A farrier, officially called a farrier in Germany, is a specialist in the care (cutting out) and shoeing of animal hooves with horseshoes or other materials. He also traditionally makes the horseshoes and horseshoe nails himself in the forging process or adapts the horseshoes to the shape of the hoof. The work also includes the treatment of injured and diseased hooves.
Anyone wishing to learn the profession of farrier needs to have completed vocational training. The training is structured as follows:
- Introductory course: four weeks
- Practical work in farriery: at least 24 months
- Preparatory course: four months
- Farriery examination: after the preparatory course
Preparatory course
The preparatory course consists of a practical and a theoretical part. The recognized state farriery school Schwaiganger holds a preparatory course twice a year (for dates, see "Further links").
An application for participation in a preparatory course at the state farriery school Schwaiganger can be made during the period of practical work (the majority of the practical work should already have been completed.) The application for participation in the course must be made in writing (informally). For the duration of the course, a confirmation of membership with a health insurance company must be submitted.
Contents of the shoeing examination
- Execution of a warm shoeing with iron
- Execution of a shoeing with alternative hoof protection
- Execution of a bare hoof care
- Production of a hoof or claw iron
- Preparation of a case report followed by a technical discussion
- written examination paper with possible oral supplementary examination
The examination tasks should be carried out according to the principle of complete action. The acquisition of appropriate knowledge and skills must take place during practical work. The visit of the shoeing school serves to deepen and consolidate the knowledge and skills. For the case report, at least two interesting cases should be documented in writing and pictorially during the practical activity.