Meaning
A craftsman who shod horses, fitting and nailing iron shoes to their hooves.
Description
Farriers combined the skills of a blacksmith with specialist knowledge of horse anatomy. They trimmed and shaped hooves, made or adapted iron shoes and fitted them securely. A good farrier could identify and help correct problems with a horse's gait and hoof condition. The trade was closely associated with veterinary practice and many farriers provided basic medical treatment for horses. The distinction between farrier and blacksmith was not always observed in census records, where both occupations might be recorded simply as smith.
Also Known As
Blacksmith, Horse Shoer
Commonly Found In
- Census Returns
- Trade Directories
- Parish Registers
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