07/10/2019
Looking for a new farrier?
(Edited and updated from my post last year)
My suggestions...
1. Education- There are no education requirements in the US to practice hoof care. It is up to the horse owner to figure out who is qualified. Consider not only the basic trade school education available, but continued education. Schooling programs vary widely in their curriculum from 2 weeks to 2 years. A great farrier constantly evolves and grows through attending clinics, seminars, testing programs, reading, and mentorship. Ask a potential farrier about their ongoing education, what associations they are involved in, if they have credentials, who they have worked with....
2. Experience- "Knowledge is knowing what to do. Wisdom is knowing when to do it. Knowledge comes through education, wisdom comes from experience." You do not become a great farrier by doing a couple horses on weekends after a weekend course, but by handling thousands of hooves consistently and consistently expanding one's knowledge base. Beware the very confident person with limited experience. Nobel Prize winning published work by Dunning and Kruger show some education with limited experience lead to a bias in which a person has a mistakenly inflated confidence of one's own ability. "The more you know, the more you realize what you don't know."
3. Professionalism - Professionalism is often defined as the strict adherence to courtesy, honesty and responsibility when dealing with individuals or others in the business environment. This trait often includes a high level of excellence going above and beyond basic requirements. A true professional does not speak ill of competition to make themselves look better, treats their clients and horses as though they are of the utmost importance, and present themselves and their businesses professionally. A true professional present themselves and run their business in a professional manner.
4. Horsemanship - the farrier must be competent and courteous with all horses. They must be comfortable and confident working closely with these animals. Observe how the farrier interacts with the horse, if they ask gently to pick up a hoof, and how they handle an uncomfortable situation. The relationship can go from good to bad very quickly without these skills. You want a farrier who is genuinely interested in the horse's well being, for everyone’s health and safety.
5. Referrals - hoof care is very important for the horse. You do not want to take the decision on who cares for your horses hooves lightly. Ask your trusted veterinarian, trainer, or another trusted farrier who they suggest for your riding discipline and needs. Do some research on association websites. The association pages only list their current members, however. Many of the best farriers do not advertise, as they are plenty busy and have a full book. A referral from a trusted source can go a long way to squeezing in on a farrier's full schedule.
6. Cost - Do not be stuck on cost comparing alone. Anyone can be a farrier in the US, and no two are equal in skill sets and special skills or discipline knowledge. You are looking for a professional job at a fair price. There are no education requirements, no licensing, no certification needed, nor any rules governing farrier work. Interview prospective farriers, ask questions, and make an informed decision on more than cost alone. The most expensive doesn't necessarily mean they are the best, nor does cheap mean the worst.
"If you only consider the cost, make sure to consider the cost to the horse."
Shane Westman APF, Farrier
