Yours can be an unpredictable job. You can be stomped, kicked, struck or thrown to the ground. And that’s just by the horses.

Your own equipment can get you, too. Anvils, forges and nails can present a clear danger. Add to this the scenario that a client’s horse can get hurt during the process.

It makes sense to be ready for an emergency, because there are very few farriers working today who haven’t had at least one. War stories are spooky, but they are good reminders of what can happen.

Danger From Striking Horses

Dr. Dennis Hatch established his breeding operation, Hatch’s Quarter Horses, in 1982 in Superior, Neb. As both a horseman and a medical doctor who has worked in emergency rooms, he’s well aware of what farriers face on the job. “They can get a myriad of injuries,” he says. Prevention can lessen the risk, but all too often, accidents happen with lightning speed and no warning. 

A horse that strikes is one example. “Back feet can hurt you, but the front feet are more dangerous in terms of the kinds of injuries you can get,”…