What's it like being an ... Army farrier?

Gunner Abbie Robinson of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery tells us about getting hands-on with hooves.

CAREERS

What do Army farriers do?

Farriers are responsible for the care of horses’ hooves, keeping them healthy, protected and able to comfortably support the horse’s movement. We familiarise new and untrained Army horses with being handled and shod, provide regular care and maintenance of hooves, make and apply horseshoes, and get involved in more intensive tasks like helping improve a horse’s movement through the development and application of specialist shoes.

What makes a good Army farrier?

You have to be fit – we work in a hot forge that shoes 30 to 70 horses a week – and physically able to craft the shoes. It also helps if you’re calm and confident around horses. You need to understand horse anatomy, conformation, gait and behaviour. Every horse is unique, so it’s important to get to know their individual personalities, hooves and shoeing requirements. I’m a first-year apprentice and have to study alongside my job and the unit’s ceremonial duties, so it’s pretty busy and intense – you need to be up for that.

'It's not a nine-to-five job but I love it'

What’s a typical day like?

As a farrier in The King’s Troop, no two days are the same. Our schedule revolves around the horses’ commitments. We like to keep their training interesting so, alongside rehearsals and ceremonial duties, many of the horses participate in showjumping and crosscountry events. There’s always a lot going on in their lives, even at weekends. That means there’s a lot for us to do too. It’s not a nine-to-five job but I love it.

'Meeting Queen Elizabeth II was hard to top. Her knowledge of horses was extremely impressive'

. What’s the typical career path?

Once you’ve completed Phase 1 at Pirbright, Winchester or Harrogate and Phase 2 training at the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill, you can join The King’s Troop and be assigned to a sub-section. If there’s availability within the forge, you can apply and undergo the selection process for an apprenticeship. You’ll be trained at Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) as well as on the job. There are opportunities to enter Army farrier competitions and you’ll receive lots of support and shared knowledge from other farriers – and vets too. It’s a great team. As you progress, you could eventually be promoted to the role of trainer at DATR, where you’ll help bring on apprentice farriers.

. What do you enjoy about the job?

I’ve always loved horses and have ridden since I was five years old. I spent the first six or seven years with The King’s Troop as a rider and instructor before training to become a farrier. Everyone in the Troop can ride, even the farriers, so it’s a fantastic job if you love horses and horse riding. Because I’m an experienced Troop rider, I can still be called on to ride in key positions at ceremonial events – a huge honour – but there are other opportunities for farriers to ride too, such as in the showjumping and cross-country events.

I love getting to know the horses and will admit to having a retired Troop horse called Tommy at home – it’s impossible not to get attached to them!

What have been the highlights of your career? Bringing retired Troop horse Tommy home was definitely one of them, but meeting Queen Elizabeth II was hard to top. I was fortunate enough to meet her a couple of times at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and I was also selected to meet her at The King’s Troop 70th Anniversary Salute. Her knowledge of horses was extremely impressive and it was always a privilege to perform in front of her.

Are there many female farriers?

I’m the only female farrier in the British Army at the moment. It’s a very physically and mentally challenging role, but The King’s Troop has a balanced mix of men and women so I don’t feel isolated.

CAREERS

Royal honour: The King’s Troop

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery is based in Woolwich, London. It’s one of three units with horses in the British Army. The others are the DATR at Melton Mowbray and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) in Knightsbridge. Historically, Army artillery would have been drawn by horses but, when mechanical methods took over, King George VI requested a troop of horse artillery be retained for ceremonial occasions. The unit was established as the Riding Troop in 1946 and became The King’s Troop in 1947. It was kept by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in honour of her father and has taken part in many state and royal occasions. The King's Troop carried the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II on a gun carriage from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster, where she lay in state in Westminster Hall until the morning of her funeral.

Go further

Watch Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II inspect The King's Troop on the occasion of its 70th anniversary here or scan the QR code.

The King’s Troop