Farrier
Trim horses' hooves and make and fit horseshoes by hand at the forge. A skilled, registered trade reached through a long approved apprenticeship.
- SalaryNo official figure
- Hours40 to 48 hours a week (variable), often self-employed and working as customers need
- Working for yourselfSelf-employment is common
What the job is like
Farriers combine blacksmithing with animal care. You check a horse's legs and feet, trim and balance the hooves, then shape and fit shoes that suit the horse and the work it does, from working horses to racehorses.
It is a regulated trade: anyone who shoes horses in Great Britain must be registered with the Farriers Registration Council. The route in is a Farrier Level 3 apprenticeship with an approved training farrier, which takes several years. Many farriers work as self-employed contractors, visiting yards, stables and farms.
What you'll do
- Talk to owners about what each horse needs
- Check legs, feet and hooves for problems
- Trim hoof growth and make sure the horse stands balanced
- Choose the right shoe for the horse's size, feet and activity
- Make shoes by hand or machine and shape them with hammer and anvil
- Fit shoes and make final checks
- Keep records of each job and hoof care plans
Where you'll work
- Outdoors
- On your own
Skills and hobbies that help
Weighted by how much they matter in this job, from the official job profile's skills and tasks. Tap one to see other careers that use it.
Key skills
Used a lot
Hobbies that give you a head start
How to become a farrier
Apprenticeship
Farrier Level 3 apprenticeship with an Approved Training Farrier, with college study at a college approved by the Farriers Registration Council; the National Careers Service says it takes around 4 years
College
A 1-year farriery access course at one of a small number of colleges, preparing you to apply for an apprenticeship
Other ways in
Army route: after 2 years as a mounted ceremonial trooper in the Household Cavalry you can apply to join its farrier team
Qualifications, licences and cards
- Registration with the Farriers Registration Council; anyone who shoes horses in Great Britain must be registered under the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975
- In Great Britain, qualifying for registration means completing an apprenticeship and passing the end-point assessment
Where it can lead
- Higher education qualifications in farriery
- Work with large stables, breeders, or mounted police and army units
- Equine hospitals, working with vets, or the farriery supplies trade
- Becoming an Approved Training Farrier and taking on your own apprentices
Good to know
- The National Careers Service does not give a salary figure because farriers' earnings vary so much; many are self-employed
- Apprenticeship entry usually needs 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 including English, maths and science
- Expect physical work outdoors in all weathers and some nights away
Courses and training
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Apprenticeship search
Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
The official GOV.UK service for searching and applying for apprenticeship vacancies in England.
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Course search
Find a course – National Careers Service
The National Careers Service search for college and training provider courses in England, including Skills Bootcamps.
Official information
Sources
We checked these pages in September 2026. Rules, pay and courses change, so always confirm with the official source.
- National Careers Service: Farrier nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/farrier
- Skills England apprenticeship: Farrier (Level 3) skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0172-v1-6
- Farriers Registration Council: becoming a farrier farrier-reg.gov.uk/becoming-a-farrier