Farrier school

[caleb]

Does anyone know of any farrier school in Pennsylvania.

[Midnightbobby]

No, but I hear you can take online courses.

[Karen Cole]

You can do an online search for Farrier schools in your area.

Karen

[reiningfan]

I would not reccomend on-line courses instead of going to a good farrier school. You need experienced people helping you, or you could very well crippled the horses you are trying to help.
There is the Pennslyvania Institute for Horseshoeing, www.pafarrierschool.com.
I'd Google and see if there are any others and the quality of instruction they have there.

[CanChaser]

I don't know about Pa but there is a good farrier school in wv its called meredith manor equestrian center

[horseloverinVA]

Not in PA, but I do know of one in VA.

[caleb]

Has anyone heard of Butler Professional Farrier School if so i would like some feedback on it pros and cons. http://www.butlerprofessionalfarrierschool.com

[Amrwmblds2]

Originally Posted by CanChaser

I don't know about Pa but there is a good farrier school in wv its called meredith manor equestrian center

Yikes- I went to that place a few years ago to check it out and I was horrified. I would stay as far away from that place as I can get!

[Sunlei]

Originally Posted by caleb

Does anyone know of any farrier school in Pennsylvania.

Use google.com and search. If I lived in Pa. I would look towards the Amish community if any live close to you. They are pretty good farriers and use their horses on paved roads very hard for many miles. Be someone good to work for after farrier school to gain experience.

I think there is a huge shortage of farriers especially good ones. All of them get booked up so it seems the industry has a big need for more farriers.

Good luck! I edited to add that Butlers place looks like it has good courses. I would take all 3 levels, the basic-300 hours..the 2nd lvl advanced 300 hours and the 3rd graduate level where it's one with a pro for 300 hours. You'd be good to go after that kind of training.

[Freedomnchrist]

Originally Posted by Amrwmblds2

Yikes- I went to that place a few years ago to check it out and I was horrified. I would stay as far away from that place as I can get!

Wow! I was so going to go there like 9 years ago.

I am surprised they were so bad! At the time...i thought it was great.

[Hideaway]

Originally Posted by Sunlei

Use google.com and search. If I lived in Pa. I would look towards the Amish community if any live close to you. They are pretty good farriers and use their horses on paved roads very hard for many miles. Be someone good to work for after farrier school to gain experience.

I think there is a huge shortage of farriers especially good ones. All of them get booked up so it seems the industry has a big need for more farriers.

Good luck! I edited to add that Butlers place looks like it has good courses. I would take all 3 levels, the basic-300 hours..the 2nd lvl advanced 300 hours and the 3rd graduate level where it's one with a pro for 300 hours. You'd be good to go after that kind of training.

You don't want *most* of the amish around here to do anything. Yikes, just about sums it up.

[Sunlei]

Originally Posted by Hideaway

You don't want *most* of the amish around here to do anything. Yikes, just about sums it up.

Well they do think of their animals as food or working animals. And anytime a horse is unable to drive 20 miles a day or ride good...money in the hand, even 20 bucks at those infamous auctions- is better than giving it away free. (to amish) And their puppy-mill production rate and trading fairs are sure crummy and old fashioned.

But they do know how to run a farm, build nice barns and homes. And they do take care of their animals while still usefull to them.

They would not hire a outsider as a assistant farrier anyways, teach their sons. But they do have things to teach and are not worth ignoring. And in many ways they treat their animals a lot better than many people.

[Hideaway]

I will agree with you there. Their way of living is amazing and I do admire that.

I have also seen what they do when the horse isn't useful or when they don't know what they're doing. Animals unnecessarily lame and sent away b/c of the farrier care or lack of. I won't touch puppy mills or New Holland that's too big of a topic and off topic. I'm just saying take the money, find a good school and get the education to do it the right way. The amish don't necessarily know how to keep a horse sound by the correct farrier care. They know that they can keep a horse sound for so long, have somewhere for it to go and can get another. Horses are like shoes to them. Their stuff gets old they send it away.

[northstar_paints]

Originally Posted by CanChaser

I don't know about Pa but there is a good farrier school in wv its called meredith manor equestrian center

i would stay as far from that school as possable i visited it a few years ago and was shocked, and i know a gal who went to that school to be a riding instructor and some of the stuff she was taught is crazy and can realy get alot of people and horses hurt!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sunlei]

It's that pounding on paved roads..my god that is so hard on horses feet. I don't think in my life I've ever trotted any horse on a paved road except for a step or 2. I'm surprised those amish road horses feet/legs last the 6 or 7 years they do.

[Amrwmblds2]

Originally Posted by Freedomnchrist

Wow! I was so going to go there like 9 years ago.

I am surprised they were so bad! At the time...i thought it was great.

It was terrible! I stayed for my tour- and then RAN! I actually felt like they should have been reported!

[Amrwmblds2]

I also couldn't agree more with Hideaway, I am from Lancaster County Pa and grew up going to "see the ponies at the auction" , yep the New Holland Auction. Their horses do NOT stay sound 6 or 7 years. I'd give them a possible 2-3 MAYBE 4 years. They have all sorts of feet problems and are typically crippled and in the New Holland kill pen by the ripe old age of 7.