What equipment do you really need to start earning a living as a farrier? Three highly successful farriers with insight into the tool industry offer their thoughts.

If you’ve learned fundamental hoof-care techniques, you’ve already made the most important acquisition, according to Dan Bradley.

“Knowledge and education are the first tools for a farrier,” says Bradley, a member of the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame and a representative for GE Forge & Tool of Grover Beach, Calif.

As for hardware, Bradley says, “To go out and shoe a horse, you basically just need an anvil, a rounding hammer, a knife, a nipper or some kind of cutting tool, some nails and a driving hammer. That’s about it.”

But he also recommends a forge, fire tongs and flooring tools such as rasps and pull-offs.

“That’s what new farriers need,” he says. “They don’t need grinders and all the toys to start out with.”

Donald Jones, another member of the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame and the long-time owner of NC…