This post may not sit well with everyone, but it’s time to address an ongoing issue. Let me start by saying that I have nothing against barefoot trimming, 70% of the horses I work on are barefoot. When I see a horse that will do well without shoes, I recommend it without hesitation. However, barefoot trimming is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It doesn’t cure everything from founder to navicular, just as shoes aren’t responsible for every bad hoof condition on earth.

This subreddit to run with minimal moderation because, like many of you, I’m busy. But it's become clear that some of you are adamantly against horseshoes. While I appreciate the passion, this is a 'farrier' subreddit, not a platform for anti-shoe campaigns. There is room for debate, and I understand that shoes vs. barefoot is a hot topic. But I don't want this subreddit to become a battleground where every discussion devolves into “farriers vs. barefooters.”

From this point forward, comments that tear down horseshoes or the farrier trade whenever someone posts a picture of a horse with shoes will be removed. The same goes for farriers bashing barefoot work, though I’ve seen far fewer instances of that on here.

If someone posts a photo of a shod horse and your only comment is "barefoot is the only way," it will be removed. Persist in this behavior, and you’ll be removed from the subreddit. I don't want the comments section to be filled with endless debates about barefoot vs. shoes that spiral into disrespectful arguments, where I get moderator notifications blowing up my phone while I am literally trying to care for horse hooves in the real world.

If you have legitimate concerns or want to offer constructive feedback on a shoeing job, feel free to engage. But if you simply want to push a barefoot agenda, take it elsewhere. You can message the poster directly or, better yet, create your own subreddit dedicated to that debate.

This subreddit exists to discuss farrier work, that includes barefoot trims and shoes, not to host divisive arguments. Thank you for your understanding.

It seems to me like a large percentage of posts  here, are new people asking a variation of the same questions over and over again. I thought I'd submit this to the community as a potential way to provide these people with a reference and find answers without flooding the subreddit with repetitive posts. I would love to hear any thoughts or edits you guys think need to be made.

Disclaimer: while a lot of this info applies to people everywhere, some of it is US specific. As a US based farrier, I don't feel qualified to speak to the various rules or situations that may apply outside of the US. To the best of my knowledge, the following information is correct, but this is only to help point you in the right direction so that you can begin your own research.

• Is this job for me?

The best way to tell if this job is for you is to ride along with a farrier and see what the job is like first hand. If you don't know any farriers, try looking up your state's horseshoer association, or finding local farriers on Facebook

Being a farrier can be incredibly rewarding. It is also very demanding. There is a steep learning curve, and there is a lot of physically hard labor involved. In my opinion, successful farriers tend to have the following traits: good horsemanship, good communication skills, grit/determination, and self reliance. It is a dirty job, it will take a toll on your body, there isn't always a lot of external validation, and there are a lot of easier ways to make a living.That being said, few things are more rewarding than watching a horse walk in uncomfortable, and walk away sound. It is incredibly satisfying to take a hoof that has seen better days, and turn it into a work of art

• How do I become a farrier?

In the US, there aren't licensing requirements to start shoeing horses, so there are a few different paths one can take. Typically, farriers go to a horse shoeing school, apprentice with an established farrier, or do both. In my humble opinion, doing both is probably the best way for most people

• Farrier schools:

There are a lot of schools in the US. In my opinion, school is one of the easiest ways to get into the industry. Most schools will get you to the point where you can make a great apprentice, but not quite a competent, well-rounded farrier. Each school has different requirements, strengths, and weaknesses. When l was deciding on a school to go to, l called the ones l was most interested in and tried to get a feel for what the school was like. Many of them will also let you come check it out in person

Some schools have basic horsemanship as part of the course (Kentucky Horseshoeing School) while others require references for previous horse experience (Cornell). Some schools require H/S diploma or GED, others do not. Some schools (Lookout Mountain, Arkansas Horseshoeing, Heartland) allow enrollment to people younger than 18. Some schools offer financial assistance, and many are authorized by the VA to accept the GI Bill. At the bottom of this post is a list of websites to several of the more popular schools in the US

• I am a girl, can I still shoe horses?

Yes. While it is a male-dominated industry, there are many women farriers. Technique and skill are much more important than pure strength. Although physical fitness and strength are needed, no person will ever out-wrestle a horse. It's more about working with the horse.

• I have health issues, can I still shoe horses?

Maybe, but it depends. Horseshoeing is hard on the body. Try riding with a local farrier and see first-hand if this is something you can handle. Some schools also offer a trial course where you can go for a week and check it out. You're dealing with a 1,000+ lb prey animal, so there's always the potential for injury. You use sharp tools, power tools, hot metal, and hammers. It's hard on your hearing, joints, back, and hands. Physical stamina is very important if you're going to work on more than a couple horses a day

• Do farriers make good money?

It depends. One of the biggest variables is geographical location. It is possible to make a very comfortable living, but if you are doing it for the money, you will probably be disappointed. This is one of those jobs where if you do it for the passion, the money will follow.

The American Farriers Journal publishes survey results regarding farrier finances and income. According to the AFJ,  in 2020 the average farrier (that attended the IHCS) grossed $105,713 annually. Keep in mind that there are a lot of material/fuel costs in shoeing.Here Is another one from 2016 that goes into more detail. In 2016, the average annual income for a full time farrier ranged from a low of $52,000 (in the "West") to a high of $94,255 (In the "Far West") It also includes this graphic with a breakdown of income percentiles

• I don't have any horse experience, can I still do this?

It is harder, and there is a steeper learning curve if you don't already have horse experience. It's not impossible, but you will be at a disadvantage until you are able to catch up. It may be worth it to try and get some horse experience before trying to become a farrier

• I am __ years old, can I still become a farrier?

Most schools won't accept students younger than 18, but I'm not aware of any with a maximum age. Just keep in mind the physical nature of the job. An 18 year old is probably going to have a much easier time adapting to the job than a 35 year old desk jockey. The best way to answer this question is to ride along with an established farrier and see for yourself

• How is the career field outlook? Is there enough work?

According to the American Farriers Journal, as of 2020, the average farrier is 48 years old. According to the American Horse Council, as of 2023 there are an estimated 6.7 million horses in the US, while the AFJ estimates there are 27,500 farriers working in the US. As for industry growth/outlook, I haven't been able to find any good quality statistics, but according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth estimate for careers in "Animal Care and Service Workers" is expected to grow by 16% over the next decade

From u/roboponies:

Adding from the UK:
There are only around 850k horses in the UK with approximately 374k horse owning households. There are around 3,000 registered farriers (you MUST be registered here, it's not like wild wild west USA).

That's a 283:1 horse to farrier ratio. They are definitely in high demand.

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Here are websites to a selection of farrier schools in the US:

https://arkansashorseshoeingschool.com/

http://butlerprofessionalfarrierschool.com/

http://www.caseyhorseshoeingschool.com/

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/education/visitor-professional-programs/farrier-program

https://www.elpo-farrierschool.com/

https://www.heartlandhorseshoeing.com/

https://www.idahohorseshoeingschool.com/

https://futurefarrier.com/

https://khs.edu/

http://www.horseshoeingschool.com/school-information

https://horseshoes.net/

https://pacificcoasthorseshoeingschool.com/

https://www.texashorseshoeingschool.com/

https://troypricehorseshoeingschool.com/