1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Farrier

Farrier

Alternative titles for this job include

Farriers make and fit horseshoes and care for horses' hooves.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 48 variable

You could work

as a contractor / self-employed as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Farrier

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an approved apprenticeship
  • training with the army

College

You could take a Level 2 Access to Farriery course at college that will give you some of the skills and knowledge to apply to be an apprentice farrier.

This takes 12 months to complete.

Entry requirements

Most people following this route have:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this work by doing an advanced apprenticeship in farriery with an approved training farrier.

This takes 48 months to complete and includes training on the job and periods of study at a college approved by the Farriers Registration Council.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • City and Guilds Forgework Certificate

More Information

Other Routes

You could join the army as a soldier with the Household Cavalry.

After 2 years as a mounted ceremonial trooper, you'll be eligible to apply for the Forge within the regiment and join a team of farriers.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You'll find more details about training and working as a farrier from the Farriers Registration Council and the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a farrier you'll:

  • talk to the horse owner about what work is required
  • check the horse's legs, feet and hooves for problems
  • cut away excess hoof growth and make sure the horse is properly balanced
  • choose suitable shoes for the horse's size, foot condition and type of activity
  • make horseshoes by hand or on a machine
  • shape shoes, using a hammer and anvil
  • fit horseshoes
  • make final checks to finish

Working environment

You could work at a client's business, at a riding stable or on a farm.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you may be able to take higher level qualifications, for example a Diploma in Higher Education or a degree in farriery.

You may be able to work with larger stables, horse breeders or mounted regiments in the police or army.

You could also work in equine hospitals, with vets or in the farriery suppliers business.

You could become an Approved Training Farrier (ATF) and employ and train apprentice farriers.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Farrier right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a Farrier?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.