Interview with Alan Bailey - Internationally Acclaimed Farrier and Teacher

In today's episode we talk to internationally acclaimed farrier and teacher, Alan Bailey of England.

Alan Bailey began shoeing in 1963. He comes from a long line of farriers and blacksmiths. In 1978, he went to teach at the Hereford College. There, Alan became well-known for his teaching method; especially of anatomy and physiology. He is responsible for raising the standard of excellence in the farrier training exams at the Hereford College. Because Alan demanded such a high standard of his students, he has the unique distinction, as a teacher, of never having had a student fail. He is still affectionately remembered by many of his former students. They appreciate that he expected so much and he never gave up on them.

In 1988, Alan left the school to become the liaison officer for the Farrier Registration Council of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. He went to Louisville, KY and gave a presentation at the Laminitis Symposium in January of 1989. After that, he became popular on the international lecture circuit. He has spoken at many seminars and clinics all over the world (including eastern and western Australia, Tasmania, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, etc.). He was in high demand for his outstanding teaching style.

Alan retired from international lecturing having realized the limitations of his practical know-how, and returned to horse shoeing and veterinary technical consultant work. He revisited the traditional methods as taught in the United Kingdom, relearned horse shoeing to the benefit of the horse, and how not to follow a method determined by history and practiced by the indoctrinated. He suggests that 'the methods subsequently learned and used in his everyday shoeing would now raise awareness of the farriers responsibility to the functionality of the animal.

Alan retired from shoeing horses in 2016.

Alan shares some of his experiences with running a shoeing practice, working with veterinarians, his friendship with Dr. Doug Butler, and his experiences teaching at the Hereford College in England.

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