Informal surveys seem to indicate that most farriers are opposed to licensing the trade. But that doesn’t mean that many farriers aren’t concerned about the quality of the work done by horseshoers.

Over the years, several organizations have been established with a goal of encouraging education and establishing standards for horseshoeing work. Here is a look at the voluntary certification levels that some of those organizations have established and the requirements for earning them.

American Farrier’s Association

Source: American Farrier’s Association Web site: www.americanfarriers.org

Intern Classification (IC)

Purpose: Provide testing and recognition for those just starting in farriery, a level for students graduating from formal horseshoeing training or progressing as an apprentice. This is a CLASSIFICATION only, NOT a certification as a qualified farrier.

Intern Written Test: Multiple choice - true/false questions. Anatomy (2 basic topics), 20 percent (bones, 10 percent, tendons and ligaments, 10 percent). Physiology, 20 percent. Pathology, 10 percent. Gaits and movement problems, 10 percent. Horseshoes and nails, 40 percent.

Eighty percent is the required passing score. Seventy percent on the Certified Farrier written tests will be accepted as a passing score for Intern Classification.

Intern Practical Test: Same as Certified Farrier but extend time limit to 1.5 hours. Overtime Certified Farrier candidates may apply score to this level. Seventy percent minimum passing. We are looking for correct work without the pressure of requiring efficient speed.

Certified Farrier (CF)

Certified Written Exam: Consists of multiple choice and true/false questions.

Time Limit: 1 hour.

Passing: 80 percent or…