Farriers spend years learning how to shape custom-fit shoes for all varieties of horse. Here a farrier from the Household Cavalry prepares for the 2011 royal wedding between Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
Farriers spend years learning how to shape custom-fit shoes for all varieties of horse. Here a farrier from the Household Cavalry prepares for the 2011 royal wedding between Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Top farriers say there is no such thing as an "off-the-shelf" horseshoe. Each shoe is a bespoke item, crafted by hand after a thorough examination of the horse, with an understanding of the duties it must perform.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
Top farriers say there is no such thing as an "off-the-shelf" horseshoe. Each shoe is a bespoke item, crafted by hand after a thorough examination of the horse, with an understanding of the duties it must perform.
Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
Farriers use an array of tools such as knives, nippers, rasps and tongs to prepare both the shoe and the horse's foot. The hot shoe is then applied to the hoof.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
Farriers use an array of tools such as knives, nippers, rasps and tongs to prepare both the shoe and the horse's foot. The hot shoe is then applied to the hoof.
Peter Madiarmid/Getty Images/file
There are many varieties of horseshoe on the market, each designed for specific conditions. Here, Swiss farriers work with a shoe designed for grip in the snow ahead of racing on a frozen lake near St. Moritz.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
There are many varieties of horseshoe on the market, each designed for specific conditions. Here, Swiss farriers work with a shoe designed for grip in the snow ahead of racing on a frozen lake near St. Moritz.
AFP/Getty Images
This is racehorse shoe is made from lightweight aluminum, giving the horse grip without compromising its speed. Aluminum shoes wear very quickly on roads, so would be a poor choice for a working horse.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
This is racehorse shoe is made from lightweight aluminum, giving the horse grip without compromising its speed. Aluminum shoes wear very quickly on roads, so would be a poor choice for a working horse.
Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images
Farriers must work closely around and underneath horses -- they risk being kicked and seriously injured if caught in the wrong place when an animal is spooked.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
Farriers must work closely around and underneath horses -- they risk being kicked and seriously injured if caught in the wrong place when an animal is spooked.
Boris Horvat/AFP/Getty Images
Farriery has been an occupation, and an art, for thousands of years, incorporating the skills of a blacksmith with elements of horsemanship. This photo shows a farrier at work in a Guatemalan mountain village in the 1950s.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
Farriery has been an occupation, and an art, for thousands of years, incorporating the skills of a blacksmith with elements of horsemanship. This photo shows a farrier at work in a Guatemalan mountain village in the 1950s.
Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Haydn Price is a farrier working with Britain's top riders. He helped Team GB to Olympic titles in dressage and showjumping at London 2012.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
Haydn Price is a farrier working with Britain's top riders. He helped Team GB to Olympic titles in dressage and showjumping at London 2012.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Farriery can be a sport in its own right. Here, farriers at the Great Yorkshire Show compete against each other. Judges look for the quality of metal forging, fitting and finish on the shoe.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
Farriery can be a sport in its own right. Here, farriers at the Great Yorkshire Show compete against each other. Judges look for the quality of metal forging, fitting and finish on the shoe.
Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
The Calgary Stampede, one of the world's biggest equestrian events held each July in the Canadian city, plays host to an annual world championships for farriers.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
The Calgary Stampede, one of the world's biggest equestrian events held each July in the Canadian city, plays host to an annual world championships for farriers.
Bill Marsh/Getty Images
Competitors at the world championships must work to a time limit in front of a panel of judges. Only 60 leading farriers are allowed to enter.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
Competitors at the world championships must work to a time limit in front of a panel of judges. Only 60 leading farriers are allowed to enter.
Shane Kuhn/Getty Images
British farriers lead the way, having won all but a handful of world titles since the championships began more than three decades ago.
Masters of the forge and the foot —
British farriers lead the way, having won all but a handful of world titles since the championships began more than three decades ago.
Mike Ridewood/Getty Images