Accepting applications for our upcoming sessions. Visit our Application page for details.

Support Us

We are looking for horses to teach our students. If you are interested in having your horses trimmed or shod at discounted rates while supporting farrier education, please get in touch with us ([email protected] or 708-297-7620). 

All work is done by the students and closely supervised and inspected by the instructors.

Course Overview

The Montana State University (MSU) Farrier School was established in 1970 and is part of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. The shop and classroom buildings are located approximately one mile west of the main MSU campus at the Bozeman Agricultural Research and Teaching (BART) Farm.

This well-respected school creates proficient, knowledgeable farriers with the skills to perform professional work on all types of horses. The 12-week course is carefully structured with a proven balance of theory and practice. In the classroom, students will learn about equine lower limb anatomy and physiology, as well as key concepts in biomechanics. In the shop, students will connect concepts learned in the classroom with trimming and forging techniques, including the fundamentals of shoe-making and how to fit a horse's foot properly. As students advance through the course, more specialized forging and shoe-making will be covered. The course structure and small class size ensure that each student receives individual instruction tailored to their skill level and learning style.

  • Spring 2026, Feb 16th - May 8th
  • Summer 2026, May 18th - Aug 7th
  • Fall 2026, Aug 17th - Nov 6th

The local equine community provides an abundant supply of horses for valuable skill development. The school collaborates closely with equine veterinarians, providing students with insight into the relationships between farriers and veterinarians and an opportunity to learn about corrective shoeing protocols for managing lameness. Guest lectures are part of the curriculum, and the school encourages visits from outside practicing farriers to ensure that students gain real-world exposure to the farrier industry. 

Upon completion, students will possess the skills necessary to establish their farrier practice and will be prepared to take the American Farriers' Association Certification (CF) Exam.

Calendar

For more information about the events hosted at the MSU Farrier School, please contact Diego Almeida ([email protected] | 708-297-7620)