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From England to Australia: A Farriery Connection

Date: 20-03-2026
Information For Horse Owners Harriet Bishop

From England to Australia: A Farriery Connection
In 2019, I packed a suitcase and fully expected to be back in Yorkshire within the month. Instead, that “short trip” turned into six years, two continents, a new surname, calling Perth home and becoming a Mum.
Life here still has that holiday feel. I’m not surfing before work, but stopping between jobs to watch dolphins off a pristine beach definitely beats sheltering in a greasy spoon waiting for the rain to pass (although I do still love a greasy spoon.)
That said, Australia demands respect. I’ve become much better at checking boots, watching long grass, and assuming anything I pick up might bite me. And the water might look nice but do check first, it’s full of things with very big teeth. On the whole I’m more careful, but not paranoid. Mostly.
 
Working Environments : England and Australia
As life has adapted, so has work. Farriery has always been shaped by environment, and nowhere is that more apparent than when you compare England and Australia.
I never realised how vast western Australia is. Twenty times the size of England, with roughly twenty times fewer people. Perth may as well be its own country — the next major city is a 17-hour drive away, or a five-hour flight. Space is something you feel constantly, both in life and in work
The most obvious difference between the two countries is climate. Perth is hot and dry, and once temperatures push past 35°C, everything becomes about efficiency and preparation. You manage your workflow, limit unnecessary movements, and focus on getting the job done safely and correctly.
Like working through winter rain and cold in England, once you just accept it, it’s actually not that bad. I might not go as far to say ‘you don’t even notice the heat’ but, you kind of don’t.
Summer days regularly exceed 40°C, and working conditions can be extreme, particularly in enclosed sheds, concrete yards or paddock trimming in black sand. There’s a moment when you approach the next horse and you make eye contact — you and the horse both dripping in sweat — and you silently agree to get the job done as quickly as possible with minimal contact.
Environmental risk is also taken seriously. Something that I didn’t realise at the start! In dry conditions, hot shoeing is restricted due to wildfire danger. A single spark can have serious consequences, so tool choice, setup, and awareness are critical parts of daily work.
Farriery: A Profession in High Demand
There is a significant demand for farriers here. Some clients transport horses 4 hours each way just to have them shod. In many areas, access to skilled trades isn’t guaranteed, which places a huge emphasis on reliability, consistency, and doing the job properly every time — there isn’t always someone else down the road to fix mistakes. That goes for your tools too, if they’re not reliable and consistent then you’ll struggle.
The horses themselves differ too. Heavy horses and traditional cobs are rarer. Most of our work involves Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and stock horses, which brings its own set of demands in terms of balance, durability, and performance.
Clients are clients wherever you go. But sunshine does make people, including me, a bit more easy-going. Working under blue skies instead of grey ones genuinely changes how a day feels.
 
Seasonal Challenges across continents
Seasonal hoof changes still exist, just at different extremes. Long dry periods can harden feet significantly, followed by rapid softening when rain arrives. Understanding these cycles — and adjusting shoeing strategies accordingly — is essential.
I never used to use half round nippers in the UK but they now have their own spot in my toolbox for summer. Feet in the UK definitely still became hard and dry but not for the same length of time as they do in Australia and so never had to opportunity to get the big bulky retained sole that you have to chip away at like glass.
Mud, at least, is redefined. It’s rarely the thick, clinging mess known in the UK — more often than not it’s just wet sand, which dries and blows away. That alone feels like a small luxury.
 
Professional Standards Applied
Training pathways differ significantly too. In Australia, qualification isn’t obligatory, but for people who choose to take on an apprenticeships, the ones offered in WA are shorter and less structured than in the UK. While this offers flexibility for people wishing to pick up the trade, it also highlights the importance of personal standards, mentorship, and pride in the craft.
Like most things in Perth, there are less competitions and clinics. WA has one competition a year, and attending events elsewhere means flights that can cost as much as returning to the UK. It’s a stark contrast to England, where opportunities to learn and compete are often just down the road. As a result, professional development looks different — it’s more self-directed and relies heavily on surrounding yourself with the right people and resources.
You can still easily create an environment that pushes standards forward. Good workmanship travels — regardless of geography.
Farriery doesn’t change at its core — only the context does. Whether you’re working in cold rain or extreme heat, the fundamentals remain the same: balanced feet, well-fitted shoes, and tools you can rely on. Success still comes down to preparation, consistency, and respect for the horse.
Australia demands adaptability, but it also offers the freedom to build the kind of career you want. It’s a place that rewards good workmanship and a strong work ethic. And that, wherever you are in the world, is what matters most.
 

Harriet Bishop Farriery