Training offers a multitude of benefits to Steve Hewitt, his business and apprentices; an apprenticeship being the only way to become a farrier. Training the next generation is rewarding in itself and apprentices learn to work with professional owners and horse lovers. And if Steve’s oldest apprentice continues working for him after qualifying next year, the Yorkshire farrier will have more flexibility in the way he works – and he can take a holiday!
“I grew up in Devon and always rode horses. I wanted to ride professionally, eventing and jumping, but the chap I rode for suggested farriery. I did my four years then started up on my own and became an Approved Training Farrier (ATF) 12 years ago.
"Training had been something at the back of my mind; that it might be nice to pass on what I knew. The prod came when I was approached by a lad’s parents to take him on after school. We’re still in touch and take part in shoeing competitions together.
"Since then 16 apprentices have qualified with me – 99% going off to work for themselves. Farriery is a job you have got to want to do because it’s a demanding job. You have to have a feel for the work to do it properly. An apprentice can pass doing everything in work hours but if you want distinctions, you need to put in extra time – and most farriers are competitive.
"An apprenticeship is four years and two months, starting with eight weeks when either side can walk away without any obligation. It’s a tripartheid arrangement between the apprentice, their ATF and the Farriery Training Agency. They do an NVQ2 in farriery, their diploma from the Worshipful Company of Farriers and time served, the four years two months. Intakes are January and July and I usually get 50 or 60 letters or more each time, though that has lessened since they added the Forging Certificate to the training requirements.
"There’s a lot of theory as well as practice, which some apprentices find more difficult. When I was at school, much to my father’s disappointment because he was the headmaster, I wasn’t interested in school work, though I was gifted practically. I liked being outdoors, sports, and building things. But when I got into farriery the theory interested me so much, I found it easy to learn.
"Training apprentices is rewarding – and frustrating sometimes! Especially when you know someone could do so much better with a bit of effort. Nowadays there are lots more female farriers and older apprentices – I have one now who at 46 is older than me. I’m hoping when he qualifies he is going to stay on and work with me in Thick Penny Forge. He came to it late from a farming family who diversified into livery. I have two others in their 30s. It’s a shame that those who don’t come straight after school have to fund their own training, despite having paid taxes.
"The young lads pick up practical skills well. Older apprentices have a lot to offer because of their maturity and understanding of the business side of things. Today around 50% of applicants are female, which has only happened in the last few years.
"The good thing is that in this profession, once you’re qualified, the world is literally your oyster because this is the only country where you can qualify then shoe anywhere. Three of my lads worked in Australia and the US before starting on their own back here.
"Sixteen of my apprentices have qualified and I have more starting in 2008. Training other people keeps my skills up, especially the theory side and terminology which changes quickly. Shoeing isn’t an exact science so this helps you keep up-to-date – you try something different; look at new ideas and methods.
"Training apprentices has also got me back into shoeing competitions and running continuing professional development courses through the Yorkshire Farriers Education and Demonstration Association for qualified farriers. I’m also on the Farriers Registration Council and I’ve won awards, including one for shoeing racehorses, which means I’m quite well known in the business.
"The professional development courses are good, not just for training but for generating co-operation between farriers. Here in Yorkshire that’s developing – for example, rivals, and their apprentices, helping each other out if someone is sick or on holiday. CPD will help because training courses bring together qualified farriers and get them talking, discussing ideas, when normally they work separately.”
