A farrier is someone who specialises in equine foot care, but Richard Ballard prefers to think of himself as a podiatrist.
An independent contractor engaged by the racing industry’s big names, like Edward Cumming of Myrtle House, Richard works to keep the shoes of racehorses in tip-top condition.
“To be a farrier you’ve got to love horses,” says Richard, a self-professed animal lover who has also worked with donkeys, goats, sheep and even an elephant. “If you’re nervous, the horse is going to be nervous. You can’t just be a farrier, you’ve got to be a horseman.”
Richard completed his four-year apprenticeship in Melbourne some time ago and now has an apprentice of his own, Murray. “In the old days, the farrier was the town blacksmith; he did everything, made everything,” Richard says. “Things have changed a bit over the years, but we still make a lot of shoes. Murray, my apprentice, was making shoes this past weekend.”
Like people, horses can require new shoes with varying frequency. “Horses, like humans, are all different. Some humans can have a pair of shoes that will last a long time; I go through my boots in four months,” Richard says, explaining wear and tear as well as the ‘elements’ of the work environment aren’t conducive to footwear longevity. As for the horses, “If it’s a pony, it’s usually every six weeks, whereas a racehorse is every 21 days or whenever they race.”
And much like the sporting cliche, you’re only as good as your last race, Richard says, “You’re as good as your last job.” Modesty forbids that Richard call himself one of the best in the business, but if the shoe fits…
