Who We Are

Who's Who?

Ironstride Farriery Solutions is built on a simple belief — that every horse deserves to have things done properly, and that the farriery industry deserves better than the reputation it's earned.

We're Zac, Mike and Andy. Between us we bring over a century of farriery experience, three generations of knowledge, and a shared love of getting it right. From pit ponies to performance horses, apprentices to AWCF — it's all here under one roof.

Why Ironstride exists

Because farriery has a reputation problem. Unreliable, unprofessional, cash in hand. We started Ironstride to be the opposite of that — FRC registered, properly run, properly invoiced, and focused on the long term health of every horse we shoe. The little things done right make all the difference. That's what we're here for.

Mike Chisholm DIPWCF

With over 30 years of shoeing experience, Mike brings a depth of knowledge that's rare in the industry. Trained under Tom Ryan — a leading laminitis expert of his time — Mike has worked and competed alongside some of the best names in farriery and trained apprentices along the way. He co-organises the Newark and Nottinghamshire County Shoeing Competition alongside Zac and joined Ironstride because the values matched his own. Where Zac will give it to you straight, Mike has the diplomacy covered — between them every conversation ends well.

Zac Watson DIPWCF

Qualified in 2018 and born and bred in Nottinghamshire, Zac has built Ironstride from the ground up with a clear purpose — professional farriery done properly. Alongside routine and remedial work, Zac co-organises the Newark and Nottinghamshire County Shoeing Competition with Mike. He's working toward his AWCF and his passion is remedial and therapeutic work, partnering with vets and equine specialists to get horses sound and performing well. He'll always tell you exactly what he thinks — no sugar coating, just straight talking and honest advice.

Andy Welch RSS

Andy has been around horses and farriery longer than most people have been alive. At 69, still registered and still turning up, Andy brings a lifetime of knowledge that simply can't be taught — from the working pit ponies of the local area to shoeing horses of every type imaginable. He's accumulated more than a few titles over the years, but his most important role at Ironstride might be chief of customer relations and emotional support.

Andy volunteers his time with us — he's here because some people never stop loving what they do, and we're not about to turn that down. He's selective about the horses he gets hands-on with, so if yours is one of them, consider it a privilege.

We're better for having him around.