The Team

Meet the team

DipWCF Qualified Farrier, Certified Euro Farrier (CEF), Approved Training Farrier (ATF) and The Boss

John Nisbet DipWCF

I am a highly motivated and dedicated professional who thrives on fresh challenges. I enjoy learning, developing and implementing all aspects of advancing Farriery skills and techniques. I am dedicated to excellent service provision and delivery and treat each client as an individual, with individual needs.

I started my Farriery career in Scotland in 1992 when I began a 4 year 2 month apprenticeship with  Approved Training Farrier (ATF)  Ruaraidh Robb AWCF.  I was lucky enough to be trained by Ruaraidh who as an AWCF (Associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers) carried out a great deal of 'corrective Farriery'.  It was with this influence that I also became interested in this aspect of the Farriery profession.  Upon attaining the DipWCF (Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers) examination in 1996 and gaining my place on the Register of Farriers.  With my foot firmly on the first run of the Farriery ladder I set up my own business.  From 1996 until December 2002 I ran a very successful professional Farriery service from my home town of Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders. In January 2003 I relocated to Devon for a new challenge.  Since then I have built up another successful professional Farriery service covering a wide area of Devon and Somerset looking after an increasing number of clients horses.

Through a strong interest in the promotion of Farriery as a profession and as a keen advocate of maintaining the high standards in Farriery through continuing professional development (CPD), the training of apprentices and in how the profession is run and taken forward I have become involved with the Worshipful Company of Farriers.

On 17th November 2009 I was successfully admitted to the Freedom of The Worshipful Company of Farriers. 

Following this, as part of the process which is still the same today as it was hundreds of years ago, I, (through redemption) was admitted to the Freedom of the City of London on 22nd March 2010. 

After receiving both the Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF) and the Freedom of the City of London I made an application to become a Liveryman of the WCF.    After a successful interview process, I was admitted to the Company as a Liveryman on 24th March 2010.

In November 2010 I started on a 3 year commitment to a foundation degree in Farriery at Myerscough in Lancashire.  This is a remote learning degree of which I must attend the college 2 days per month with weekly modules to complete between each visit.  At the end of this I hope to attain an FdSc in Farriery with a high enough grade to also apply to the Worshipful Company of Farriers for the award of the AWCF.  My academic goal after the FdSc is to undertake a BSc (Hon's) in Farriery which will take a further 2 years.

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DipWCF Qualified Farrier

Oliver Oakaby (Ollie)

Ollie joined the team on November 8th 2010 as a 4th year Apprentice.  He came to us to complete his apprenticeship by successfully completing and passing the DipWCF examination as set by the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF).  In January 2011 he successfully passed his DipWCF practical exam with a 'B'.  With the passing of the DipWCF and the completion of his apprenticeship on February 28th 2011 Ollie has now became a fully qualified Farrier and remains a major asset to the company.  Ollie has shown throughout his time with us that he can carry out work to the high standard both we and our clients expect.  His goal is to continue to build his reputation as a good, reliable Farrier.  In the future he wishes to further his knowledge by taking the two further higher level of examinations within Farriery, the AWCF & FWCF.  He aims to 'do what is right for the horse' throughout his daily work.

Ollie has been involved with horses since he was 13 years old getting his own pony, GiGi at the age 15 when he joined the pony club.  In the pony club he competed in the National Championships coming 7th in the individuals.  He has also enjoyed a win competing in a hunter trial at Straightgate.  He then moved onto compete in British Eventing.  Outside of work and horses Ollie enjoys a wide variety of sports including  surfing, body boarding, skateboarding and any ball sport.  He also enjoys pubs and clubs with friends.

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 1st Year Apprentice

Rosalyn Ford

Rosalyn joined the team on 20th September 2010 as a Blacksmith.  Since she started Rosalyn has been learning the art of shoemaking and has taken to it very well.  She has been responsible for making the majority of the shoes we have been using since she started.  She started her 4 year 2 month Apprenticeship in Farriery with us on January 4th 2011.  With her quick grasp of shoemaking and her years of horse experience we feel that Rosalyn will become a knowledgeable and liked Farrier and continue to be an asset to the company.

 

She has been around horses all of her life  coming from a  family heavily involved in Hunting.  She says that she can't remember ever not having horses around.  Living on a farm with Hunt horses and a passionate Hunting Equine family Rosalyn made the progression into Farriery.  Outside of work Rosalyn still enjoys her horses regularly Hunting and also enjoying horse racing. 

Her professional goal is to pass her DipWCF exam with Honors so we better make sure she gets there.

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Our Team Will Always

• Be Professional at all times
• Treat your horse in a gentle calm manner
• Work to an exceptionally high standard
• Seek a second opinion if they are unsure of a problem.
• Be courteous and polite to all clients
• Aim to be on time for all appointments
• Respect your opinions as a horse owner
• Give advise to the best of our knowledge when requested