Farrier Peter O'Connell
Dunmanway - West Cork
Shoeing Irish Cob Mare Bailey at Ballicummisk Riding School
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Scroll down and find Peter explaining what he does on the shots below ...
and a short interview about how Peter became a farrier at the end of this website
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"Rounding off the foot"
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"Cleaning out the sole"
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"Cleaning out the sole" : Close up Shot
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"Trimming the wall (of the hoof) with a pair of snipes"
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"(Nearly) ... finished / tucking in the clips" ... this is twisting off and turning inwards the end of the nails
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"Shavings aflying ..."
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"Rounding off" (grinding the hoofs wall to meet the outer shape of the shoe)
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"Shoes and nails"
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"Clinching the nails with a Crocodile Snipes"
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"Trimmed foot ready for a shoe"
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"Trimming"
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"Sizing up a shoe"
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"Nailing on ..."
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"Ringing off the points of the nails"
The 200 Seconds Interview
How did you get into doing this job?
Peter: "I was in college doing Wildlife Biology. I was in a pub on a Friday and met a man named Sean. He told me he was working as a farrier and that he was looking for an apprentice. I went with him on that Saturday just to check it out. We came to the first yard and I put the apron on and went under the the first horse and never looked back since. I pretty much fell into it. I never had worked with horses before. We kept a few horses at home but that was about it."
For how long are you in that job now?
Peter: "I am doing it now for 5 years."
Have you ever been kicked badly?
Peter: "By (an Irish) Draft mare. I had my collarbone broken, a hairline fracture and a dislocated shoulder all in one go."
Any regrets?
Peter: " ... only that I did not take it up sooner. I am qualified now since 1.5 years."
Thank you!
If you want to get in contact with Peter, here is his email address:
or browse his facebook entry here
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