A barefoot pony in rural Alabama might cost his owner $30 for a simple hoof trim every two months, while the thin-soled upper-level jumper with a history of navicular disease can easily rack up a monthly bill of $500 or more. Professional farrier costs can vary widely based on your location and the type of care your horse needs, ranging from $804 to $1,710 per year on average, according to a recent Synchrony survey.
Generally, farriery is divided into three categories: trimming, shoeing, and therapeutic farriery. Understanding the price ranges for each can help you budget appropriately for your individual horse’s ongoing hoof care needs.
Trimming Costs
Trimming refers to the service of maintaining a horse’s hooves by filing and rasping off excess horn growth to maintain or restore hoof balance. Most horses need their hooves trimmed every six to eight weeks, depending on their activity level and hoof growth rate (which tends to speed up in the summer and slow down in the winter). For barefoot horses—those that don’t wear shoes—regular hoof trimming remains crucial to their health and soundness. To give you an idea, research shows that if your horse’s toes are just 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) too long, it increases the force on the flexor tendons that run down the back of the limb by 110 pounds (Weller 2016).
Without the need to shape or nail shoes onto the hoof, the cost of a trim is relatively affordable. On average, trimming services range from $30 to $60 per trim. The price can vary depending on the horse’s ground manners, the region, and how far the farrier must travel to your location.
Shoeing Costs
Shoeing involves nailing or gluing metal horseshoes onto a horse’s hooves to provide protection, especially for horses in heavy work or ridden on abrasive terrain. Some horses only need shoes in the front and can remain barefoot behind. A basic set of traditional steel shoes costs as little as $100-150 for all four hooves in some parts of the country. The norm in pricier areas might be closer to $250-400. More specialized shoes—such as aluminum shoes, egg bar or heart bar shoes (which provide support all around the underside of the hoof), pads, or wedges—can increase farrier costs drastically. If your horses needs glue-on shoes instead of nailed-on shoes or epoxy to patch up hoof cracks, this will also add to the bill.
In addition to the cost of materials, the farrier’s labor and expertise influence the overall price. Should your equine athlete require custom shoeing or special fitting due to a unique hoof condition, expect to pay a premium. In the high-end horse community of Wellington, Florida, for instance, horse owners reported on social media spending an average of $450 for four plain shoes and upward of $750 for special shoeing, such as pads or wedges. Regardless of the services performed, farriers in regions with high demand or high cost of living for their services charge more.
Related Reading: Should Your Horse Be Barefoot or Shod?
Therapeutic Farrier Costs
Therapeutic farriery is specialized hoof care designed for horses with particular needs, including those recovering from injury or dealing with chronic conditions such as laminitis, navicular disease, white line disease, or hoof deformities. This category of farriery is more labor-intensive and often requires a podiatrist—a farrier with advanced training in veterinary care and a deeper understanding of hoof mechanics. Some podiatrists are also veterinarians.
Therapeutic farriery can quickly add up to $500 or more per shoeing, depending on the severity of the horse’s condition. This might include custom shoeing, corrective trimming, or additional treatments such as padding or special shoe modifications to address specific issues. Radiographs (X-rays) might need to be taken regularly to assess the bony alignment of the feet, which cost extra.
Related Reading: Common Horse Hoof Problems and How To Manage Them
Conclusion
Basic hoof trimming is the most affordable horse hoof care service. Shoeing and therapeutic farrier costs are more expensive because of the additional materials, time, and expertise involved. As a horse owner, it’s essential to budget for professional hoof care to ensure your horse remains sound and comfortable. Also, be prepared for the potential added costs of therapeutic farriery if the need arises down the road.
While it’s a crucial aspect of horse husbandry, hoof care is only one part of the horse’s owner monthly budget. If you’re interested in totaling up your expenses, check out How Much Does a Horse Cost Per Month?
Related Reading:
- Horse Hoof Care Schedules, Supplies, and Best Practices
- How To Find a Farrier for Your Horse
- Farrier Visit 101: How To Prepare and Handle Your Horse
Lucile Vigouroux, MSc, holds a master’s degree in Equine Performance, Health, and Welfare from Nottingham Trent University (UK) and an equine veterinary assistant certification from AAEVT. She is a New-York-based freelance author with a passion for equine health and veterinary care. A Magnawave-certified practitioner, Lucile also runs a small equine PEMF therapy business.
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