Horsehoeing School of Canada offers hands-on training for aspiring farriers
CENTRE WELLINGTON – The Horseshoeing School of Canada, located on Wellington Road 18 northeast of Fergus, selects just 12 students per year and immerses them in the world of horses and hoof care.
School owner and instructor Paul Fischbach has over 20 years of experience in the industry and has participated in farrier competitions for many years.
Originally from Switzerland, Fischbach came to Canada to “learn the North American way” of horseshoeing and trimming. He attended the University of Guelph before branching out and eventually starting his own school.
“I offer [classes to] anybody who wants to learn how to shoe a horse. I teach them the basics, I teach them the tools, how to use the tools, I teach them how to make shoes from a straight piece of steel. And then I teach them how to use store-purchased shoes that we shape to the horse’s hoof, because each horse’s hoof is a little bit different,” said Fischbach.
After learning the basics, Fischbach’s students accompany him to farms across the county for real-life, hands-on experience.
“We go almost every day, to different barns – my customers,” said Fischbach.
“The students learn on my customer’s horses. Of course, they do the very basics, I take care of the more difficult tasks when it comes to shoeing horses. And I slowly integrate them into the whole shoeing process.”
Fischbach’s school runs for three months per class and he only teaches four classes per year, with small class sizes.
“The problem is in a lot of the [farrier schools] they have anywhere from 20 to 30 students and one instructor,” said Fischbach.
“I only take three students per class. So ... they’re right beside me and they can see everything I do and they can hear everything I do when I’m right there.”
Asked if there is a growing need for farriers locally, Fischbach said not yet, but soon.
“In the last week, I got five phone calls from five farriers who are looking for apprentices,” said Fischbach.
“We have currently an aging population of farriers and newer ones, young farriers, need to come up and fill that void that’s going to be in the next five to 10 years.
“If you’re looking for a car mechanic, there are lots of them out there, but finding one that you trust, finding one that you really like, they’re hard to come by. And that’s the same with farriers.”
Young aspiring farriers can apply to the Horseshoeing School of Canada by visiting its website at horseshoeingschoolofcanada.com and submitting an information request at the bottom of the page.
“The only requirement I have is that they’re 18 years old, they can drive, they can provide their own transportation and basically a willingness to learn,” said Fischbach.
