Farrier Pat Broadus shaping a shoe at a stall jack.
Tools are an important expense for farriers. It’s important to understand how much they cost, the frequency they must be replaced and how to care and maintain them for longer life.

Your Costs Help Determine the Prices You Set

This article was originally published July 27, 2018 and has been updated.


Pictured Above: Tools are an important expense for farriers. It’s important to understand how much they cost, the frequency they must be replaced and how to care and maintain them for longer life.

Farrier Takeaways

  • To determine the cost per horse for your practice, you must be thorough and honest with your evaluation.
  • There is little value in comparing your costs to another practice because of the variables that differentiate each farrier’s business.

There are differences in how every farrier approaches his or her business. Still, the most common and effective way to manage the finances of a farrier business remains knowing what it costs to shoe a horse.

The differences come out in the individuality of a practice. Not everyone works with the same types of horses. Some farriers may have more trims than shoeings — maybe no shoeings at all. Your location will greatly influence what you can charge clients, as well as many of your expenses. There are several more variables that differentiate farrier income and expenses.

Like other farriers, Pat Broadus uses this evaluation. His shoeing practice is based in Shelbyville, Ky., focusing on the hoof-care needs of racehorses, Thoroughbreds on the farm and sport horses.

Broadus says it’s important to take a thorough look at a practice and be honest about what different elements affect it. This includes evaluating your cost per horse.

The Evaluation

The chart on the next page references the costs measured in Broadus’ practice, based on a 6-year average. Pat Broadus…

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Jeremy mcgovern

Jeremy McGovern

Jeremy McGovern is the former Executive Editor/Publisher of American Farriers Journal.

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