National Farriers Week is a dedicated time for horse owners to express appreciation for the farriers who keep their horses sound. It is also a good time for horse owners to learn what constitutes good farrier work. Horse owners who don’t know what constitutes good hoof care are at a disadvantage when it comes to providing optimal humane care.

Good farriers not only care for horses’ hoof care needs, but also patiently educate horse owners. Farriers who are passionate about their craft will constantly be learning about it and striving to improve. They will never be content that a job is “good enough.” Horse owners should easily be able to discern the difference between a farrier who takes pride in his or her work, wanting to share the “why” of the work and a farrier who is simply coasting from one job to the next, hoping no one will ask questions. If a horse owner has to ask if his or her farrier is in the “passionate” category, the farrier probably isn’t.

Farriers do exacting work. They must precisely trim hooves and apply shoes to keep horses in balance. To do this, they must know the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of the feet and how it will affect the horse as a whole. Add to this an understanding of metalwork, forging, shoe shaping, horsemanship, business skill and human psychology, and the farrier possesses a very specific skill set! There is a lot to learn and a lot to apply in each situation. Most farriers are striving to learn more about all of these skill areas to be better service providers.

Our mission is to prepare future farriers to succeed in business and in life. We teach the essential techniques needed for success. The majority of our graduates are self-employed and make a good living trimming and shoeing horses. We have had students from all over the world. Many have returned several times to continually increase the level of their skill so that they may better serve their clients.

Our motivation is to provide a better life for each horse. We teach the essential techniques needed for success in business. We want our students to be successful. Their success is our success. Satisfied customers are our best advertisement.

During this National Farrier’s Week, be sure to thank your farrier for his or her hard, dedicated work to ensure that your horse is sound and happy. For most farriers seeing a healthy, happy horse is thanks enough, but sincere gratitude from a horse owner validates the farrier’s efforts to improve a horse’s comfort.