Horse Week: Gregorys inspire Northern Ireland’s next generation of farriers

The trip followed a landmark occasion for Cody Gregory, who was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF) with Honours at the WCF Awards Ceremony in London on 24 June 2026.

As part of their visit to Northern Ireland, Cody delivered a dedicated training day at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Enniskillen Campus aimed at early-career farriers, including current trainees and those who have completed their training within the last five years.

The event, The Thinking Farrier – Early Career Development Day, was organised in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Farrier Association (NIFA), reflecting a shared commitment to supporting those entering the industry.

The day opened with an engaging and thought-provoking presentation from Cody, centered on the anatomical structures involved in equine movement and the implications these can have for farriery decision-making. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and teaching experience, Cody broke down complex anatomical concepts into practical, relatable principles that the audience could immediately apply to their own work.

A key focus of the morning session was understanding the biomechanics of the hind limb. Cody explained the function of the stay apparatus and reciprocal apparatus, exploring how these unique anatomical systems allow the horse to stand efficiently and move effectively.

He also examined muscle function within the hind limb and discussed how an understanding of these structures can influence shoeing decisions. His enthusiasm for equine anatomy and biomechanics was evident throughout, leaving participants with plenty to consider as they develop their own approaches to hoof care.

Following the classroom session, attention turned to the forge. With the fires lit, Cody demonstrated key forging principles, sharing practical techniques and explaining how biomechanics should influence a farrier’s work at the anvil.

Throughout the forging demonstrations, Cody focused not only on how to make a shoe, but also why each action mattered. He carefully explained every aspect of the process, from body position, tong placement and hammer swing to the effective use of the anvil horn during shoe making and shaping. By identifying and removing as many variables as possible, he demonstrated how farriers can develop a repeatable system that can be practised consistently, creating the best opportunity for meaningful practice and long-term success.

After lunch, the focus shifted to the practical application of those principles on a demonstration horse.

Before any work was carried out, Cody assessed the horse’s movement and explained his observations to the group. Each stage of the shoeing process was then carefully demonstrated and discussed, ensuring attendees understood not only what was being done, but why.

One particularly valuable aspect of the session involved reviewing video footage of the horse before and after shoeing. This gave participants a unique opportunity to analyse the effects of the farriery intervention and identify the changes that had been achieved. The use of video analysis reinforced the importance of observation, assessment and evidence-based decision-making in modern farriery practice.

The day concluded with an informal panel discussion focused on career development and professional support within the industry. The panel featured Cody Gregory, Chris Gregory, CAFRE farriery lecturers Paul Duddy AWCF and Caolan Kelly DipWCF, alongside Lee Johnston DipWCF, Chairperson of NIFA.

Discussion centred on the challenges commonly faced during the early years of practice, the importance of mentorship, and the opportunities available for continued professional development. Attendees benefited from hearing a range of perspectives, including insights from both Cody and Chris Gregory on their own professional journeys and philosophies towards farriery.

For many of the early-career farriers present, the day provided a rare opportunity to gain first-hand insight from two internationally respected practitioners.

The level of engagement throughout reflected the value of the experience, with attendees eager to explore new ideas and challenge their own thinking.

A clear message emerged from both CAFRE and NIFA: individuals entering the profession will be supported throughout their development. The event highlighted the strength of the farriery community in Northern Ireland and its commitment to helping aspiring farriers gain experience, improve their skills and progress within the trade.

This commitment is also reflected in CAFRE’s recent educational developments.

Over the past year, the college has reintroduced the City & Guilds Level 2 Forgework Certificate, available both within the full-time Level 2 Horse Care programme and as a part-time qualification. This flexible approach has helped make forgework training and farriery career pathways more accessible to a wider range of learners. Alongside this, CAFRE’s Farriery Upskilling Programme provides a structured route for those already working within the industry to expand their knowledge, develop practical expertise and prepare for professional examinations.

The momentum continued on Saturday 27 June when NIFA hosted a clinic day with Cody Gregory at Crossan’s Forge in Lisburn. The well-attended event focused on practical skills including the making and fitting of bar shoes and the importance of tailoring shoes to individual horses. While Cody demonstrated some more complex shoe designs during the second day, he continually reinforced that the same core fundamentals applied regardless of the shoe being made.

The principles of correct body position, efficient hammer control, systematic forging and thoughtful decision-making remained central throughout every demonstration.

As with the CAFRE event, Cody’s ability to clearly explain both his actions and thought processes proved invaluable to attendees. Across both days, participants repeatedly commented on his exceptional ability to communicate complex concepts in a straightforward and understandable manner.

Whether discussing anatomy, biomechanics, forging techniques or shoeing decisions, he consistently reinforced the importance of critical thinking, deliberate practice and continual learning.

The Gregorys’ visit provided an outstanding learning opportunity for farriers across Northern Ireland and reinforced the importance of continuous professional development at every stage of a farrier’s career. For those in attendance, the events delivered not only practical skills and technical knowledge, but also the confidence and inspiration to continue advancing within the profession.