Over eight million horses were involved in the First World War (WW1) and an estimated 3,000 blacksmiths and farriers from all sides played an essential role in supporting the war effort, from repairing and maintaining equipment to shoeing millions of horses.
It is important to recognise the vital contribution made by horses and farriers during WWI. During the time of the Great War a significant amount of farriery was done with small teams of people; typically the master farrier and his helper (striker). In order to recognise this, a farrier, Adrian Legge AWCF, with a helper, attended the event on a daily basis to demonstrate how a heavy horse is shod, with live horse shoeing daily, along with shoemaking demonstrations.
During the time of the Great War a significant amount of farriery was done with small teams of people; typically the master farrier and his helper (striker). The demonstrations/competitions will be structured to illustrate this approach, with horses being shod with the types of shoe used during the Great War. It is anticipated world-wide farriery organisations, training providers, farriers, farriery students and apprentices and those with an interest in horses will come along and get involved in this remarkable event.
