How Many Farriers Are There In The United States?
Our best guess is around 28,000, including both full-time and part-time farriers. The U.S. Census Bureau does not collect occupation statistics in regard to farriers, so there are no official government figures.
Among American Farriers Journal readers, 80% indicate they are full-time farriers.
— 2016 American Farriers Journal Benchmark Study and staff estimates
How Did Last Year’s Footcare Business Income Compare With The Previous Year?
Some 62% of farriers indicated their business income increased in 2016 when compared with the previous year. Only 6% saw a drop in income while it stayed the same for 32% of the farriers.
—2017 International Hoof-Care Summit attendee survey
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.
