if they make it successfully to the end of the four-year course, their certificate from the Worshipful Company of Farriers is recognised world wide. For Britain has the most advanced and comprehensive training system, producing the best farriers in the world or - so those in the industry will tell you. If international competitions are a guide, then it is to be believed. The British team has won the world championship an almost embarrassing number of times and the current world champion is British.

"Farriers are highly competitive," said Les Armstrong, president of the National Association of Farriers, Blacksmiths and Agricultural Engineers (NAFBAEE). "It's this competitive spirit that has spurred farriers to achieve the standard of excellence in the UK today.

Would-be farriers start as an apprentice to an approved training farrier where they earn a wage while learning the job. It is hard physical work which is exacting and not for the faint hearted. One such young man is Jonathon Andrew Kirk who is adamant about becoming to be a farrier. There is no question about it. He has known for five years. "In fact, it's what I've always wanted to do" he declared. "I like horses; I like working with steel and I like meeting people."

He knows exactly his intended pathway to achieving this goal. "I leave school in one year four months after taking GCSE and then go to a pre-farrier course at Warwickshire College to establish whether it's really what I want to do. From there I will take the forging exam, which I have to pass to take up the apprenticeship I've been offered in two years' time."

The 15-year-old becomes impressively articulate talking about his chosen career, his single mindedness is as plain as the freckles on his face. In this age of apathy amongst young people it is refreshing to find such enthusiasm. Not all new recruits have such an attitude. The demands of the job quite often puts them off, as one farrier who usually employs about four apprentices said: "It's hard getting good lads who are prepared to work. They often prefer to sit in front of a computer. Fortunately work experience generally shows them up. I only usually get on average one good apprentice a year."

Hard work doesn't deter the enthusiastic. Matthew Walker passed his final qualification in January and is setting up as a mobile farrier in his area. "I'm excited about it now the exams are out of the way," he said. "It's a job that whatever you put in, you get out. The more you do the more you get out of it. At the end of the day you are responsible for yourself."

Jonathon is fortunate to come from a family steeped in farriery, so not only could he absorb the ethos of the industry from an early age from days in the forge or with his grandfather messing about with hammer and anvil. His family knew the correct procedure to obtaining an apprenticeship. For others it is not so simple. Matthew Walker had a problem. "Teachers didn't know about it," he said. "Most people think it's just about lobbing a shoe on a horse but it's much more than that. I had to get the Farriers Registration Council address via someone who had a horse in the end, it was quite a palava."

Certainly the careers co-coordinator at the Boston comprehensive school near Wetherby had limited information on how to go about becoming a farrier, and the local occupational information database had no information whatever.

The fact that sufficient information is not available to schools and websites is apparent, but could be easily rectified by more pro active marketing. More serious problems for the industry have come with the ban on hunting.

The effect of the ban in relation to employment and jobs within the equestrian industry has been played down by all those in favour of the ban - and I include the Government here, despite numerous statistics that have been produced. NAFBAEE conducted a survey within its membership showing 17 apprentices will become redundant immediately and, coincidentally, 17 skilled men with lose their jobs. The industry will experience a downturn in the region of 30pc. Farriers in Devon and Leicestershire, areas with a strong hunting influence, will be very badly affected but the knock-on effect will be country wide as farriers move out of their area to work.

Les Armstrong expressed concern about this in a letter to Rural Affairs Minister, Alun Michael. "But I have had no response whatsoever," he said. However, Mr Armstrong is not going to let the matter rest there. "I am taking issue with Mr Michael on the question of recompense for loss of business for our members."

NAFBAEE has been a completely non-political organisation since its foundation. Mr Armstrong personally has no interest in hunting but the Government has clearly made a very unfavourable impression from its apparent cavalier attitude over the potential loss of jobs due to this ban. It seems ministers might well now meet their cum uppance. Mr Armstrong is on their case and bringing to bear the benefit of previous successful claims.

"There is precedence for this claim," he said. "Following the banning of handguns after the Dunblane tragedy the Government recompensed everyone fully for their loss, including the gun dealers. Many of our members will carry stocks of shoes, nails and other supplies. Those who carry hunter shoes should be recompensed."

"I am appalled at this Government's behaviour," he said. "Passing a bill that is protecting the welfare of a vermin species."

There are 2,300 registered farriers in the UK at present plus 400 apprentices training. The effect of the hunting ban will show up next year when farriers tighten their belts in lean winter months and can ill afford apprentices.

This small, self-sufficient industry has been rolling along very satisfactorily since its inception with little interference. Now forces outside its control seem to be conspiring to threaten the industry. Its modest size means that it is easily overlooked and commands a much smaller voice in the hierarchy. It is our responsibility as horse owners and equestrians to make sure that small voice is heard so that this vital service industry is not denigrated in any way.

Published: 01/04/2005