By Mark Coleman, Pre-Farriery student at Enniskillen Campus

Prior to arriving in Enniskillen Campus last September, I had a lifelong interest in horses and had experience in showjumping, driving and the breaking of youngsters. I had also competed in a few local shows. My overriding ambition, since the age of 12 years, has been to become a farrier. The principal reasons for this are that I like the outdoor life, the opportunity to meet people with similar interests and I think that I will be joining a well rewarded profession.

The Pre-Farriery course at Enniskillen consists of three elements: a First Diploma in Horse Care, some forgework, which is giving me the opportunity to take the Forging Certificate examination and also Essential Skills.

As part of my training, I had the opportunity to go to Newmarket in Suffolk, which is the home of horse racing. Along with my colleague Stephen Richardson, who like me is from Co Armagh, I was attached to the O’Shaughnessy Brothers. They own one of the leading racing and breeding farrier practices. Both of us had a really interesting and enjoyable time and we saw a lot of remedial farrier work, which involved close cooperation between veterinary surgeons and the farrier. We also saw quite a few horses which had problems with foot balance.

Following our spell on work experience, Stephen and I are back in Enniskillen and working hard to get our coursework finished and make our final preparations for the Forging Certificate examination. Next year we hope to get places as farrier apprentices. With the current economic downturn, we are finding that it is going to take a fair bit of groundwork with regard to applications. With luck, we will source a good Approved Training Farrier, probably across the water, who will help us to further our careers.

Sparks Fly in the Forge! Mark Coleman from Clare in Co Armagh

Stephen Richardson from Moyallen, near Portadown, in the Enniskillen forge