How to Learn Horseshoeing

Horseshoeing can be a rewarding and potentially lucrative career for the right person, but it is important to learn the craft the right way. Shoeing horses is something that simply cannot be taught in books--the most effective way to learn is by actually doing it. Learning from an experienced farrier will teach you what to do--and what not to do, while enrolling in a quality farrier training program will give you the credentials you need to get started in your new career.

Things You'll Need

  • Farrier tools
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Instructions

    • 1

      Talk to the person who shoes his own horses if you are a horse owner. Ask as many questions as you can think of about the day-to-day life of a farrier. Before you get started it is important to understand exactly what the job entails. Some farriers are dedicated to a particular facility, like a racetrack or a show stable, but the majority of farriers spend their days on the road, moving from place to place and client to client.

    • 2

      Ask the farriers you know about any internship and mentoring opportunities. Many times an experienced farrier will be willing to mentor a newcomer who is anxious to get started. You will still need to enroll in a farrier training program, but gaining a bit of hands-on experience will be very helpful.

    • 3

      Contact several farrier schools in your area and ask about tuition costs, class sizes and requirements. Also solicit recommendations from farriers you know--those actually in the business can often provide insights into the best type of training. Visit local horse facilities like training stables and racetracks and ask about any farrier training facilities in the area. The horse world is a fairly small and closed one, so you should be able to gain a great deal of information this way.

    • 4

      Enroll in the farrier training program you have chosen. Be sure to ask the representative from the school if you need to supply your own farrier tools or if they are included as part of the cost of tuition. Some schools will provide students with their own shoeing supplies, while others expect students to show up for class with everything they need to get started.