Farriers In Spain
This lens is for those horse owners who wish to find good quality professional farriers in Spain because after all the old saying "No Foot, No Horse" is as true today as it has always been.
Know of Any Good Farriers in Spain?
Please feel free to add him or her to the list below. Spread the word because good farriers are hard to find!
Tony Forsyth
International Farrier
Many of his Spanish clients in the pueblos found the hot shoeing fascinating as they had never seen it before. Although they appreciated the quality of his work, many were adverse to change to the "new" hot shoeing.
However, over time they have come to appreciate the benefits and the level of service Tony and Axarquia Farriers provide to such an extent that now he works with top "ganaderos" (breeders) and he works closely with a number of vets who are are happy to have him in the area.
His colleagues in England find it difficult to believe his stories of the hardness of the hooves he deals with particularly during the summer months. The dry weather brings its own problems to the hooves but there is nothing that Tony cannot cope with now he has adapted to the conditions!
You can e-mail Tony at Axarquia Farriers or you can easily send an SMS (text message) saying "CALL ME" (0034) 619 171 592
Ed Kirwan BSc Hons
International Master Farrier
The horses, ponies, donkeys and mules have ranged from the humble to the heroic. They have included Olympic showjumpers, Derby contenders, a Grand National winner, championship driving horses, hunters and riding school hacks...the list is endless.
He is a retired member of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. He has also held various shoeing licences in Canada and was a member of both the American and Canadian Farriers Associations.
Ed is an all round horseman. who has owned, ridden, driven and trained horses in various disciplines. These days he concentrates on remedial trimming and shoeing and training young farriers.
You can e-mail Ed at Axarquia Farriers or you can easily send an SMS (text message) saying "CALL ME" (0034) 654 025 358 or Skype: fincafantastica
Tony at Work in Nerja
Axarquia Farriers
Our Quiet Philosophy
Shoeing horses is a three way street between the horse, the owner and the farrier. When all three are working in harmony there is rarely cause for concern. In the course of our business we shoe horses that are rarely handled and in many cases have been badly treated. It is not usually a problem for us and certainly by the second and third visit the horses know us and far easier to handle.
Tony Forsyth and Ed Kirwan together with our apprentice Jamie are the Axarquia Farriers.
We cover the Axarquia, Malaga, Seville and Granada. If you have any problems, if only for an opinion or a little advice, you can e-mail us.
Andrés Cánovas
Andrés, from Cádiz, has been a farrier for 36 years and spends just about every waking hour with his beloved Andalusian Horses.He has owned, trained and ridden for hundreds of hours. He lives and breathes his work and his lifelong interest - horses.
He has studied conformation, movement and morphology, learned from others - and in turn, has taught what he has learned.
Like all good farriers Andrés works closely with a number of vets specialising in hoof and lameness cases and focuses on being up to date with new technology and discoveries.
If you are looking for a good farrier in the Cádiz region, contact Andrés who also has a very good information packed website.
You Never Know When You Need A Farrier
As the old poem goes...
For the want of a nail a shoe was lost.For the want of a shoe a horse was lost.
For the want of a horse a battle was lost.
For the want of a battle a war was lost.
For the want of a battle a nation was lost.
And all for the want of a nail.
Are Farriers Totally Loco?
Have you lost your marbles?
I quote from my Master Farrier, the late and much missed Bill Hayter. "There are three basic things you need to learn to deal with. The ironwork, the horses and the clients. The last part is the most difficult..."And if you are a horse owner you will understand us just as much as we understand you!
OK, only joking but is it any wonder we are a little crazy? We spend our waking hours with our backs bent and our heads down. We love what we do and we do it to the best of our ability but you guys are crazy too!
We successfully cope with all manner of horses in varying conditions. Ideally we require a dry, level surface to work on (with shade in the summer months)and a knowledgeable handler in attendance. Is this too much to ask? I think not if you want a good job done.
