Farriers combine veterinary knowledge, blacksmithing skill, and physical stamina to care for horses' feet. They trim overgrown hooves, forge and fit custom metal or synthetic shoes, and correct gait or conformation issues that could otherwise lead to lameness. Most farriers are self-employed, traveling to barns, stables, and ranches to service a rotating client base of horse owners, trainers, and equestrian facilities.
| Entry level | $28,000 |
| Median | $55,000 |
| Senior | $85,000 |
| Top 10% | $120,000 |
| Job growth | +5% |
| Professionals in the USA | 25,000 |
| Typical hours/week | 45 hrs |
| Remote work share | 0% |
| Annual job openings | 3,500/yr |
| Demand | 3.7 / 10 (Low) |
Farriery is a hands-on physical trade involving live animals, hot metal work, and biomechanical judgment that remains far outside current AI and robotics capability. AI may assist with scheduling, record-keeping, and diagnostic imaging analysis, but the core craft of shoeing and trimming horses stays firmly human.
Automation exposure: Administrative tasks like appointment scheduling, invoicing, and client communication can be automated. Some diagnostic support (gait analysis via apps, X-ray interpretation aids) may use AI to assist decision-making.
The human edge: Physical dexterity working under a 1,000+ pound animal, reading horse temperament and behavior in real time, custom forging and fitting of shoes, and building trust with both horses and owners require embodied skill and experience AI cannot replicate.
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current data with BLS.gov.