What a typical day can look like
A general picture, not one person. Real days vary by employer, season and place.
What does a farrier do all day?
A farrier trims hooves, shapes steel or other shoes, fits them and attaches them to the horse. The work also includes evaluating how a horse moves, noticing hoof problems early and working with veterinarians on cases like lameness.
Most farriers run their own small business and travel from barn to barn. That means scheduling clients, buying supplies, keeping a truck and portable equipment in order, and finishing work on a tight timeline around each horse's patience.
- Trimming and balancing hooves
- Forging and fitting shoes
- Working with owners, trainers and vets
How do people learn farrier skills?
Many farriers learn through a mix of farrier school and an apprenticeship with an experienced professional. Schools differ in length and teaching style, and some programs are short while others are more extensive. Because quality varies, ask graduates how prepared they felt and whether the school helps with placement.
There is no single national rule for how farriers are trained, and state rules differ. Check your state's requirements and look at the DOL apprenticeship site to see whether any registered programs exist near you.
Most beginners also underestimate the business side. Farriers carry their own insurance, track mileage and supplies, and negotiate schedules with trainers who all want the same morning slot. A few months of observation will show you how much of the day is planning rather than hammering.
What is the physical side of the job like?
Farriery is hard on the body. Farriers spend hours bent over, holding a horse's leg, working near heat and noise, and handling tools that can cut or burn. Back, knee and hand strain are well known in the trade.
Safety training matters, along with good handling skills, proper equipment and the support of an experienced mentor. Never try shoeing or heavy trimming on your own without supervision. Ask working farriers how they protect their bodies and what they do to stay in the business for decades.
Hoof care also depends on the horse's age, breed, discipline and footing, so no two jobs are identical. Learning to ask the owner about workload and history before touching a hoof is a habit that separates careful farriers from careless ones.
How can a teenager explore the trade?
Start by watching. Ask a local farrier if you may observe on a job, understanding that many will say no if a barn has insurance or safety rules. Offer to help hold a horse or carry supplies if allowed, and show up on time every time.
Build horse handling skills through a lesson barn, a 4-H horse project or work at a stable. Metalworking, welding or shop classes at school are useful too, since forging and shaping depend on similar habits.
- Take a shop or welding class if offered
- Learn to read a horse's body language
- Keep a notebook of what you see and ask
How does a farrier build a business?
New farriers usually start with a few regular clients and grow by word of mouth. Reliability matters as much as skill: showing up, communicating clearly and keeping horses sound. Business skills such as pricing, record keeping and insurance matter, so a basic business class helps.
For current pay and outlook, check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and talk to several farriers, since earnings vary with region, client base and how many horses you can safely handle.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Beginners sometimes buy a lot of expensive gear before they know the trade. Others skip the mentorship stage and learn bad habits that are hard to undo. Choose teachers who encourage questions and treat horses calmly.
Also ask about long-term plans. Some farriers shift into teaching, supply sales or working alongside veterinary hospitals as their bodies change. Having options makes the trade easier to sustain.
Can you keep working in this trade for a long career?
Many farriers work into their fifties and beyond, but longevity takes planning. Good body mechanics, tool choices, stretching, reasonable client loads and rest all matter, and experienced farriers will tell you they wish they had learned that sooner.
Some farriers eventually add teaching, mentoring new farriers, supplying tools and shoes, or partnering with equine hospitals on corrective work. Think about the long arc now and ask people who have been in the trade a long time what they would change. A career is a marathon, and the farriers who last tend to treat their bodies as their most important tool.
Your next steps
- Farriers trim and shoe hooves and often run small businesses.
- Training usually combines schooling with an apprenticeship under a skilled farrier.
- The work is physically hard, so safety habits and mentors matter.
- Check your state and the BLS handbook for current rules and outlook.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Ag Jobs & Careers Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.