The Farrier Project

Journey through farriery's evolution with Mac Head, Fellow and past master of the Worshipful Company of Farriers.In this extensive conversation, Mac shares his remarkable career spanning from a 1963 apprenticeship with his blacksmith father through to founding MNC Horseshoes. He offers candid insights on how farriery transformed from a "joke" and "dead trade" in the 1960s to today's profession, explores the challenges of pricing and volume work, and discusses the critical lack of competent horsemanship in modern equestrian culture.The discussion covers manufacturing horseshoes and nails, the transition from handmade to factory shoes, the importance of pitch and fit, training apprentices versus postgraduates, and working relationships between farriers and veterinarians. Mac also shares fascinating historical perspectives on shoe styles from Fitzwygram to Chapman's heart bar, the barefoot movement and "Dr. Green," and why every farrier should always jog horses up after shoeing.A must-listen for farriers at any career stage seeking wisdom from someone who's witnessed and shaped the industry's transformation over six decades.

Jay Tovey and co-host Mark Trussler interview New Zealand–born farrier Andrew “Kiwi” Nickalls. He is now based in Dorset, and the guys ask about his background, WCF diploma, shoemaking competitions, and his long involvement with Team New Zealand (including five World Games and four Olympic Games, stepping down in 2019). Nickalls discusses why he values the Worshipful Company of Farriers diploma and apprenticeship training, emphasizing shoemaking as essential. The main topic is shoeing event horses: managing long-term soundness, avoiding radical changes, prioritizing hoof capsule preservation, and using simple concave shoes where possible, with shoes removed after major season goals for recovery. He explains competition planning, stud placement (generally two per shoe and sometimes a third behind), and adapting balance without excessive sole removal or heavy extensions. He closes with a tip to focus on nailing to the white line and shoemaking fundamentals.