The College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) provides equine businesses with technical support and training opportunities to develop skills and competences.
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The equine courses offered at Enniskillen Campus incorporate a strong practical dimension and the philosophy of ‘learning by doing’ is applied throughout all programmes. This is especially true for the Farrier Upskilling programme which has been designed for working farriers (who have at least two years’ experience) to gain a recognised qualification from a world renowned organisation. Students attend on a part time basis, where they develop their forging, shoeing and theory aiming to achieve the prestigious qualification of the Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (DipWCF).
The intensive nature of the curriculum incorporates principles of equine anatomy, physiology, conformation, dynamics and movement, injuries/ ailments/diseases affecting the foot and limb and the principles of farriery. Practical skills include making many different types of shoes from basic steel strips to fit a range of horses. Students are required to produce a portfolio of handmade shoes using coke and/or gas forges, as well as undertake a practical and written examination. The students recognise the importance of honing their skills and gaining a qualification that offers themselves and their clients assurance that they are working to a professional recognised standard.
Applications are currently being accepted for the next intake, which is due to commence in May 2021 and will be delivered in compliance with Government restrictions in place due to Covid. Applications close Monday 26 April 2021.
For more information and to apply online, please view the CAFRE website.
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