COURSES OFFERED

2 WEEK COURSE

This two-week course will absolutely teach you to shoe your own horse. The intent of this course is to teach you to shoe your own horses and perhaps build up a part-time clientele.

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8 WEEK COURSE

This eight-week course is the best very least amount of time that you would expect to attend school to become a professional farrier. You will learn cold shoeing, hot shoeing, and handmade shoes for lameness and for different types of athletic endeavors.

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12 WEEK COURSE
In twelve week’s time you will learn to shoe horses with cold shoes, hot shoes, and many different types of handmade shoes. This course will prepare you to shoe horses at a high level appropriate to the most discerning customers you might acquire. After the first eight weeks you might expect to do most of your shoeing with hand forged shoes that you have made yourself. You will learn to do this in an appropriate amount of time which your shoeing practice will require. This course will also prepare you to take the BWFA Certification examination at the Apprentice level (passing the written exam and shoeing a horse with hand forged fullered and clipped shoes in three hours). (Also, beginning week five the student will go to dental class on the first and third Friday of the month). More
1 WEEK COURSE

This two-week course will absolutely teach you to shoe your own horse. The intent of this course is to teach you to shoe your own horses and perhaps build up a part-time clientele.

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2-WEEK BASIC HORSESHOEING COURSE

Our Basic Horseshoeing Course provides a comprehensive introduction to the farrier profession, covering fundamental principles of equine anatomy and forging techniques. Lectures will cover the gross anatomy involved in the hoof capsule, equine skeleton, and soft tissue structures, ensuring a strong foundational understanding of hoof health.

Other principles taught will be how to properly position yourself while under a horse, trimming the foot and nailing on shoes. In addition to anatomy, this course includes hands-on training in essential forging skills, such as drawing and shaping steel.

Designed for horse owners and enthusiasts seeking to expand their knowledge of hoof care, this course is ideal for those looking to maintain the health of their personal horses. However, it is not recommended for individuals intending to pursue horseshoeing as a professional career.

CURRICULUM: 80 hours
LECTURES, READING ASSIGNMENTS, AND DEMONSTRATIONS
Basic Anatomy: 12 Hours
  • Anatomy of the Hoof and Leg
  • Proper Angle of the Hoof
  • Hoof Structures
  • Bones and Joints
  • Ligaments and Tendons
BASIC TRIMMING AND SHOEING (HOT SHOEING)
FORING FROM BARSTOCK
The techniques below will help you in understanding the dynamics on how to use/understand the anvil.
  • Straightening out horseshoes
  • Turning straight pieces into circles
  • Forge welding the circles
  • Turning circles into diamonds
8-WEEK PROFESSIONAL HORSESHOEING COURSES
OHS Courses

Building upon the fundamentals learned in the first 2 weeks, the Professional Horseshoeing Course equips students with the expertise necessary to become a successful apprentice and establish a business.

Classroom work will cover detailed anatomy, conformation and hoof pathologies, while teaching strategic approaches to meeting the specific shoeing needs of each horse. In the forge, students will focus on shoe modifications and gain an introduction to making handmade shoes, further refining their forging proficiencies.

Daily shoeing evaluations will provide structured feedback on individual progress, ensuring continuous improvement. As the course advances, students will be held to increasingly higher standards, with an emphasis on efficiency in shoeing, forging and detailed lectures which will prepare students for graduation tests.

CURRICULUM: 320 hours
BASIC ANATOMY
  • Anatomy of the Hoof and Leg
  • Proper Angle of the Hoof
  • Hoof Structures
  • Bones and Joints
  • Tendons and Ligaments
  • Hoof Pathologies
  • Limb Deviations
  • Gait Faults
BASIC TRIMMING AND SHOEING (HOT SHOEING)
FORING FROM BARSTOCK
The techniques below will help you in understanding the dynamics on how to use/understand the anvil.
  • Straightening out horseshoes
  • Turning straight pieces into circle
  • Forge welding
  • Turning circles into diamonds
  • Basic Front and Hind
  • Clipping of Horseshoes
  • Forging a Barshoe
  • ¾” Fullered Front and Hind
  • ¾” Fullered Barshoe
FORGING FINAL TEST
The Student must forge a Plain Stamped Barshoe with a Toe Clip in 90 minutes in order to pass/complete the course.
12 WEEK ADVANCED HORSESHOEING COURSES​

The Advanced Horseshoeing and Blacksmithing Course is our most comprehensive program, designed to provide an in-depth education in professional horseshoeing. During the first eight weeks, students develop a strong foundation in essential farrier skills. In the final four weeks, the focus shifts to refining advanced techniques, improving efficiency, and gaining exposure to basic therapeutic shoeing methods.

Please note: While therapeutic shoeing is included in the curriculum, opportunities to practice may vary depending on the specific needs of the horses brought in by customers during the duration of your course.

Upon completing the 12-week program, students will have achieved a level of skill, precision, and efficiency that provided a distinct competitive advantage. After 12 weeks of intensive training, graduates should be well-prepared to enter the field as knowledgeable apprentices, possibly launch their own business, and pursue AFA certification testing.

CURRICULUM: 480 hours
BASIC ANATOMY
  • Anatomy of the Hoof and Leg
  • Proper Angle of the Hoof
  • Hoof Structures
  • Bones and Joints
  • Tendons and Ligaments
  • Hoof Pathologies
  • Limb Deviations
  • Gait Faults
BASIC TRIMMING AND SHOEING (HOT SHOEING)
FORING FROM BARSTOCK
The techniques below will help you in understanding the dynamics on how to use the anvil.
  • Straightening out horseshoes
  • Turning straight pieces into circle
  • Forge welding
  • Turning circles into diamonds
  • Basic Front and Hind
  • Clipping Horseshoes
  • Forging a Barshoe
  • 3/4 Fullered Front and Hind
  • 3/4 Fullered Barshoe
  • Side Bone Shoe
  • Sliding Plate
FORGING FINAL TEST
The Student must forge a ¾” Fullered Barshoe in 90 mins in order to pass/complete the course.
ONE WEEK CONTINUING EDUCATION

Oklahoma Horseshoeing School offers Continuing Education opportunities for graduates of any horseshoeing school program. These sessions are tailored to each student’s specific needs. Whether you’re preparing for certification, looking to refine specific skills, or need help with a certain area of Horseshoeing that you may be struggling in, our Instructors are here to help. The barn is open 24/7 with access to forges for practice. You are welcome to return as often as needed—even for consecutive weeks—until you reach your goals.

OHS Courses (2)
BUCKLE TEST

For those seeking an additional challenge, we offer a voluntary examination known as the "Buckle Test." Students who successfully pass the test will earn one of our OHS Buckles, a symbol of excellence and dedication in the craft.

  • Student must have passed the Forging Final Test in order to proceed with taking the Buckle Test
  • Part 1: A set (2 front and 2 hind) of Plain Stamped Shoes with a Toe Clip in 2.5 hours
  • Part 2: Shoe 2 feet with Plain Stamped Shoes with a Toe Clip in 2.5 hours
Curriculum is Subject to Change Without Prior Notice
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