The old story has it that an apprentice was given 5 marbles to put in his mouth on his first day at work. "Now go and remove those shoes as I showed you" said his Master.
Slightly confused, the apprentice complied and returned to his boss with the four shoes correctly removed but minus one marble. "Ok, you can take the others out of your mouth now."
"But why did I need them in the first place?" asked the apprentice.
"When you lose all of them, you will be a farrier" came the reply.
Talk to Your Farrier in Farrier Terms
The New Dictionary of Farrier Terms and Technical Language
Amazon Price: $18.12 (as of 02/08/2010)![]()
List Price: $18.12
The 9th print edition of the authoritative lexicon of farriery, illustrated, with selected etymologies and pronunciation guides. The Millwater Dictionary of Farrier Terms and Technical Language has been a handy reference for horseshoers and horse owners since 1994.
Usually ships in 24 hours
Farrier Humour
What's the difference between a farrier and a vet? A farrier knows that he's not a vet!
Do you know how to make a small fortune with horses?
Start out with a large fortune.
Did you know that horses asses outnumber horses 2 to 1?
Which Words Do You Know About Horse Shoeing...
...In Spanish
As you are looking for a farrier in Spain the chances are you will be employing a Spaniard. So it pays to know what you are talking about. This little brain teaser will test your knowledge...
Interesting Farrier Related Sites
Worcester farrier, Kelvin Lymer goes shoeing at the Olympics in China. Video courtsey of BBC News.The Horseshoe Museum aims to be the most comprehensive collection of horseshoes in the world. From the old tradition of Handmade Horseshoes to fit any horse, to Manufactured Horseshoes from around the world. The "Horseshoe Museum" promises to be the place to come to discover, reference, and learn about the horseshoe, including how to build each of the examples on display. A brief listing of horseshoes displayed at the "Horseshoe Museum" are as below.
O.A.Curtis and Sons of Newmarket, England is a famous and well established business. It is interesting to note that Simon Curtis employs two Spanish farriers, Sergio Muelle Goldstein AWCF and Alejandro Sepulveda Maroto.
Find a Farrier - Worldwide
The American Farriers Association can help you find a farrier in the US, Canada and worldwide.In the UK THE FARRIERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL have a complete list of registered farriers
Farriers in Spain Directory
Farriers in Spain Can Submit Details Here
Gabino Fernando in Madrid. 0034 628 060 364 or 620 420 940. This is a Spanish site only.Roger Soler-Pont
Ferrador qualificat . Registered Farrier
Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers
653 856013 E-mail:rsp.ferrador@terra.es
Av. Verge De Montserrat,
147 - atic 1*-08041
Barcelona
Find your way around this lens
- Know of Any Good Farriers in Spain?
- Tony Forsyth
- Ed Kirwan BSc Hons
- Tony at Work in Nerja
- Axarquia Farriers
- Andrés Cánovas
- You Never Know When You Need A Farrier
- Are Farriers Totally Loco?
- Talk to Your Farrier in Farrier Terms
- Farrier Humour
- Which Words Do You Know About Horse Shoeing...
- Interesting Farrier Related Sites
- Find a Farrier - Worldwide
- Farriers in Spain Directory
- Recommended Hoof Care Books
- Basic Farrier Tools Every Horse Owner Needs
- New Farrier Tools
- The Farrier's Forge
- Farrier's Bits!
- More Farrier Links
- Considering a Career As A Farrier?
- Anvils
- Worldwide Horse News
- Your feedback is welcome so have your say, add a story and
Recommended Hoof Care Books
No Foot, No Horse: Foot Balance: The Key to Soundness and Performance
Recent studies show that up to 95% of all horses have some form of foot imbalance which will predispose them to injury. A scary thought for all those involved in horse management from farriers and vets to owners and trainers. But this book from England can help. In everyday language it describes how good basic farriery, and particularly through paying attention to foot balance, can be used to maintain and even to enhance performance and soundness in the horse. The authors also discuss the connection between poor feet and bad backs, and show how skilled farriery can give horses with less-than-perfect conformation their very best chance to stay sound. An important book, essential for farriery practitioners, vets and vet students, equine career students, remedial therapists and-- especially---horse owners.
