By Lynn Fleury CJF, AJFC

Most horse owners have found themselves in the position of needing a new farrier at some point in their life. Depending on where you live, finding a farrier can be a struggle, and keeping one coming back can be even harder. A decade working in the farrier industry has given me valuable insight into the problems that owners and farriers commonly face when trying to maintain a working relationship. I have put together a list of 10 quick tips to help owners form a great relationship with a professional farrier.

Finding a Farrier

1. Certifications — Because the farrier industry is not regulated in North America, there is a large disparity in the quality of work being done by farriers. When looking for a farrier, it can be difficult to know whether they’re providing an acceptable standard of work. Both Canada and the US have voluntary certifications for farriers who choose to become certified. When starting your search for a farrier, looking for one who has completed any level of certification is a great start. Although there are several excellent farriers who have never achieved certification, when you have no knowledge of a farrier’s skill level, certifications give you peace of mind that the farrier has been tested to meet a minimum standard.

Related: Barefoot vs. Shod Horses: Key Considerations for Equine Hoof Care

Example of a shoe display required to pass the forging portion of the AFA Certified Farrier Exam. Photo:Lynn Fleury

2. Farrier Associations — All farriers have the option to become a member of a local farrier association. These associations provide educational opportunities for their members, as well as publish information for horse owners on many farrier-related topics. Many of these associations will provide a list of farriers and their certification level for horse owners to search for a farrier in their area. These associations include the Western Canadian Farriers Association (WCFA), Ontario Farriers Association (OFA), Association des Maréchaux-Farrants du Quebec (AMFQ), and the American Farriers Association (AFA).

Related: A Farrier's Perspective - Safe Horses, Safe Spaces, and Farriers Today

Farrier associations provide educational opportunities such as hands-on clinics, lectures, and demonstrations. Photo: Chad Lausen

3. Farrier Competitions — Farrier competitions are another avenue that some farriers use to continue their education. These competitions allow farriers to showcase their work to highly qualified farriers and receive feedback on areas that need improvement. Similar to certification, competitions are not required to become a good farrier, but you can be sure that a farrier who competes is striving to become better and improve their skills.

Related: Healthy Hooves, Happy Horse

Farrier competitions are a great place for farriers to have their work judged by others and to work with other farriers to improve their skills. Photo: Rob Gormley

4. Communication of Expectations — There are almost as many styles of shoeing as there are types and disciplines of horses in the world. Different farriers will specialize in different styles, so it is important to find a farrier who matches your discipline and the type of horses you own. When speaking with a potential farrier, be honest about your horses, their lifestyle, and your riding goals.

5. Word of Mouth — The most common and arguably the best way to find a farrier is through word of mouth. Asking the horse people around you who they use as a farrier is an easy way to find a farrier who will match your needs. Even if the farrier does not have room in their schedule for your horses, most will have a list of qualified farriers who are accepting new clients and will be happy to pass that information along.

Keeping Your Farrier Coming Back

6. Provide a Clean, Safe Work Area — As a horse owner, you expect a high quality of work from your farrier, but there are several factors that affect the ability of a farrier to do a good job. A flat, well-lit work area out of the elements and free of clutter is a requirement. Farriers do understand that not everybody has access to a barn, but if weather conditions do not allow for a dry, mud-free work area it is reasonable to expect that your appointment will be rescheduled. In regions where the weather can be bad for a large portion of the year, finding a barn to haul your horses to may be a better option if you are not able to provide a safe work area at home.

Related: Daily Hoof Care: A Vital Responsibility for Horse Owners

7. Well-Behaved Horses — One of the most common reasons a farrier will not return to a client is misbehaved or poor-standing horses. A horse that moves around, jerks a foot away or exhibits unsafe behaviour, such as kicking, is a huge danger to the farrier. These types of behaviour cause excess strain on the farrier’s body during what is already a physically demanding job. An injury can cause a farrier to lose income or even end their career. Training your horse to stand well and willingly pick up their feet is an essential skill for any horse owner. If a horse cannot be trained to allow their feet to be safely handled, sedation for hoof care may be the only safe option.

A horse should be expected to stand quietly without jerking feet away or moving excessively. Photo: Lynn Fleury

8. Staying on a Schedule — Different farriers run their scheduling in different ways, so it is important to ensure that you can work with your farrier to stay on schedule. Clients who are constantly rescheduling appointments at the last minute are a huge problem for farriers. Not only is it difficult to work the horses back into the schedule, but cancellations also affect the business’s bottom line. Though farriers do understand that occasionally an appointment will have to be rescheduled, it is important to find a farrier whose schedule works with your lifestyle to avoid last minute cancellations or rescheduling.

9. Pay Your Bills on Time — A major problem that will cause a farrier to remove a client from their schedule is not being paid in a timely manner. As a business owner, late payments severely affect a farrier’s ability to keep their business running and pay their own bills on time, and chasing down late payments is a huge time commitment. While each farrier may choose to handle billing differently, being paid on time should be expected of every client.

10. Communication — Communication between a horse owner and their farrier is a very important and often overlooked aspect of a client/farrier relationship. As a horse owner, you should feel comfortable speaking to your farrier and asking any questions you may have. If you are having issues with your horse, or have questions about their hoof care, the farrier should be your first source of information. There is a massive amount of misinformation floating around on the internet and among other horse people, so it is important to know that your farrier is a trusted source for professional and educated information.

At the end of the day, you as a horse owner are the one responsible for the health and well-being of your horse. By doing some research and finding a trusted professional to provide excellent hoof care, you will be setting your horse up for success and a long, healthy life. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and do your research to ensure your horse is receiving the best care possible.

Related: The Essential Role of Farriers in Hoof Care: Why Certification Matters

Related: The Blame Game in Hoof Care

Main Photo: Clix Photography