Farriery is an ancient and highly skilled craft, which can trace its origins back to the times of the Roman Empire, and one which is increasingly in demand today as the interest in horses and equestrianism grows.
It goes far beyond the making and fitting of shoes, requiring the skill to handle horses, understand the physical demands on them and identify health and fitness problems. Oatridge provides courses for :-
- students seeking the qualification to enter farriery ("Entry to Farriery Certificate")
- students already working towards their Advanced Apprenticeship ("Farriery Apprenticeship"). All applications for the Advanced Apprenticeship must be made directly to the Farriery Training Agency (not to the College). The four-year Advanced Apprenticeship training programme is at NVQ Level 3 and has been approved by the Farrier Registration Council.
We also offer short specialist courses. The one-year full-time pre-farriery course also provides the skills necessary to begin a career as a blacksmith.
The College Farriery Centre is a state-of-the-art facility opened in 2007 under an ambitious campus redevelopment programme. Oatridge is already Scotland's premier centre for equine education and with stabling for 45 horses, farriery students are offered experience in shoeing all types and styles. There is no shortage of animals for live horse assessments, an important aspect of theory training.
The Farriery Centre is also used for advanced training, demonstrations and national shoeing competitions.
There are two full-time farriery lecturers at Oatridge, who see their role as supporting the Approved Training Farriers who run their own businesses, while passing on knowledge and skills to a new generation.
Progressing further
Students can progress from the full-time pre-farriery course to the four year apprenticeship programme after gaining employment with an approved training farrier. The employer must propose their employee as a candidate for an apprenticeship by applying directly to the FTA.
Career opportunities :
- Farrier
- Blacksmith
- Welder
- Fabricator