The differences between veterinarian and farrier educations are great and can be an underlying cause of conflict. Issues like utilizing different terminology for processes and actions can generate inconsistency and misunderstandings

This article outlines the initial education and continuing education of your farrier colleagues to provide a clearer understanding of their backgrounds.

Becoming A Farrier

Although becoming a veterinarian has a consistent and regulated process among the veterinary colleges and state licensing boards, the same can’t be said about farriery.

Looking at their education, there is no “one way” to gain the knowledge and skill to become a farrier. Farriery used to be a trade passed down from master to apprentice, often within a family. Although legacy training still exists, there have been changes in training.

There are dozens of farrier schools throughout the United States.  Some are affiliated with universities, such as Montana State University and Cornell University, while other schools are private institutions operated by an individual or team, such as Heartland Horseshoeing School in Missouri, Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in California and Five-Star Horseshoeing School in Oklahoma. 

There is no regulatory body that cohesively oversees these schools. The standards are left to the individual institutions. Very few offer financial aid options. Programs can vary in length…