Logo Bayernportal
- no location -
Home > Procedures

Farrier; application for admission to the farriery examination and state recognition

State recognition as a farrier can be applied for from the competent authority if proof of successful completion of the farriery examination is presented.

Responsible for you

For contact details of the responsible authoritiy and local valid information select under "Select location" a location.
Stilisiertes Bild eines Hauses
Regierung von Oberbayern
Mehr zur Behörde

Procedure details

A farrier, officially called a farrier in Germany, is a specialist in the care (trimming) and shoeing of animal hooves with horseshoes or other materials. He also traditionally makes the horseshoes and horseshoe nails himself in the forging process or adapts the horseshoes to the shape of the hoof. The work also includes the treatment of injured and diseased hooves.

Anyone wishing to learn the profession of farrier needs to have completed vocational training. The training is structured as follows:

  • Introductory course: four weeks
  • Practical work in farriery: at least 24 months
  • Preparatory course: four months
  • Farriery examination: after the preparatory course

Preparatory course

The preparatory course consists of a practical and a theoretical part. The recognized state farriery school Schwaiganger conducts a preparatory course twice a year (for dates see "Further links").
Registration for participation in a preparatory course at the state farriery school Schwaiganger can take place during the period of practical work (the majority of the practical work should already have been completed.) The application for participation in the course must be made in writing (informally). Confirmation of membership of a health insurance fund must be submitted for the duration of the course.

Examination content of the farriery examination

  • Performance of hot shoeing with irons
  • Performing shoeing with alternative hoof protection
  • Carrying out bare hoof care
  • Making a hoof or cloven hoof iron
  • Preparation of a case report followed by a technical discussion
  • Written examination paper with possible supplementary oral examination

The examination tasks should be carried out in accordance with the principle of complete action. The acquisition of appropriate knowledge and skills must take place during practical work. Attendance at the farriery school serves to deepen and consolidate knowledge and skills. For the case report, at least two interesting cases should be documented in writing and with pictures during the practical activity.

Admission to the advanced training examination for farriers is granted to those who

  • have at least two years' full-time employment subject to social insurance contributions with a farrier who has been practising the farriery trade for at least three years after being recognized by the state as a farrier,
  • has attended a recognized introductory course,
  • has attended a preparatory course at a farriery school,
  • provides proof of practical experience in accordance with § 7 HufBeschlV (incl. written proof of experience: ISBN no.: 978-3-933867-47-6),
  • submits a declaration stating whether and where the applicant has already taken an examination to become a farrier or has registered to take the examination
  • provides proof of a vocational certificate (only for journeymen and women in the metalworking trade, specializing in metal design, who have been trained in the core area of farriery by a recognized farrier). farrier)

  • Approval for farriery testing
    • Proof of attendance of an introductory course
    • Proof of at least two years of full-time employment subject to social insurance contributions (e.g. employment contract with at least 21 hours/week)
    • Proof of attendance of a preparatory course
  • State recognition as a certified farrier
    • Proof of completed vocational training
    • Proof of two years of full-time employment subject to social security contributions (e.g. employment contract with at least 21 hours/week)
    • Proof of successfully passing the examination after attending the required training courses
    • Proof of the reliability required to exercise the profession (extended certificate of good conduct)

The application for admission to the farriery examination and the application for state recognition as a certified farrier must be submitted in writing to the Government of Upper Bavaria together with the supporting documents.

The fees are due before the start of the courses.

  • Introductory course: EUR 1,000
  • Preparatory course: EUR 3,200
  • Examination fee: EUR 350 (§ 2 Para. 1 No. 7 Examination Fee Ordinance StMELF)

You must provide your own meals and accommodation.

The Schwaiganger School of Farriery can advise on questions relating to examination admission and the recognition procedure.

Status: 03.03.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Forsten und Tourismus
Contains machine translated content. Show the original content