Local farriery practice Merlyn Farriery, Boreland, Lockerbie is pleased to have taken on Michael, the first apprentice farrier to be trained in Dumfries and Galloway for many years which couldn’t be done without the unending support of his father, Mike Roberts, a highly established and popular local farrier and blacksmith.
There are only 9 Approved Training Farriers (ATF’s) in Scotland, not all of which are actively training apprentices, Norman being the only one currently in Dumfries and Galloway. Norman is working towards a farriery specific PhD himself and we are hoping to try to help address the problem of depleting numbers of farriers in Scotland and especially the local area. Apprentices ensure the availability of qualified practitioners with a view to preventing the possible increase of illegal, unregulated farriery, reduction in standards and subsequently, horse welfare.
An apprentice is a significant commitment, one which Norman and Mike are wholeheartedly invested. The forges are running steadily and the anvils ringing. Over the next four years we will pass on horse evaluation, trimming and shoeing skills, provoke thoughts on biomechanics and a whole horse approach, supporting Michael, who is showing great potential coming from good pedigree.
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