Typical Farrier has Spent Half His or Her Life as a Farrier

The typical full-time farrier is 48 years old and has worked in the business for 24 years. This includes 20 years working as a full-time farrier.

By comparison, the typical part-time farrier is 46 years old and has worked 18 years in the business, with 14 years spent as a part-time farrier.

— 2018 American Farriers Journal Farrier Benchmark Study

When Addressing the Frog, Most Farriers Tend to …

Options % of Farriers
Trim it correctly 12%
Over trim it 65%
Don't trim it enough 23%

— 2016 American Farriers Journal reader poll

Friday's Farrier Facts & Figures is brought to you by Markel Insurance.

Markel Corporation (NYSE – MKL) is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, and investment operations around the world. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and founded in 1930, Markel reports its ongoing underwriting operations in three segments, and products originate from four insurance divisions and one reinsurance division. Markel Ventures, a subsidiary that makes strategic investments in companies outside of the insurance marketplace, is another important component of our business.


In each of our businesses, we seek to deliver innovative products and responsive customer service so that we can be a market leader. Our time horizon is long-term, our underwriting approach is disciplined, and our focus is on continuously improving the quality of the customer experience. Our financial goals are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and to combine those profits with superior investment returns to build shareholder value.