Farriers: The Unsung Heroes of Equine Health and Performance

Abigail Gonzalez
Jul 9
2 min read

Brown donkey grazing on green grass with small yellow flowers. — Lucille investigating her enrichment box

Horses and donkeys are big, strong animals, but their hooves need special care to keep them healthy and happy. That’s where farriers come in! A farrier is a person who takes care of horses' hooves by trimming them and putting on horseshoes when needed.

Taking care of a horse’s hooves is very important because horses stand, walk, and run all day. If their hooves are too long, uneven, or hurt, it can make them feel bad or even stop them from moving properly.

Brown donkey holding paper in its mouth, standing in a green field with distant trees under a cloudy sky. — Monte playing with his enrichment

What Does a Farrier Do?

A farrier helps horses by:

Trimming and shaping their hooves so they don’t get too long or uneven.
Putting on horseshoes if a horse needs extra support.
Helping horses walk and run better by fixing hoof problems.
Stopping hoof diseases like thrush and laminitis, which can make a horse’s hooves sore and sick.

Just like people need comfortable shoes, horses need strong, healthy hooves to feel good!

Chestnut horse stands on lush green grass in a sunny field. Background includes trees and a blue sky. — Honey coming over to say hello

How Farriers Help Horses Stay Healthy

✅ Stopping Pain and Injuries. If a horse’s hooves are too long or uneven, it can hurt to walk. Farriers make sure their hooves stay the right size and shape so they can move easily.

✅ Helping Horses Walk Better. Some horses need special horseshoes to help them walk, run, or stand correctly. A farrier can fix these problems so the horse can move safely.

✅ Helping Hurt Horses Get Better. If a horse has an injured hoof, a farrier can use special shoes to help it heal faster. This stops the injury from getting worse.

✅ Helping Working and Sport Horses. Horses that jump, race, or work on farms need extra care for their hooves. Farriers use different kinds of horseshoes to help them run faster, jump higher, or walk on rough ground without hurting their hooves.

Close-up of a brown donkey on a grassy field with barn and trees in background. — Lucille investigating the camera

Farriers Know a Lot About Hoof Care!

Farriers don’t just trim hooves—they know a lot about how hooves grow and change. They also:

🔹 Teach horse owners how to keep hooves healthy.🔹 Work with veterinarians to help horses with special needs.🔹 Give advice on food and other things that help hooves grow strong.

A brown donkey stands on a grassy field with scattered twigs, looking towards the camera. The background is a lush green meadow. — Roo watching his keepers before coming over to see if they have any tasty treats

How Often Should a Horse See a Farrier?

Most horses need to see a farrier every 4 to 8 weeks. This helps their hooves stay strong, smooth, and healthy!

A horse might need more farrier visits if:🐴 Their hooves grow fast.🐴 They wear special shoes.🐴 They work hard or play a lot.🐴 They walk on rough or rocky ground.

Two brown donkeys stand in a sunny pen with metal fencing. One donkey, facing forward, is near a pile of hay. Grass visible in background. — Jewel and Connie waiting for their turn with the farrier

Farriers Keep Horses Happy and Healthy!

Farriers are very important because they make sure horses can walk, run, and play without pain. By taking care of their hooves, farriers help horses stay strong and healthy for a long time.

So, the next time you see a farrier working, remember—they are helping horses from the ground up! 🐎💙