A farrier is “a craftsman who trims and shoes horses’ hooves.” They clean, trim, and shoe equine animals such as horses, donkeys, mules, or ponies.
Let’s say a farrier charges $22 for a standard hoof trim with a $12 travel fee. If they can trim 3 horses in an hour, that’s $78 per hour. Subtracting all of the extra overhead costs leaves them with about $42 per hour.
Average Cost Breakdown for Farrier Services
Due to the nature of the work, most self-employed farriers travel to see their clients at their home stables. However, some large-scale equine operations may have their own dedicated in-house farriers, especially racing or breeding farms.
Different Types of Farriers
Becoming a farrier generally requires a high school diploma and an apprenticeship. Farriers are not legally required to be licensed to practice in the United States, but there are organizations that provide certifications for farriers:
Training and Education
A startup package of farrier tools and equipment can run upwards of $1,700 (or more). These include things like protective gear, hammers, rasps, nail pullers, hoof picks, and other special equipment.
Farrier Equipment and Tools