Picking the Right Farrier
Make sure all potential farriers are certified by the American Farrier’s Association. The AFA certification process involves passing written and practical testing to ensure that every farrier has the ability to provide a high standard of hoof care. Shoeing and hoof care is a constantly growing and changing field, so your farriers should be invested in continuing to learn and improve their work. Farriers with certifications from the AFA and years of experience are great candidates for picking the right farrier for your horse.
Your farrier should be familiar with the breed of your horse and have experience working with horses in your same riding discipline. Some farriers specialize in English or Western events or are experts in specific horse breeds. Having a farrier that understands the physical demands of your sport can create comfort and trust in your farrier with your horse. Potential farriers should have experience providing hoof care for horses in the same breed and sport.
Farriers should have a unique approach to shoeing for each horse because no horse is the same. Therefore, farriers need to examine your horse and horse’s movements before trimming and shoeing your horse for the first time.
Talk to potential farriers about their services and availability as well as whether or not they offer emergency services. Communicating to not only the farrier, but also your trainer about your needs and preferences is crucial to understanding the best options for your horse and overall providing the best care for you horse.