How to become a farrier
There's no single required license to shoe horses in the United States, but the farriers who last are well-trained. Most come up through a mix of formal schooling, apprenticeship, and — often — voluntary certification.
Meet Shoein' — the farrier's app →The usual path
- Horseshoeing school. Programs run from a few weeks to nearly a year, covering anatomy, trimming, forging, and shoeing under supervision.
- Apprenticeship. Working under an established farrier is where most of the real learning happens — reading feet, handling horses, and building speed.
- Certification (optional but valued). In the U.S., groups like the American Farrier's Association offer voluntary certifications that signal skill to clients and barns.
What the work actually demands
Farriery is physical, skilled trade work: you're on your feet, bent under horses, in all weather, reading each foot and shaping to it. Good horsemanship matters as much as forge skill — you're working with a thousand-pound animal.
It's also a small business. The moment you go out on your own, you're scheduling, pricing, driving routes, and keeping a book of clients — so it pays to get organized early.
Frequently asked
Do you need a license to be a farrier in the US?
There's no federal or state license required to shoe horses in the United States. Certification through organizations like the American Farrier's Association is voluntary but widely respected. (Note: other countries such as the UK do legally regulate farriery.)
How long does it take to become a farrier?
Formal schooling ranges from a few weeks to close to a year, but building real competence usually takes an apprenticeship and a year or more of hands-on work beyond school.
Is farriery hard on your body?
It's demanding, physical work — plan for good technique, fitness, and gear to protect your back and joints over a long career.
Keep your whole book in your pocket
Shoein' keeps every client and horse in one place — addresses on a map, one-tap call and directions, and a due badge so you never miss a cycle.
See Shoein' →Built for farriers · Coming soon to iOS & Android
More farrier guides
This page is general information for farriers and horse owners, not veterinary advice. Every horse is different — for a specific animal, rely on your own farrier and veterinarian.