What Is a Farrier?

Horseshoeing

Horseshoeing is one of the oldest trades in the world, and one of the ancient blacksmith's primary jobs. The blacksmith used his anvil and forge to create many items made of steel. He heated the steel in the forge, primarily coal or organic fueled, then forged and shaped it on the anvil to create the sword, wagon wheel, or horseshoe. Today, the modern blacksmith performs primarily artistic pieces like gates, chandeliers, statues and the like. The Farrier now performs the trade of horseshoeing.

What is a farrier?

The farrier is a professional who makes a living putting horseshoes on horses. Today he is educated in a school that teaches him all of the anatomy surrounding the hoof, from horse conformation to subtle diseases affecting the hoof. In school and apprenticeship, he learns how to put horse shoes on, and how to treat most ailments of the horses hoof. Just a few decades ago, there were no horse shoeing schools, and the horse-shoer (farrier) came from a farm, or was an apprentice for a journeyman farrier so he could learn the trade. Many equine veterinarian firms have a practicing farrier on staff or referral because many farriers have a detailed knowledge of the horses hoof since that is their focus.

What are Farrier Supplies or Farrier Tools?

The tools of his trade: called farrier supplies, includes the following: an anvil, hammer, forge, tongs, hoof knife, rasp, hoof nippers and hoof stand, a nail clincher and clinch block, and a variety of other related farrier tools. The farrier uses his hoof stand to hold the horses leg and hoof upright, then he removes the old horseshoes, and using his hoof nipper and hoof knife he trims the hoof, then makes it smooth with his rasp. He then attaches the horse shoes to the hoof with special horseshoe nails. He must be careful when trimming the hoof, because it is similar to trimming your fingernails-there is a comfortable level of trimming, and then you can trim too deep and cause injury.

Professional farriers know how to correct the horses balance in walking with just the trimming of the hoof. Many times hoof coatings and hoof hardeners or other hoof care products are used to treat ailments of the frog, white line disease, quarter crack, or laminitis...all horse hoof ailments. To find out more visit the link in our resource area below.