Chinese student sparks online buzz by pursuing rare career, earning up to US$7,500 monthly

A university student in central China has attracted attention on social media for pursuing an unusual career: shoeing racehorses.

Fu Donghua, a fourth-year student at the Equestrian School of Wuhan Business University, earned his junior farrier certificate in April.

According to the China Horse Industry Association, there are only 70 certified farriers in China. Fu is the youngest of them and the only one still studying at university, Jimu News reported.

As a farrier, Fu trims and treats horses’ hooves, fits horseshoes and adjusts their angles to keep the animals healthy and extend their sporting careers.

“Shoeing a horse is like putting running shoes on it to provide cushioning,” Fu was quoted as saying. He added that a horseshoe lasts about 40 days.

“Shoeing horses is hard work. Many people have given up, but I’m determined to stick with this career,” he said.

At work, a farrier holds a horse’s hoof between their legs, bends over and constantly switches tools.

The job requires farriers to stay bent over for hours. As a result, many find it difficult to straighten their backs after the exhausting work.

“I’m striving for excellence, so I keep going. My teacher has generously shared his knowledge with me, so I must cherish this opportunity and learn as much as I can,” Fu said.

He recalled that, at the beginning of his training, he was told to peel wood for half a month to develop strength and improve his control of direction and angle.

Before working on a horse’s hooves, a farrier needs to build a good rapport with the animal, Fu said.

Patting its neck and touching its face, nose and jaw can help a horse gradually relax. Hugging its legs can also help it get used to being touched, Fu said.

Injuries are inevitable during training, he said.

In his first month, a nail cut into his palm so deeply that the bone was visible. It took him two weeks to recover.

In the most serious incident, a horse stepped on his left foot. It swelled so badly that Fu could not get out of bed for two weeks.

Fu said he hopes to earn his senior farrier certificate soon.

“My teacher has worked in this industry for three decades, and he says he is still learning. I’ll work hard like him and keep learning through practice,” he said.

Fu’s teacher, Li Jixin, said they usually charge at least 500 yuan to fit a horseshoe. He is confident Fu will be able to earn more than 10,000 yuan (US$1,500) a month after graduating.

Wang Qingbo, a senior farrier in Chengdu, in southwestern Sichuan province, earns 40,000 to 50,000 yuan a month. Recently, two university students left their previous majors to learn the trade from him.

“People watching us trim horses’ hooves may find it relaxing, but it’s tiring work. Few people can endure the hardship,” Wang said.

The story has brought the niche industry into the public conversation.

“To be honest, it’s a lucrative job, but it’s risky. A kick from a horse could cause broken bones or even paralysis,” one internet user commented.

Another person remarked: “A niche trade is attractive because it has few competitors.”