Farriery Upskilling Programme
Equine > Farriery Upskilling Programme
Course Duration
2 days/month over 2 years
2 days/month over 2 years2 days/month over 2 years
Course Location
Enniskillen Campus
Farriery Upskilling Programme
The Farriery Upskilling Programme at Enniskillen Campus has been designed for working farriers to allow them to increase their knowledge and skills. The course is designed to produce professional farriers who are competent in all aspects of hoof care including the selection, fit and application of horseshoes. The course is delivered part-time over two years, commencing in January 2026 (subject to numbers). Students will attend Enniskillen Campus over two or three days each month apart from July. During each study block students will have the opportunity to develop their skills in the on-site forge and to take part in theory sessions to further develop their knowledge. At the end of the course students can choose to take the International Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers exam which will give them a recognised qualification in farriery.
Course content
Main areas of study are:
- Equine anatomy and physiology
- Equine conformation
- Equine dynamics and movement
- Equine behaviour and welfare
- Forging skills
- Injuries and ailments affecting the foot/limb
- Production and fit of horse shoes
- Business and IT skills
Progression opportunities and career destinations
Farriers that complete the course may apply to sit the International DipWCF exam. Many farriers that complete the course progress with successful careers as self-employed farriers.
Course Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to have gained experience working as a farrier prior to commencing the course. Those applying for the course should be confident in handling a wide range of horses.
This course is only available to long term residents of Ireland or Northern Ireland and to those who are either:
- A working farrier who can demonstrate that they have been gainfully employed as a farrier in Ireland or Northern Ireland for the previous two years (prior to January 2026), or
- A farrier from another member state of the EEA who holds a recognised qualification in farriery obtained outside GB
Applicants must have written confirmation, from at least two independent sources to substantiate their continuous, regular and gainful experience in farriery.
Following the acceptance of suitable references applicants will be required to undertake a practical assessment and interview as part of the application and selection process. A minimum standard will be applied for acceptance on to the farriery upskilling programme.
If the course is oversubscribed places available will be offered to those on a rank order basis based on performance scores in the practical assessment and interview where weightings are 60:40 respectively with a minimum score of 60% having been achieved in both components.
Fees
Successful applicants will be required to pay an annual tuition fee prior to the commencement of each year of study. The fees for the course are currently £1,200 for the first year and £840 for the second year. Those who progress on to take the exam will have to pay an examination fee direct to the WCF details of which is available here.
Booking Terms and Conditions
CAFRE Booking terms and conditions are available by clicking here.
Enniskillen Campus
Enniskillen Campus provides the widest range of equine courses in Ireland. The college aims to develop a competitive equine industry and produce graduates with the capability to succeed in a wide range of careers.
John Maguire
“Taking this programme you are required to not only improve your farriery skills but develop forging skills as well as, whilst covering extensive theory on shoeing, anatomy, ailments and remedial work. I had to work hard and put a lot of effort in but it has paid off as I am now a qualified farrier (DipWCF).”
