DINSMORE — Jayde Hudson, a farrier from Dinsmore, is a great example of how non-traditional roles are bringing women to the forefront of the science of farriery.
With her business, Horse Farrier Service, she's modernizing an age-old trade.
Hudson's journey to becoming a farrier wasn't straightforward. After graduating, she decided not to attend university and instead enrolled in a one-year farrier course at Olds College in Alberta. Although the course was brief, she opted to extend her training with a three-year apprenticeship.
This hands-on experience not only taught her the basics of horseshoeing but also about complex issues like bone deformation and hoof health.
"You don't see the cool things if you just take the one-year course," she smiled.
Hudson's apprenticeship provided her with a deeper understanding of her craft, and she now loves her job for its outdoor work and connection to nature. She also appreciates the freedom from a traditional office setting.
In recent years, Hudson has noticed an increase in female farrier students, especially from the eastern provinces. However, the industry still has a way to go in terms of gender equality, with only 10 per cent of farriers in Saskatchewan being women.
Despite this, Hudson's business is thriving, with a schedule that involves working with 250 animals on a six-week rotation, up to eight times a year.
She specializes in caring for horses, mules, and donkeys, and is a big believer in the well-known phrase, "No foot, no horse," reflecting her commitment to maintaining the animal’s overall health.
As a farrier, Hudson's work can be physically demanding, and she's had her share of injuries, including being kicked, thrown and even having a tooth knocked out.
Some of the horses she works with are high-value animals, including rodeo horses, reining horses and Clydesdales.
She notes that the concept of "expensive" is subjective, but she's proud to work with horses that are highly valued by their owners.
Hudson's travel schedule takes her across the province, particularly during the busy season from April to November. Her peak season coincides with the main rodeo events, and she also gets busy just before winter, when owners prepare their horses for trips to Arizona.
Despite her demanding schedule, Hudson manages to take a short break by attending the Forging in the Rockies competition in Brisco, BC, where she participated in a two-person fun contest and placed eighth out of 14 teams.
Hudson's dedication to her craft and her commitment to excellence reflect the professional motto of the Western Farriers Association: "Our main purpose is to organize farriers for the promotion of excellence in the art and science of farriery," where gender is not a barrier to success.
Hudson's story is a testament to the fact that, with hard work and determination, anyone can succeed in this rewarding and challenging profession.
