Traditionally horseshoeing has been a male-dominated industry, but women are entering the profession at unprecedented rates. The most recent American Farriers Journal Farrier Business Practices survey indicates 6% of full-time farriers and 10% of part-timers are women. While many females are finding success in the trade, the road hasn’t been easy and they still face some challenges.

I spoke with three of these horseshoers, all in different areas of the country and in varying stages of their careers. Their experiences in many cases were remarkably similar.

All three were happy to discuss stereotypes, the issues they have faced and some methods to combat them. Although a story on female farriers in a way propagates the idea of “female farriers,” it can’t be discussed otherwise.

For the most part, female farriers don’t want to be defined by their gender, or any other version of that title. They’re horseshoers — that’s all.

Gaining Trust

Lauren Mrozowski doesn’t hesitate to say that gender has affected her shoeing career. She has been shoeing for 2 years near Santa Barbara, Calif., although she recently made the short move to Lompoc. She has a growing and successful business, but there have been some setbacks.

“It has definitely had an impact on my shoeing career up to this point,” Mrozowski says of her gender.

It began shortly after she graduated from shoeing school, when she set out to find an apprenticeship. She never found a farrier willing to take her on. Some bluntly told her they would…