What is a farrier? This Saskatchewan teen hopes to take up the rare profession

It’s a profession that isn’t offered at just any trade school. Jacob Carr has the story of teen who is pursuing a career as a farrier.

A Saskatchewan teen’s choice of profession would certainly feel at home in the Old West, but in today’s world, farriering is a skilled trade that’s still in demand for those who own horses.

Farriers are skilled tradespeople who specialize in the hoof care of horses. The job combines the skills of a blacksmith and a veterinarian as farriers trim and balance horse hooves, in addition to fabricating and fitting horseshoes.

A century ago, farriers could be found in almost every settlement across the prairies. Nowadays, this particular trade is rare, making each person who chooses the path important.

For Aidan Magnusson of Qu’Appelle, Sask., his love of taking care of horses started at a young age.

The farrier-in-training told CTV News he’s been working with horses for the better part of a decade — and he’s only 18.

“My mom’s best friend had this little pony, and she had cancer. So, she ended up giving me this pony, and then it kind of started from there,” Magnusson explained. “Then I got another pony, sold it, and then got Ernie here, when I was about 12.”

After finishing high school a semester early at 17, Magnusson headed to a farrier school in the United States — the Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in California.

Magnusson says despite the high-level training, he still has a lot to work on.

“I’m in an apprenticeship right now with a guy down the road and yeah, he would just kind of tease me because I could not get my nail lines straight, and I’m still working on that,” Magnusson chuckled.

“I just had tons of nails beside me, and it looked like I was in a firefight.”

According to a member of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, the nice thing about pursuing a career in the farrier industry is the bevy of options to choose from.

“I would just say about the industry is to get into it if you if you want to do it. There’s a shortage of farriers and we’re always happy to have more,” Magnusson added. “We’re here to help the horses. It’s their world, we’re trying to make it a little bit better.”

The next step in Magnusson’s farrier journey will be heading to Chilliwack, B.C., in the coming weeks for the largest farrier conference in Canada.