Farrier School Online

Chris Gregory

CJF, FWCF, ASF

A professional horseshoer since 1987, Chris Gregory is one of the most trusted names in farriery and hoof-care education. Through his commitment to improve equine footcare, over 1000 students have graduated from his horseshoeing programs, many times that number have attended his clinics and lectures. Thousands of hoof-care practitioners and educators around the world have used and read his textbook, articles, blog and guides. Chris holds several academic degrees, including a master’s degree in human resource development, two bachelor’s degrees (with a minor) and an associate’s degree. An American Farrier’s Association Certified Journeyman Farrier, Chris has successfully passed this certification several times since first doing so in 1991. The AFA has recognized Chris with its Jim Linzy Outstanding Clinician Award twice, and Outstanding Farrier Educator Award 3 times.

As a farrier competitor, he has been a member of the American Farrier’s Team, which represents the US at the Internationals in Stoneleigh. He has competed at the World Championships Blacksmith Competition in Calgary 18 times and been in the Top Ten at that contest. He has also judged that prestigious competition. Through the World Champion Blacksmiths Association, Chris has finished in the Top Ten every year that he competed with them. Chris started competing in 1988, and has been in contests all over the world. Chris earned the title of Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (FWCF) at the age of 30. The Worshipful Company of Farriers, (WCF) is a group founded in London in 1356 and regarded by many as stewards of horseshoeing’s highest standards. Around 40 farriers currently hold this distinction, five of those Americans. In 2010, the Company named Chris an examiner, becoming the first American to work as an examiner for a WCF exam. He served for 5 years until deciding to dedicate more time and attention to the FITS Exam and the higher level of the AFA exams.

IA sought-after educator, clinician and lecturer, Chris has appeared at farrier and equine footcare events across the United States and around the globe. He has shod horses and done clinics on 6 continents, as well as presented numerous times at the American Farrier’s Association Annual Convention and the International Hoof-Care Summit. The FITS exam was originally written by Chris for the Association of Brazilian Farriers, but was later adopted in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and has been administered in the US as well.

Module Breakdown

The modules are set up as Multiple Choice, True/False, and Matching (Label to Diagram and Term to Definition/Description) and a breakdown of what you will find in each module is detailed below.

Chapters 1 to 6 of the book are an introduction to the craft of farriery, providing some history of the development of the profession. There are tips on safety, longevity in the trade, unwritten rules and ethics; followed by a list of the tools you would need to start off as well as some ideas on setting up your farrier shop and rig. These chapters are not examination material, but are considered as necessary reading if it is your intent to immerse yourself in farriery as your chosen lifestyle! No quizzes have been extracted from these chapters.

Module 1

This is where the action starts! One quiz extracted from Chapter 7: Anatomy Introduction, covering basic terminology of structures and their placement in relation to the body.

Module 2

Two quizzes from Chapter 8: The Foot.

Module 3

Seven quizzes from Chapter 9: Bones and Joints.

Module 4

Seven quizzes from Chapter 10: Ligaments and Tendons.

Module 5

Three quizzes from Chapter 11: Vascular, Nerve, and Lymphatic System basics of the Equine Leg.

Module 6

Three quizzes from Chapter 12: Biomechanics.

Chapter 13: Dissection. No quizzes have been extracted from this chapter but it is still important reading.

Module 7

Three quizzes from Chapter 14: Conformation.

Chapter 15: Corrective Shoeing Theory. Quizzes on this content are difficult to formulate for the platform we are using. Individual horses respond differently to corrective attempts, so you are encouraged to study the chapter in order to gain some understanding of what can be done to help conformational problems. Practical guidance from your Journeyman is essential before attempting corrective procedures on your own.

Module 8

Three quizzes from Chapter 16: Gaits and Chapter 17: Gait Faults.

Chapters 18 through to 25 are also tricky to apply to the format available to us. These chapters cover items and procedures that require practical application in your day to day work under the guidance of your Journeyman in order to fully grasp the content thereof. Study, apply, and go back to study if you are running into trouble anywhere. Repeat this process until you fully understand Chris’s teaching.

Module 9

One quiz from Chapter 26: Shoe Selection and Chapter 27: Shoe Modifications.

Chapters 28 through to 34. Refer to comment relating to Chapters 18 to 25.

Module 10

One quiz from Chapter 35: Myths of Farriery.

Chapters 36 to 42, under Section 9: In the Fire, are guidance and teachings to help you hone your practical skill set. There are no quizzes set up to cover these chapters.

Module 11

One quiz from Chapter 43: Lameness and Chapter 44: Causes of Lameness.

Module 12.1

Three quizzes from Chapter 45-1 to 45-9: Pathologies of the Horse’s Foot part 1.

Module 12.2

Three quizzes from Chapter 45-10 to 45-20: Pathologies of the Horse’s Foot part 2.

Module 13.1

Two quizzes from Chapter 46-1 to 46-9: Pathologies of the Horse’s Limb part 1.

Module 13.2

Two quizzes from Chapter 46-10 to 46-17: Pathologies of the Horse’s Limb part 2.

Chapters 47 to 55 are a great step-by-step tutorial on how to build the most useful shoes farriers are likely to need in their day to day work. Don’t be intimidated by fire and hot iron! You will be frustrated to start with, but frustration is soon replaced by huge reward and satisfaction in mastering the blacksmithing side of the business. Any farrier having the desire to progress to the more advanced qualifications of the profession will need to hone the skills covered in these chapters.

Chris Gregory

CJF, FWCF, ASF

Module Breakdown

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