Thirty-Six-Week Career Track Course
Research in the field of vocational education has shown, that there is a direct correlation between the amount of time spent training in a formal educational situation and the level of success achieved by the individual trainee. More education = More success. Feedback we have received from former students, horse owners and practicing professional farriers, supports that notion. For this reason, we have developed the premier farrier training course available in America. This course includes classroom theory, hands-on practical training, and work-study, when combined, give the student the maximum chance for success as an entry-level farrier.
The 36-Week Career Track Farrier Course is Kentucky Horseshoeing School’s most advanced and comprehensive professional training program. Building upon the foundational skills introduced during the first 24 weeks, this performance-based curriculum is designed for students who want to develop a higher level of technical ability, deeper industry knowledge, and the confidence needed for long-term success as professional farriers.
Created for individuals seeking the most complete preparation before entering the profession, the program combines extensive hands-on training with advanced theory and practical application. Graduates leave with a broader, more refined skill set and a stronger foundation for building a successful and sustainable farrier career.
This program moves beyond fundamental farrier practices to provide in-depth training in advanced hoof care, therapeutic applications, performance horse shoeing, and modern farrier techniques. Students develop a strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, lameness, pathology, and equine locomotion, with an emphasis on analyzing movement, identifying biomechanical abnormalities, and applying corrective and therapeutic shoeing strategies.
A significant portion of the course focuses on advanced shoe fabrication and forging. Students learn to design, build, and modify shoes for remedial, therapeutic, and gait-altering applications while developing greater proficiency in forging, gas welding and brazing, MIG welding, and tool fabrication. Instruction also includes the use of modern farrier materials and technologies such as adhesives, urethanes, non-ferrous shoeing applications, synthetic materials, and contemporary therapeutic products increasingly utilized throughout the industry.
In addition to standard shoeing practices, students receive specialized instruction in breed-specific and sport-specific shoeing techniques tailored to the unique demands of various equine disciplines and breeds. Training emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to evaluate complex hoof and limb conditions and determine appropriate treatment and shoeing strategies for a wide range of horses.
Throughout the program, students learn to interpret radiographs and collaborate professionally with horse owners and veterinarians while formulating treatment plans. Emphasis is placed on clear communication, professionalism, public speaking, and developing strong farrier-veterinarian relationships that support positive outcomes for both horses and clients.
The expanded clinical and practical training hours provide students with substantially greater hands-on experience trimming, forging, fabricating, and shoeing horses under professional time standards. Students are expected to demonstrate increasing levels of precision, efficiency, consistency, and independent decision-making throughout the course.
Beyond technical instruction, the Career Track program includes comprehensive education in personal health and longevity within the trade, professionalism, client relations, and small business management. Topics include scheduling, pricing, record keeping, customer service, communication skills, and strategies for developing and maintaining a successful farrier practice. Career Services support is also available to students enrolled in this program.
Students enrolled in this course are responsible for completing assigned readings and homework. Each student is required to provide a laptop computer or comparable device, as portions of the coursework and assignments require computer use.
Prerequisite: High School Diploma or equivalent
This course covers classroom instruction plus lab and workshop instruction.
Career Track Farrier Course Outline
| Training Area | Engagement Hours |
| Lecture | 36 |
| Live Horse Trimming | 570 |
| Demonstrations | 36 |
| Shop Forging | 364 |
| Shoeing Feet and Horses | 380 |
| Review | 18 |
| Examination | 36 |
| Total Clock Hours | 1440 |
