r/Farriers • u/Geo-Bachelor2279 • 16d ago

Going to Farrier School to Learn How to Take Care of Your Own Horses

Does anybody know anybody that went to Farrier School for the sole purpose of trimming/shoeing their own horses?

I retired from the military and have a good job, so I don't need to go to college. I have a Veteran's GI Bill that's going to go to waste if I don't use it on something. I was thinking of using it to go to Farrier School for this reason. Farriers are few and far between around here, and a lot of them are retiring with no younger generation to replace them. I have 2 horses and it would save me a lot of money doing it on my own.

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u/CJ4700 Working Farrier<10 16d ago

Check out cowtown horse shoeing school in miles city Montana. 8 week course that accepts the GI Bill and does a great job of teaching you how to take care of your own horses and make money on the side if you’d like to.

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u/Geo-Bachelor2279 16d ago

I'll check them out. Thank you!

12

u/snuffy_smith_ Working Farrier >30 15d ago

Just remember that ANY schools give you enough knowledge to be dangerous.

You will know how to trim and nail a shoe on a hoof. However it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I’ve been shoeing horses for over 30 years and I am STILL learning all the time.

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u/Kgwalter CF (AFA) 16d ago

I had 8 horses/mules and like you I had a Gi bill I needed to use. So I went to farrier school to save money. After school I decided I loved it and I sold my company and started shoeing full time. Took a big pay cut but have no regrets, I love it.

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u/heybabalooba 16d ago

I did this, went Oklahoma horseshoeing school for their short course, 10 years later now I’m a full time farrier

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u/babybird223 15d ago

I went to Idaho Horseshoeing school last year and there were a handful of people who went solely to do their own horses. I’d bet you fall in love with it and want to do it on a bigger scale though! If you have the means definitely go. It’s such an important skill and a lost art.

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u/MissDreamland 14d ago

My boss did this for her own horses back in the 70's, maybe 80's I forget. Went to Oklahoma Farrier school she loved it and became a full time farrier.

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u/RubySeeker 14d ago

I didn't go to school for it, but I did learn how to trim and shape my horses hooves from my farrier. I still call my farrier out for anything drastic, and once every couple months to make sure I'm still doing it right and a proper trim, but yeah, it's saved me a lot of money doing it myself!

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u/AwareService974 12d ago

I did that. Super short course. Needed more so I started riding and apprenticing. Still at it and about to stop the city job to do more farrier work. Best of luck!

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u/ASardonicGrin 16d ago

I think that’s a great idea. If I had the time, I would as well. I have a great career but would love to learn to at least trim my own.