Welcome to Willowbrook Equine Farriers
Willowbrook Equine Limited provides the ultimate farriery service for horse owners in the Northamptonshire and South Leicestershire areas. We cater for all types of horses from children's ponies up to international sports horses. The company was founded by 3 times World Champion Farrier, Darren Bazin who is an Associate of the Worshipful Company of farriers and has over 25 years of experience. As senior consultant farrier Darren is available to work on competition horses, horses with foot balance issues and therapeutic shoeing cases. One or two of his team members to pass on his extensive knowledge and to ensure that high standards are maintained often accompanies him. Willowbrook Equine Farriers have an excellent working relationship with the local veterinary practices and can readily receive radiographs via e-mail and converse with your veterinary surgeon to provide the best treatment for your horse. Darren is supported by his team, consisting of both qualified and apprentice farriers who provide the service and reliability of a multi-farrier practice with the support of a world-renowned farrier consultant. Willowbrook Equine Farriers offers the flexibility of pre-bookable appointments as well as weekend visits. A tiered price structure is used relating to the experience of the team members to provide horse owners with an affordable and professional service.
Darren Bazin was born into a horsey family and it was only natural that he would want a career working with horses. He became interested in farriery through a farrier friend of the family Philip (Tip) Warner and after completing school he managed to secure an apprenticeship with five times world champion blacksmith Billy Crothers and his business partner Carl Bettison. After a thoroughly enjoyable apprenticeship he managed to obtain the diploma of the worshipful company of farriers in 1992 and went on to become an associate in 1994.
Throughout his apprenticeship he was encouraged to compete in shoemaking competitions and once qualified started competing in the open shoeing classes.A competitive edge and a dedication to his craft saw him become 3x world forging champion, 3 x world shoeing champion and 3 x world champion Blacksmith.
The competitions have enabled Darren to strive for excellence which has helped maintain a top standard in his every day work in the busy practice based in Northamptonshire where he now trains his own apprentices. Another knock on effect of being one of the world's top competitive farriers are the various clinics Darren has been invited to give.
Darren is available for shoemaking and shoeing clinics both home and aboard. His shoeing practice covers Northants and parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Cambridgeshire.
