Soldier becomes first female in British Army to fully qualify as military farrier
A soldier in the Royal Horse Artillery has made history by becoming the first woman in the British Army to fully qualify as a military farrier.
Despite being a trade that is male-dominated, the number of female farriers is on the rise and it's all thanks to people like Lance Bombardier Abbie Robinson-Wyss.
The NCO from King's Troop RHA, who was part of the team that made the horseshoes worn by the horses who pulled the Queen's coffin at her funeral, said: "If you're passionate and you're wanting to do something, then do it – there's nothing stopping you.
She added: "I was just happy to qualify as a farrier... but knowing if I did do it then I could set a bit of history as well, that was just the bonus for me really."
Military farriers file and trim horses' hoofs to ensure they remain healthy and strong, and then fit specially made horseshoes so they can go out on the road and perform ceremonial duties.
The soldier, who has served with King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery since 2014, claims she was "just lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time qualifying within the military".
But she earned her military farrier title fair and square, even passing her theory examinations with honours.
Passionate about riding and caring for horses since she was five, 28-year-old LBdr Robinson-Wyss couldn't imagine a career that wasn't equine-focused, so after some research she decided to join the Army.
She said: "I could never see myself doing a job on like civilian street, so looked into the Army and I was like, this is perfect.
"Found out more about the King's Troop and then found out you could then do farriery within the King's Troop as well, so for me it was a bonus."
LBdr Robinson-Wyss completed her apprenticeship at the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) in Melton Mowbray and now joins the cadre of Certified Military Farriers.
Of her success, the DATR said: "We are incredibly proud of LBdr R-Wyss' determination and flagship journey.
"All of our farriers are a credit to their regiments and the historic trade that they continue to master.
"What an amazing role model LBdr Robinson-Wyss is to females within London District Regiments KTRHA and HCMR.
"We have another young lady just starting her journey also – very proud."
Just like LBdr Robinson-Wyss says, the young soldier went for it and now it's her future, saying: "She's not been with the Troop that long and she's shown an interest and she's got in. So yeah, it's good."
When asked whether she would have to buy a crate of beer for her fellow soldiers for having made the news, she said: "I think they'll be like 'chuffing hell, that's all we've seen!'.
"The main thing was just to qualify, this was just an added bonus on top."
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
