Training & Qualifications

Worshipful Company of Farriers qualification

All senior farriers are qualified under the diploma awarded by the Worshipful Company of Farriers at the end of a 4 year apprenticeship. Gary Pickford has been an ATF - an approved training farrier - for 35 years and has trained 60 farriers during that time, many of whom remain with the company or work with us as subcontractors and consultants. Others have gone on to have their own successful businesses.

Apprentice training

We have a valuable apprentice scheme offering trainees the chance to go to the Farriers Training Colleges here in the UK, to achieve their goal of becoming professional farriers. Our company prides itself on being one of only a few in this country offering the type of opportunities for a trainee to reach a very high standard of farriery, which can result in an extremely lucrative and rewarding career. Our candidates must have 5 GSCE passes at 4 or above, incl English, Maths and 1 science. A forging certificate or previous expereince with horses is helpful but not essential, as full training will be give. We do ask though for responsible and enthusiatic applicants, willing to work as part of our busy team. 

Other training

Chapel Forge Farriers also works closely with other equine organisations such as Saracen Feeds and their equine nutritionist Polly Bonner, Valley Equine Veterinary Group, O'Gormans Veterinary Practice, Wessex Equine, bloodstock agents such as Charlie Gordon Watson, and veterinary surgeons such as Jessica Kidd.

We also offer senior apprentices and staff the exciting opportunity to travel to the USA to study and work alongside vet and equine podiatrist Dr Scott Morrison at the world-renowned leading equine hospital Rood and Riddle in Kentucky.