The Farriery Project hosts Jay Tovey and co-host Mark Trussler introduce guest farrier Paul, who grew up in Strabane, Northern Ireland during the Troubles and is a fifth-generation farrier who started in the forge at 11 before his father died when he was 15. Paul describes the highly competitive Irish National Stud apprenticeship in Kildare, annual training blocks in England, and qualifying via a demanding exam, then progressing through Irish competitions at the Dublin Horse Show and later realising in England he needed to raise his level. He explains how the Troubles disrupted travel and business, recounting early hardships building a practice with minimal resources, and emphasises resilience and the value of difficult standards like the diploma. Paul also discusses running, cycling injuries, a 2019 brain micro-bleed likely linked to stress, sub ...