One of the most intimidating things facing you at the beginning of your career is the realization of how little you actually know about hoof care. Mistakes will happen, but you must be wiling to learn from them.

Members of the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame are some of the most highly regarded farriers in the world. Here they have identified some problems to avoid, so you don’t need the costly lesson later in life. 

Set A Standard For Yourself

I started shoeing horses before I actually knew enough to be shoeing horses. With the full-blown wisdom that comes with being 18, I hung out a shingle. Like many young cowboys, I learned a little from growing up on a ranch, and then I went to a shoeing school with such a low standard that I ended up thinking that I knew more than I did. 

There is a lot of damage that can be done to a horse through ignorance, and unfortunately, ignorance is rampant. Had I continued along the lines of my humble beginnings, I would probably not have enough business today to be making a living shoeing. If you learn to do a great job shoeing a horse, and then make that what you do every time you shoe a horse, the rest of the business will fall into place.

To correct this, I went to my first farrier event — a contest — and saw what someone with real skill and talent was capable of. Dean Pearson was the judge at this competition in Colorado in 1988. I could not believe the difference between what I was doing, and what some of the people there could do. 

I was determined to become as competent as I could. I did it the expensive way. Traveling across the country for every clinic, contest and certification I could find and afford to attend is much slower, harder and more expensive than going to a good school to begin with. However, it was the path I ended up taking. Exposure to some of the industry greats like Danny Ward, Jim Keith, Frank Turley and Bob Marshall is what ended up making my career.

— Chris Gregory,

Heartland Horseshoeing School, Lamar, Mo.

Find Mentors

When I look back at my career as a farrier, the biggest mistake I made was not seeking help from experienced mentors early in my professional life.

I started shoeing as a teenager in southern Minnesota. Experienced professional farriers were few and far between in the state, and we did not have one locally. I was too young for farrier school and they too were in short supply. I realized that I needed guidance and sought out help wherever I could find it. 

In retrospect, I was not zealous enough about furthering my education. When I decided I would specialize in hunters and jumpers, I should have been more proactive, seeking out the top farriers in the industry and traveling to learn from them.

My epiphany came in 1975 when internationally known jumper rider Bernie Traurig married one of my clients and moved to Wisconsin. When he brought his farrier, George Fitzgerald, in to shoe his show horses, I was finally exposed to the highest quality shoeing of sport horses. 

At this same time, the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla., was in its infancy and growing. I made the decision to go to Florida to see the best farriers in the nation at work. In Florida, I met Seamus Brady and numerous others who were very generous with their time and knowledge. This exposure is what ultimately gave my career the boost it needed.

My advice to young farriers is to pick a specialty and then seek out the best farriers in the country to mentor you. Do this as early in your career as possible because the clock is ticking. It is a waste of time to be doing inferior work early in your career when better education is available.     

— Red Renchin,

Mequon, Wis.

Be Yourself

Shortly after graduating from horseshoeing school, I moved from northeast, urban Massachusetts to rural Florida. I wanted to fit in and be accepted. My brother-in-law told me to try different gimmicks like wearing a cowboy hat.  

Maybe that would have helped, but up until then I’d only ridden English and didn’t feel comfortable playing a part. I just didn’t want to stick out too much. I was long haired in college and got a haircut before horseshoeing school. My hair was touching my ears, no longer than the cops in Massachusetts. In Florida, the cowboys mostly called me “hippie” and didn’t accept me very well. 

After about a year of this I just said “Fine, if you think I’m a hippie, I might as well grow my long hair back.”  I did that and found that I was much more accepted. 

The lesson here is be yourself. Be prompt, professional and courteous. When you be yourself, those that matter won’t mind, while those that mind don’t matter.

— Henry Heymering, 

Frederick, Md.

Avoid Burnout

The most difficult word for a farrier, especially one new to the trade, to learn is “no.” Saying no is your recognition that you have taken on too much work. 

Looking back, there were times that I worked myself to exhaustion, which I now find ridiculous. 

If you start encountering personal problems because of your work schedule, don’t blame the job. Horseshoeing is always going to be what it is, the job is what you put into it.

It’s awful hard to say no to somebody that’s waving money in front of your face. It’s hard to do it, but I would sure advise people to not take on more work than they can physically and mentally handle. 

It gets to a point that even if you love this trade, I’ll guarantee you what, you can sour on it if you overburden yourself.

 There are three types of horseshoer: needy, greedy and speedy. To just be greedy and figure that you have to make every dollar that there is in the world is nuts. 

You’ll find that the money isn’t the most important thing for your family. Time spent together is worth more than all the money in the world. It took me a lifetime to learn that.

Don’t neglect your personal life. Place it all in perspective.

I think I made a god out of shoeing because that was what drove me and what I thought I was placed on this Earth to do. There are other things. You’ve got to get away from just shoeing horses every day of the week.

I found antique cars as an interest outside of shoeing. You know why this is a hobby for a farrier? Because that’s what almost put the horseshoers out of business.

— Bill Miller, 

Rochester, Wash.

Watch What You Spend

There is a serious hazard for today’s farriers: don’t overextend yourself on a shoeing rig or home that you can’t afford in the long run. Ignoring finances leads you to become debt ridden, so try to do everything in moderation.

Debt hurts you when you have unexpected expenses. Be prepared for that. 

A lot of shoers are suffering because they bought an unnecessarily big truck, for example. Then something else comes up. Then they’re really not successful because, like a dog chasing its tail, they can’t enjoy their work because they don’t have the money. Then they are wearing out, trying to catch up and they don’t have any kind of retirement situated.

— Lee Green, 

Yucaipa, Calif.