Mobile Farrier: Shoeing and Trimming at the Barn

Private horse owners, boarding stables, riding schools, trail-riding outfits and hobby farms.

A set price per horse for a trim or a full set of shoes, with extras for corrective or therapeutic shoeing. Regular clients are booked every 6 to 8 weeks.

• Calm, confident handling of horses
• Metalworking and forge skills
• Good physical strength and stamina
• Reliable scheduling and client communication

• Commercial general liability insurance, as working around horses carries injury risk to you and others
• Check whether your province has any farrier certification or association standards clients expect
• Physically hard on the back, knees and hands, so plan your daily horse count carefully
• Winter weather, frozen ground and quieter seasons may affect your income, so budget for it
• Register as a sole proprietor and check when you need to register for GST/HST
• Check WCB/WSIB rules for your province if you ever take on an apprentice or helper

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your equipment, vehicle setup and insurance. Treat this as an estimate and cost out your own kit list before you start.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many horses you handle and the time of year. Winter weather, frozen ground and quieter seasons may affect your income, so budget for it.

Check commercial general liability insurance, whether your province has farrier certification or association standards clients expect, when to register for GST/HST, and WCB/WSIB rules if you take on an apprentice or helper. Plan your daily horse count too, as the work is hard on the body.