Veterinary clinics can handle a wide variety of needs ranging from reproduction to internal medicine. Many of the independent facilities across the United States and Canada have podiatry needs. With that need, these clinics and hospitals need farriers who are part of the team.

While it is difficult to find a permanent position that delivers all of your work within a clinic, there are many opportunities to work with clinics to some degree. You must be prepared to undertake challenges and adapt to different practices.

Getting Started

How do you get the call to work in a clinic? You could be referred as the farrier who already works with the horse. In general, it is a process of building a trusting relationship with the clinic.

Jason RoTramel says it boils down to your everyday work. The farrier from Sedqwick, Kan., who works at Wichita Equine and Sports Medicine, says making a good first impression with the clinic’s veterinarians is critical.

“When a horse is in the clinic, they know who did the work, good or bad,” he says. “Our first meeting with most vets is standing together looking at a crippled horse. Added to whatever they may have experienced from the farrier. Were you on time? What was you appearance? Do you work with or against them?”

RoTramel recalls that it was his work in Nebraska that caught the attention of Preston Hickman, the equine veterinarian who owns and operates Wichita Equine and Sports Medicine.

“He was working on some…