Working Forge and Gallery
Nick Rule is a qualified Farrier since 2002. Whilst taking A-Levels at school Nick completed work experience with farrier and blacksmith Martin Lewis, where his first spark of interest in blacksmithing came into being. Despite his growing passion for blacksmithing Nick also loved to work with animals, and so the concept of working with both was born. So as it happened in
1997, Nick had the great opportunity to train as an apprentice to the very well respected farrier Bernie Tidmarsh, farrier to various members of the royal family and the Duke of Beaufort, in north Wiltshire. Once qualified and having spent 6 months travelling the world, Nick set up his own farriery business in Wiltshire, where he shod horses for world champion carriage driver Di Hayes, international Event rider Clayton Fredricks and some of the Queens top native show horses. He had a well established Farriery business there, but after plans to emigrate to New Zealand failed, Nick decided the next best thing was Dartmoor National Park. After spending many happy years exploring Dartmoor when growing up, it is somewhere he feels his heart is, as well as a great place to bring up his three young Children. Nick has spent 5 years growing his farriery business in Devon, and now has a busy round working with many remedial cases, veterinary referrals and top competition horses such as for Mary and Emily King. One of his proudest achievements, was shoeing Imperial Cavalier for Mary, and helping team GB secure their silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics. In October 2013 an opportunity Nick had always dreamt of, the chance to own an old Blacksmiths forge. After 15 months struggling with Mortgage and planning approval the purchase finally went through in January 2015. Although very run down, Nick wanted to renovate the forge bringing it into the 21st century, but still maintaining its old historic and traditional appeal. 18 months later, work completed, restored to its former glory, The Old Forge, Widecombe-In-The-Moor is now open for business, when he has time!!