Hoof Problems: Hoof Construction, Trimming and Shoeing, Solutions for Common Issues and Ailments
Providing the first accessible look into farrier studies-the shoeing of horses-this guide offers research and diagrams that will help horse owners and trainers better understand more than 50 common hoof problems. Featuring copious illustrations, it describes how to recognize good and faulty shoeing, explains the mechanics of the foot in motion, discusses foot balance, illustrates the anatomy of the foot and limb alignment, and explains how many common ailments and conditions affect hoof care and shoeing. Each problem is clearly illustrated and accompanied by a straightforward description of the problem, its cause, and treatment.
Lameness: Recognizing and Treating the Horse's Most Common Ailment
Lameness, one of the most common and most troublesome of all equine ailments, remains the primary reason why horses are unable to fulfill their potential and their riders' and trainers' expectations. More preparation time is lost, more competitions are missed, and more careers are prematurely ended because of lameness than any other condition.
This book analyzes the causes, diagnoses, and management of the myriad causes of lameness:
--Defining and identifying the lame leg; spotting gait abnormalities and non-muscular causes; physical examinations and evaluations; diagnostic tools and other tests; the role of the veterinarian and farrier in pre-purchase examinations.
--Physical therapies; the applicability of rest, medications, and other veterinary procedures.
--Hoof conformation and shoeing options.
--Joint, bone, muscle, and tendon and ligament problems.
--Neurological, dermatological, and developmental orthopedic causes of lameness.
--Treatment of specific conditions to the foot, pastern and fetlock, cannon and splint bones, knee, upper foreleg, hock, upper hind leg, and back.
No other book covers this vital subject in such a comprehensive and understandable fashion. For that reason, no other book deserves a more prominent place on the shelf of anyone who owns, trains, rides, or drives horses.
Horse Owners Guide to Natural Hoof Care
There is so much controversy over natural hoof care that this book needs to be on the list of recommended reading.
The Horse Conformation Handbook
Conformation concerns body structure and anatomy. In this comprehensive volume, Heather Smith Thomas explains how conformation relates to function and what to look for when evaluating a horse. She teaches the reader to see beyond a horse's physical beauty to identify desirable attributes and potential faults, and with copious illustrations and explanations, trains the eye to recognize the hallmarks of soundness, durability, trainability, and athletic potential.
Thomas begins with an in-depth discussion of equine anatomy and the importance of balance and proportion. She also explains how to detect "heart," that indefinable quality that distinguishes a horse from his peers and compels him to excel. The book concludes with real-world applications of the principles of good conformation, including helping a horse succeed by matching him with the right job and what the conformation of the aging horse can tell you.
Horses with good conformation move fluidly, experience less wear and tear on joints, and are more apt to stay fit and sound during a long life of service. Whether you're buying your first horse, choosing breeding stock, or simply want to learn more about your equine companion, The Horse Conformation Handbook will help you understand horses better than ever before.
Basic Farrier Tools Every Horse Owner Needs
Get the right tools and make your horse safe and your life easier. You will need a clinch cutter (or buffer) a pair of pullers and a light hammer. A rasp is useful too to take off any rough edges. Keep them in one place so you know just where to put your hand on them when you need them and only use them for removing a shoe and tidying up any broken hoof wall.
Diamond HR14N 14-Inch Horse Rasp and File
Be sure to buy a handle if you buy a rasp to prevent injuries.
Diamond FH14 14-Ounce Farrier Driving Hammer
Diamond 14 oz Farrier Driving Hammer that is the most useful weight for a wide variety of farrier applications.
