Métiers d'antan au Fuilet : le maréchal ferrant - le hongreur – le bourrelier

The trades of farrier, groom and saddler are traditional crafts linked to the equine world, playing an essential role in the history of rural life.

Farriers are craftsmen who specialise in shoeing horses. This profession dates back to Antiquity, when the first horseshoes were designed. The farrier works mainly with iron and must have skills in metallurgy. They forge shoes that are adapted to each horse, taking into account the animal's morphology and activity. As well as shoeing, he also looks after the hooves, regularly trimming them to prevent disease and injury.

The groom, although often confused with the farrier, has a specific role in horse maintenance. He is responsible for the management and care of the horses, particularly their health. The groom looks after the physical condition and well-being of the animals, ensuring that they are well fed, well treated and in good health. This job requires knowledge of equine nutrition, as well as disease and preventive care.

The saddler, on the other hand, is the craftsman who makes and repairs the leather equipment used for horses, such as saddles, harnesses and bridles. This profession requires a high level of expertise in working with leather, with particular attention paid to the solidity and comfort of the equipment. The saddler must also be able to customise items according to the needs of riders and horses, ensuring a good fit for each animal.

Although these trades are less common today because of mechanisation, they are still essential to certain activities, particularly traditional riding and trail riding. They bear witness to ancestral know-how and a special relationship between man and horse.