Farriery trainees and early-career practitioners from across Northern Ireland attended a professional development event at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Enniskillen Campus.

The Thinking Farrier – Early Career Development Day was held in partnership with the Northern Ireland Farrier Association (NIFA) and targeted farriers in training and those within their first five years of practice.

Internationally respected farriers Chris Gregory FWCF and Cody Gregory FWCF (Hons.) led sessions. Cody Gregory had recently received the FWCF with Honours at the Worshipful Company of Farriers Awards Ceremony in London.

The day opened with a classroom session in which Cody Gregory discussed equine anatomy and its influence on farriery decisions. He focused on limb biomechanics, including the stay apparatus and reciprocal apparatus, and how understanding muscle groups can improve trimming and shoeing outcomes.

A forge demonstration followed, emphasising consistent technique, hammer control, and anvil efficiency rather than only the finished shoe. In the afternoon, Cody Gregory conducted a live shoeing assessment, explaining each stage and using video footage to compare the horse’s movement before and after.

The event concluded with a panel on professional development. Joining Chris and Cody Gregory were CAFRE farriery lecturers Paul Duddy AWCF and Caolan Kelly DipWCF, and NIFA Chair Lee Johnston DipWCF. Discussion topics included early-career challenges, mentorship, and continuing education.

CAFRE has also reintroduced the City & Guilds Level 2 Forgework Certificate through full-time and part-time routes and runs a Farriery Upskilling Programme for those already in practice. A separate NIFA clinic at Crossan’s Forge provided additional learning opportunities for the wider farriery community.