I had the farrier out to do my boy’s feet today and got to discussing with him how busy his day was looking – he’d been elsewhere in the morning, travelled to Wangaratta to do my horse and then was headed on to Rutherglen for the rest of the day.

As someone who’s been so familiar with just stepping out the door and finding myself at work, the idea of travelling here, there and all over the place is a relatively new one.

He was saying that in the North East at the moment there’s a shortage in apprentice farriers coming through which could cause an issue in the near future as the majority of farriers catering to the North East are in their 60’s and entertaining ideas of retirement.

I know of a few mates in their twenties or so that are working their way up in the farriery world and cater to the likes of Euroa which is only 90 kilometres down the road. Apparently though, that seems to be as far as they go, maybe to Benalla but out on to Wangaratta and further towards the south of New South Wales it’s getting harder to find a farrier to carry out horse work.

So the solution? I queried if there were older farriers, experienced in the trade who would consider taking on apprentices. Surprisingly, my farrier seemed to think that the answer is no.

The older generation are considering retiring and not really focused on training someone up to continue on with the business. My farrier is entertaining the idea of his son taking over but has said otherwise he’ll be selling on the business/clients when he is ready to retire.

For those of you considering this line of work as a possible career, consider the idea of getting your training wherever you can and seeking out such a farrier as the likes who covers the North East and getting some work with them. You never know, you may suddenly find yourself with a rather large clientele.

“All I need to know in life I learned from my horse… When you want your way, stomp hard on the nearest foot.”

Tag: farriery, job, apprenticeship

I was watching the races at lunchtime the other day at work and jockey Pat Day was being interviewed. Now excuse my ignorance (especially as someone who works on a place that breeds racehorses!) but I had no idea who Pat Day was.

As a horse obsessed Christian, I only really started paying attention when it was mentioned that he was visiting and advocating chaplaincy work at racetracks and specifically for jockeys.

My ears pricked at the idea of another horse related job/ministry – what a great idea!

http://www.racetrackchaplaincy.org/ – US
The US based chaplaincy provides information regarding ministry planting, eager to help similar programs become established.

“RTCA views fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission as a mandate to take Christ and His love in action to every horse racetrack/training and breeding center throughout the world’s Backstretch Global Village. But we cannot do it alone. If you are interested in establishing a ministry at a horse track or training/breeding center in your area please call us at (310) 419-1640 or drop us an e-mail at rtca@sbcglobal.net. We would be honored to assist.”

Perhaps if your interest lies in this area of horses and ministry, it may be worth contacting them.

http://www.scorechaplaincy.org.uk/CMSPro/20/index.php – UK link.
http://arcc.wattsaname.com/index.php – Australian link.

“Feeling down?  Saddle up!”

Tag: equine ministry, horse goals