Horse’s hooves are constantly growing, changing, and being subjected to wear from activity. To ensure that they stay in good standings the support of a Farrier is necessary to maintain a healthy hoof. With the demand for farriers ever growing it is a tempting career path that offers self employment, flexible hours, and the ability to travel. But what does it take to be a Farrier, and as a consumer how do you ensure that your Farrier is qualified?
Farriers typically learn their trade through an apprenticeship paired with an education program offered through a college, university, or other accredited institute. During this education a farrier will not only learn how to properly trim, create an appropriate fitting shoe, and be able to apply a shoe to the horse, but will cover a variety of other related subjects. Topics include anatomy, physiology, equine biomechanics, equine management, health and safety practices, diagnostic methods, lameness evaluations, and how to produce an effective hoof care plan. The length of these courses greatly vary from course to course, but it is widely accepted that a four year apprenticeship/educational program is an adequate period to learn and then test the necessary skills a farrier needs to work independently. Only once a farrier has completed their required apprenticeship/educational courses will they be able to register with an applicable governing body as a professional farrier.
Despite many countries such as the United Kingdom mandating that farriers successfully complete a formal apprenticeship/educational program and register with a governing body, the United States currently has no formal requirements for individuals to begin offering farrier services. Instead education, apprenticeships, and accreditation are all left down to choice leading to many farriers starting their journey without a knowledgeable mentor or any formal education.
With the lack of regulation and oversight in the United States, the burden of deciding whether a farrier is capable and suitable to perform services falls directly to horse owners. This decision should not be taken lightly as your horse’s hooves are the building blocks to their success. Here are a few things to consider when searching for a farrier:
Word of Mouth – Ask your veterinarian and local equestrian community for any recommended farriers they have had the opportunity to work with.
Ask Questions – Once you have located a Farrier that might be a good fit for you and your horse, be sure to ask them about their work. Here are some great questions to start with; “What is your education?… Where did you apprentice?.. How long have you been working in this field?.. Do you have any references (can I see pictures of your work?..”).
Demonstration – See if there is the opportunity to watch them at another location trim another client’s horses.
Try Out – Agreeing to a farrier service is not a lifelong commitment. If you find a farrier that seems to meet your expectations, schedule them for your next trim cycle. Once you have had the opportunity to see them work with your horses and care for their feet, you can make the decision to continue to use their services or find another farrier.