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How to Become a Farrier — Salary, Training & Licensing

One of the world's oldest skilled trades — and one that absolutely cannot be done by a machine, because every horse is different and every hoof tells a story.

98% High Demand
$35K–$90K
Salary Range
Moderate
Demand
+5%
Job Growth
℞ Prescribed by data · BLS · WEF · McKinsey

Farrier Apprenticeship & Training in Oregon

Licensing & Requirements
Oregon does not require a state license for farriers. No mandatory certification. AFA certifications are voluntary but recommended. Business license required. Oregon has a diverse equine population — ranch horses, sport horses, and recreational riders.
Training Programs
Farrier schools: Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School (CA — nearby). On-the-job apprenticeship with experienced farriers is the primary pathway. Oregon's ranching and equestrian culture provides steady demand. AFA and BWFA certifications available.
Average Salary
$30K–$40K (apprentice); $42K–$60K (certified farrier); $60K–$90K+ (master farrier/specialist)
Top Employers
Independent farrier practice, horse ranches, equestrian centers, veterinary equine clinics, Portland area horse communities, Central Oregon ranch operations, rodeo circuits, therapeutic riding programs.

Career Overview

Is this career right for you?

✓You love horses and are comfortable working closely with large animals
✓You're physically strong and enjoy hard manual labor
✓You're interested in blacksmithing, metalwork, and forging
✓You have patience and a calm demeanor under pressure
✓You want to work outdoors and independently, setting your own schedule
✓You're fascinated by anatomy, biomechanics, and animal health

Your Roadmap

1

Build Your Foundation with HorsesAges 14–17

  • Spend time around horses — volunteer at stables, ranches, or rescue organizations
  • Learn basic horse handling, behavior, and safety
  • Study equine anatomy, especially leg and hoof structure
  • Watch farriers work and ask questions about the trade
  • Build upper body and core strength — farrier work is extremely physical
2

Attend Farrier SchoolAges 17–19

  • Enroll in an accredited farrier school (programs are typically 8–16 weeks intensive)
  • Learn forge work: shaping, bending, and fitting horseshoes from steel stock
  • Master trimming: rasping, nipping, and balancing hooves
  • Study corrective and therapeutic shoeing for lameness issues
  • Top schools: Oklahoma Horseshoeing School, Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School, Cornell, Heartland Horseshoeing School
3

Apprentice Under an Experienced FarrierAges 19–21

  • Work alongside a journeyman or master farrier for 1–2 years
  • Build speed and confidence — a working farrier shoes 6–10+ horses per day
  • Learn to read each horse's unique conformation and movement patterns
  • Handle different breeds: racehorses, draft horses, show horses, trail horses
  • Develop your client communication and scheduling skills
4

Get Certified and Go IndependentAges 21–24

  • Pursue AFA (American Farrier's Association) Certified Farrier designation
  • Or pursue CJF (Certified Journeyman Farrier) for advanced standing
  • Invest in your own forge, anvil, tools, and truck setup
  • Build your client list through referrals from vets, trainers, and stables
  • Set your pricing and service area — most farriers work within a 50-mile radius
5

Develop Advanced SpecializationsAges 24–28

  • Study therapeutic/corrective farriery for laminitis, navicular, and founder cases
  • Work with equine veterinarians on complex lameness cases
  • Learn specialty shoes: racing plates, bar shoes, heart-bar shoes, glue-on shoes
  • Attend AFA conventions and continuing education clinics
  • Consider competing in farrier competitions to sharpen skills and build reputation
6

Master the TradeAges 28+

  • Pursue AFA Certified Tradesman Farrier (CTF) — the highest AFA designation
  • Mentor apprentices and teach at farrier clinics
  • Serve elite clientele: racetracks, Olympic equestrians, breeding farms
  • Write or contribute to farrier industry publications
  • Build a legacy practice with a loyal client base spanning decades

Schools & Professional Organizations

Oklahoma Horseshoeing School
One of the most respected farrier schools in North America, offering intensive hands-on programs with live horses.
Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School
California-based farrier school with comprehensive programs covering forge work, trimming, and corrective shoeing.
American Farrier's Association (AFA)
The primary professional organization offering certification (CF, CJF, CTF) and continuing education.
Heartland Horseshoeing School
Missouri-based school offering AFA-endorsed farrier education with strong apprenticeship placement.
Brotherhood of Working Farriers (BWFA)
Organization offering certification, testing, and professional development for working farriers.

Farrier school programs are short (8–16 weeks) and affordable compared to college, but the apprenticeship period is critical — plan for 1–2 years of mentored work before going fully independent.

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Salary Breakdown

Farrier School Student$0 (investment: $5K–$15K tuition)2–4 months
Apprentice Farrier$25K–$40KYear 1–2
Certified Farrier (Independent)$45K–$70KYear 2–5
Master/Specialist Farrier$70K–$120K+Year 5+

vs. College

Farrier school costs $5K–$15K and takes 2–4 months. Within 2–3 years, a working farrier is earning $50K–$70K with no debt, while college graduates are still paying off $35K+ in loans. Top farriers at racetracks and elite barns earn $100K+ and are in constant demand.

The Real Talk

The Good

  • Extremely high demand — horses always need hoof care every 4–8 weeks
  • Complete independence: set your own schedule, prices, and service area
  • Short, affordable training (weeks, not years) before you start earning
  • Deep, meaningful work with animals that depend on your skill
  • No office politics — just you, your tools, and the horses
  • Virtually recession-proof: horse owners prioritize hoof care even in downturns

The Hard Parts

  • One of the most physically demanding trades — bent over under 1,000-lb animals
  • Risk of kicks, bites, and being stepped on by horses
  • Working outdoors in all weather: heat, cold, rain, mud
  • Hard on the body long-term — back, knees, and shoulders take a beating
  • Income can be inconsistent in areas with fewer horse owners

Is It Worth It?

Farriery is one of the most unique and rewarding trades you can learn. There are approximately 9 million horses in the US, and every single one needs a farrier every 4–8 weeks — that's guaranteed recurring demand. The work is deeply skilled, combining blacksmithing artistry with equine anatomy and biomechanics. Yes, it's physically brutal — but farriers who build strong client bases earn excellent money, enjoy complete independence, and do work that genuinely matters for the animals they serve. If you love horses and don't mind hard physical labor, this is one of the most satisfying careers on earth.

A Career Is Just One Part of Your Story

The best careers don't just pay well — they give you freedom, purpose, and time for the people and things you love. Choose a path that makes your whole life better, not just your resume.

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