TRADITIONS

At Heartland Horseshoeing School we cover many of the newest methods of modern farriery, while maintaining our roots. With this in mind, there are coke-fired forges in the shop so that you can learn to use this ancient, yet incredibly useable, method of blacksmithing. It costs more to use coke than propane, but the skills needed to use coal and coke are worth the price. If you endeavor to compete at the international level someday, having experience in a coke fire will be invaluable. We use the same coke that is used at The World Championship Blacksmiths Competition in Calgary.

Most of the actual shoeing will be done out of propane forges since they are more common in the field, and you can gain the experience of using both. Most graduates will buy a propane forge for their rigs when they begin their businesses. However, once they have a shop built, a coke forge is one of the first things they get. There is no comparison to the heat you can achieve in coke fire.

PHILOSOPHY

In the United Kingdom, an individual is required to serve an apprenticeship for over 4 years before they are eligible to take the exam that allows them to practice as a farrier. During that apprenticeship, they will spend 27 weeks at a college to study the theoretical aspects and forge work. Positions as an apprentice farrier are coveted and hard to come by. While a 50 month course is not practical in the United States for most students, it would be great. The courses at HHS are extremely intense, and we try to teach as much as is humanly possible in the short time that you are with us.
If you want to be the best, it will require a lot of hard work and drive. We will do our part if you are willing to commit the effort necessary to master the farriers’ craft. The training at HHS is tailored to the needs of an individual in developing a high degree of competence and confidence in their ability to shoe any horse. These teaching methods allow students to enter the farrier industry with pride, confidence, a great deal of technical expertise and knowledge. We set a high standard in all aspects of farriery so that our graduates can take that with them into the industry and succeed.

For more information please contact us.

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