Farrier

A farrier shoes horses and other equines, and treats their feet and lower limbs using blacksmithing and farriery techniques. The role involves assessing hoof condition, forging and fitting metal horseshoes, and addressing foot-related soundness issues in agricultural, racing, and leisure equestrian settings across Australia.

Assess hoof condition and gait to diagnose foot imbalances, lameness, or pathological conditions requiring corrective shoeing. Forge horseshoes from steel or aluminium bar stock using anvil, hammer, and forge, shaping and tapering to fit individual hooves. Rasp and trim hooves using hand tools (rasp, hoof knife, nippers) to achieve balanced bearing surface and appropriate angles. Fit and nail horseshoes to hooves using clinching techniques and clenching tools, ensuring secure attachment without damage to hoof wall. Perform corrective shoeing techniques such as rocker shoes, bar shoes, or egg-bar shoes to address specific locomotor or structural issues. Apply therapeutic treatments including packing materials, poultices, or medications to address hoof infections, thrush, or other pathologies. Take measurements and impressions of hooves to create custom shoes for horses with irregular hoof shapes or severe conformational issues. Counsel horse owners on hoof maintenance, shoeing intervals (typically 6 to 8 weeks), and preventive care to maintain equine foot health.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training (ABS skill level 3). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

Your body takes a beating. You're bending, lifting, and hammering all day in heat from the forge. Back injuries, joint problems, and repetitive strain are common. The work is physically demanding enough that many farriers struggle past their 50s. Income depends heavily on how many horses you can shoe per week, so illness or injury directly hits your pay.

Regional areas with significant agricultural or hobby horse populations have steady demand. Most farriers are sole traders or small operators working within a 50-100km radius of home, travelling to clients. Remote work isn't an option.

• Active Listeningcore
• Advise horse owners on farriery requirementscore
• Appointment Schedulingcore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Carry out post hoof-trimming activitiescore
• Continuous Learning and Upskillingcore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Invoicing and Billing Administrationcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Complaint Handling
• Negotiation
• Policy and Procedure Adherence
• Professional Boundaries Maintenance
• Record Management
• Supplier Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026