Farrier

Horses were important in the lives of our ancestors both for transport and leisure pursuits. They were, of course, particularly fundamental to life in the Army – not only in the Cavalry but also in other regiments where they could be used for activities such as moving ammunition or stores, carrying despatches etc etc.

Farriers were originally a type of “horse doctor” but their role changed in the early nineteenth century after the training of veterinary surgeons commenced. The qualified veterinary surgeons were then attached to the various regiments. Consequently, by the late nineteenth century the role of the farrier was reduced and often referred to as “shoeing smith”. However, the farrier did more than simply reshoe the horses – a vital job in itself. “Every morning the farriers would walk through the lines, if on campaign, or through the stables, if at the home base, checking the horses’ hooves but also their general well being. Often it was the farrier who made the decision to put down an injured or stricken horse” ¹

Notes

¹ Denis Judd, author and historian. (Q&A section -"BBC Who Do You Think You Are Magazine” August 2009.)

External links

A short history of the term “Farrier” website of the Farrier & Hoofcare Resource Centre