I'm looking for some advice from the professionals out there. I have been shoeing my own horses for a few years, and am comfortable with all aspects of shoeing. Granted, I am far from a master farrier, but I can get it done. My question is what can a guy reasonably expect for an apprenticeship? I want to apprentice with someone, but I also can't go broke doing it. I have been helping some guys around town just to get experience, but I am not making any money. There are times when there are ten horses to do, and I pull them all, exfoliate them, prep the shoes, etc, and finish all of them. I understand a guy wanting to trim and nail on his own shoes, so I am obviously not insulted if they do that. However, am I getting taken advantage of? Should an apprentice get paid? I want to make a career of this, but should I just expect to go broke until I make it? Thanks in advance for the help...
Just look at me Pard! No' so called formal training. Worked 3 jobs, didn't take a ck for 3 years from mentors. It's up to you! How bad you want somein'? Me as an example; Sorry folks....
I worked a couple of years without getting paid. I made up for it by doing horses on my own in the evenings and weekends.
You may be thinking you are helping your Mentor, But the truth is you are actually Slowing down the rythem of the Farrier that you are working with..not to mention he/she is taking a risk allowing you to work on their clients feet. AND why is it that the Farrier that allows you to work and learn actually Owes you while you are Learning? In Jayes case , he stated what he had to endure to Learn. No one Owes you a living you have to carve that out of life yourself. There are Alot of Good Farriers that take on helpers and the helpers benefit from watching and listening BUT that doesnt make them a Farrier until you get under a couple 100 horses and Never stop learning.. Lots pay to go to schools and after two weeks think they can handle and do the same work Experienced Farriers do daily.. Hot Tip ..Be Humble and Sponge up any and all info you can for about 10yrs and then You might be able to claim to be a Farrier...Good Luck on your Quest and take this advice for Free...
Hooh Rah Bitch! W/Love and a road that has been a bit bumpy for 20+ years appli'e'ing shoes....they will learn or go to "would you like fries with that?"
I think you should be paid the same that some of the top schools pay their students. Actually, you should be asking how much you should be paying this Farrier to let you help.
Thank you for the feedback. You obviously have some good insight. My only point is that if this guy can do more horses per day because of me, isn't it a little cheap to not kick a guy down something?
Yes, I am in the US. From a financial standpoint, this guy is able to do at least 1/3 more horses per day. My reasoning was that he makes more money with me than without me.
Very valid question. I want to learn more about corrective shoeing. I am reluctant to go out on my own, because this is a very small town environment, and everyone knows me from the horse sports we participate in, but they don't know me as a farrier per se. I don't want people to think that I just woke up one day and decided to be a farrier. To be honest, I really thought with the volume of horses we have been doing, that the money would sort itself out. I have learned a lot though, so I can't complain too much. I think I just need to look around and find someone who will pay. I am a really hard worker. If someone gives me some incentive, and a way to help support my family, they could make SO much more money just by the sheer volume they could handle.
Id agree with George and Garry they both have good points, it depends on what way your working with him. If your always or 90% of the time in a separate stable to him clincling or pulling shoes and shoeing big numbers ya should be getting paid. If he only shoes 4 or 5 a day and your side by side and he is watching and guiding ya then yeah you should consider yourslf lucky to be gettin the experience, your only in his way.
You have it a bit backwards. You have to provide the intensive for someone to pay you. My kid worked in LA for a jumper Farrier and was given raises without asking. I remember working 36 hours one day between shoeing and fixing log trucks. i knew I made it after about four years when i only had one "job". After all the discussion here, it sounds to me like you have a position waiting for you with George starting at $25 hr.
Thats very vague is he doin twelve sets a day where he would normally do eight or six a day where he would normally do four
He may be able to do more because of you but does he? I thought things were slow in America at the moment too. Do you think just cause you started helping this guy that he has a que of people waiting for him to have time to come shoe their horse? Maybe im wrong and he does. He may be home a bit earlier every day and feel a bit fresher but that doesnt mean he is willing to pay someone for that.
the best advice I can give you is find a paying apprenticeship out of town somewhere, if where you currently live is where you want to stay. If you make your beginner mistakes somewhere else then you wont be building a bad rep at home. As you said everybody already knows you so building a business when you have the skills to be a competent farrier shouldn't be a problem. You won't have to overcome any "oh yeah he worked for ol so and so" stuff.
I pay anyone who rides with me. I don't pay a lot, usually ten bucks a horse for each horse they work on. As long as they don't screw up a horse I' m good. I'm just a hack playing farrier. It try to show them how I do things and maybe teach them something if they want to learn. Some guys I just use like rented mules on days I have lots of horses scheduled to shoe. Nobody goes home without some cash in their pocket. I'm no master farrier so I don't tell anyone they are doing an apprenticeship. I give them help in as they ask about and appreciate the help they give me. You just have to find the right person to work for and then things will work out.