Drop forged from high quality steel. Special hardwood handles to insure against breakage or loosening. Designed by professional farriers.
Combination Shoe Puller / Spreader 12" - 12" SHOE PULLER/SPREADER
Use these to pull the shoe from the hoof staring at the heel and levering the long handles down and forward towards the toe. Work alternately from one side to the other. Ask your farrier to show you how to do it properly.
Cooper Tools C7 Clinch Cutter
Clinch cutter measures 6 by 2-3/4 inches, is made of forged high quality steel, and beveled on the outside only, while flush on the inside edge to allow for close cutting. This all purpose tool is designed for cutting with one end and the other for pritchel.
New Farrier Tools
Doug Butler's book is excellent and is considered by many as "the bible" of horseshoeing. My copy is looking a little worn around the edges now!
Diamond FN15 15-Inch Farrier Nipper
Amazon Price: $72.48 (as of 02/08/2010) ![]()
List Price: $104.37
Usually ships in 24 hours
Combination Shoe Puller / Spreader 12" - 12" SHOE PULLER/SPREADER
Amazon Price: $56.18 (as of 02/08/2010) ![]()
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Diamond FH14 14-Ounce Farrier Driving Hammer
Amazon Price: $35.39 (as of 02/08/2010) ![]()
List Price: $42.14
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Farrier's Forge
There is Nothing So Good As Hot Shoeing

Farrier Forgemaster
This portable gas forge is great for farriers on the move. The front opening is capable of fitting all sizes of shoes.
Features:
Extra long 9' fuel hose
Regulator and gauge assembled
Spark ignitor assembly
Dimensions: 11 x 17 x 13 inches
Shipping Weight: 76 pounds
Farrier's Bits!
For when you can't find what you want...
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byMore Farrier Links
- Ask The Farrier
- This lens is from an experienced colleague out in the States. I like his take on Barefoot Horses... BUA, Strasser Cult, New Age Snake Oil, etc..
Give us your opinion on barefoot trimming.
Worldwide Horse News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byYour feedback is welcome so have your say, add a story and
let your farrier in Spain know he or she can be featured here.
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Reply
- leigh harris leigh harris Sep 12, 2009 @ 6:30 am
- hi not sure if you can help i live in southern spain and would like to train to become a farrier. where can i train, etc i can speak spanish and am a full trained riding instructor (A I) SO AM EXPERIENCED WITH HORSES. if any one can help please email me leigh.099@gmail.com
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Reply
- kingo12 kingo12 Mar 4, 2009 @ 12:08 pm | in reply to JesseEvans
- Hi Jess just to let you and your friends know we hae been distributing baileys horse feeds for the last six months or so in Andalusia and have recently reached Ronda also our product and prices are great and we also offer free deliery to your area our prices are at least %u20AC3 a bag cheaper than spillers and dodson and horrell please visit the website at www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk or send me an email to mark@baileyshorsefeeds.es my mobile number is 661943947 and i would be happy to visit you with samples and brochures
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Reply
- JesseEvans JesseEvans Feb 19, 2009 @ 3:10 am
- Greetings,
I just met you on Twitter,am working through all the info here,and really enjoying myself. I have bookmarked your articles ,as my family have owned and ridden horses in various countries,now looking at a new biz in Asia,so please update any links in Singapore or Indonesia for me !
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Reply
- tajo tajo Nov 11, 2008 @ 11:05 am
- Hi, I live in Ronda, and I have a few friends who own horses so I'll be sure to pass your details onto them.
I've also started a group on Squidoo about Andalucia, and you're invited to join!
Just visit http://www.squidoo.com/groups/andalucia then click the join link.
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Reply
- Douglas Douglas Aug 12, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
- Hi,
my name is Doug Thompson, I`m a farrier and live in southern Spain since 2 years.Would like to get in touch with you.My email is albendil@gmail.com.
Regards,
Doug
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