Farrier Survey Sketches Professional Profile

A survey conducted by American Farriers Journal turned up the following facts:

• The average yearly income for full-time farriers who responded to the survey was $92,268.
• In a typical week, a farrier handles 48 horses belonging to 18 clients.
• The average horse has its hooves trimmed about seven times per year.
• Counting only ready-made or “keg” shoes, steel shoes accounted for about 80% of a typical farrier’s stock. Aluminum shoes were used 13% of the time, and non-metal shoes made up 7% of the shoe total. About 10% of shoes were handmade, with these custom shoes being used chiefly for therapeutic purposes.
• The nationwide average cost for trimming and setting four new keg shoes was just over $100.00. Trimming and resetting averaged about six dollars less. The charge for trimming without shoeing was in the range of $35.00 to $40.00.
• Around 90% of farriers reported they often or sometimes worked with veterinarians to solve hoof problems.
• Respondents said about 37% of horses in their area were shod year-around; 28% were shod most of the time but had shoes removed for part of the year; and 26% were trimmed regularly but not shod. They estimated that 9% of horses in their area were neither trimmed nor shod at any time.