Keeping farriery in the family
A scoping study led one community member to develop his family's traditional trade.
Bhore was 14 when he followed the family tradition and started work as a farrier. He is now a Brooke-trained farrier and the sole earner for his family of six.
Back in 2012, a scoping study carried out by Brooke India revealed many working equines were suffering from hoof-related problems like canker and thrush, overgrown and misshapen hooves. Because of a lack of good quality, affordable farrier services, equine owners were still using traditional practices like dumping of the toe and cutting the frog instead. Unsurprisingly, lameness was common.
When the Brooke India team ran a series of training sessions for owners on farriery, hoof care, and animal welfare, Bhore’s interest and potential were noticed and he was given extra training. He soon adapted Brooke’s welfare-friendly practices into his daily farriery work.
He now makes quality shoes and supplies them to owners and other farriers in nearby villages, significantly increasing his income while carrying on his family’s tradition of farriery.
I am thankful to Brooke India team for providing me with training on quality farriery, and I am now extending my services to 150-160 equines on a regular basis.