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

You can apply for admission to the farriery examination and for state recognition as a farrier.

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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 individual shape of the hoof. The work also includes the treatment of injured and diseased hooves.

Anyone wishing to complete the advanced training course to become a state-certified and state-recognized farrier needs to have completed state-recognized vocational training.

The training is structured as follows:

  1. Introductory course: four weeks
  2. Practical work in farriery with a state-approved farrier who has been state-approved and in the farriery trade for at least three years: at least 24 months (full-time, but with at least 21 working hours/week)
  3. Preparatory course: four months
  4. Farriery examination: after the preparatory course

The preparatory course consists of a practical and a theoretical part. The state farriery school in Schwaiganger and the state-approved KL Bavarian Farriery School in Hilpoltstein hold a preparatory course twice a year (for dates, see "Further links"). Registration for participation in a preparatory course at the Schwaiganger State School of Farriery and the state-approved KL Bavarian School of Farriery 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 warm 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 an expert 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 work.

After successfully passing the farriery examination to become a state-certified farrier, students can apply for state recognition as a farrier. State recognition is the prerequisite for self-employment as a farrier.

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

  • has attended a state-recognized introductory course,
  • can provide evidence of at least two years of practical experience with a farrier who has been working in the farriery trade for at least three years following state recognition as a farrier (detailed proof of experience signed by the instructor)
  • has attended a state-recognized preparatory course at a farriery school,
  • 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 state-approved farrier!)

  • The documents depend on the type of approval:


    Admission to the farriery examination according to § 5 paragraph 1, paragraph 5 Farriery Ordinance (HufBeschlV) (standard case)

    • Proof of participation in an introductory course according to § 6 HufBeschlV
    • Proof of at least two years of practical experience in accordance with Section 7 HufBeschlV (proof of experience signed by the employer)
    • Proof of participation in a preparatory course in accordance with § 8 HufBeschlV

    Admission to the farriery examination according to § 5 para. 3, para. 6 HufBeschlV (only applies to journeymen and women in the metalworking trade, specializing in metal design, training in the core area of farriery with a state-approved farrier)

    • Certificate of successful completion of the vocational examination with a copy of the certificate of recognition as a farrier of the person providing training
    • Proof of participation in a preparatory course in accordance with § 8 HufBeschlV

    Admission to the farriery examination according to § 5 para. 4, para. 7 HufBeschlV (in exceptional cases if there is considerable previous knowledge)

    • Justification for the application for exemption from the admission requirements according to § 5 para. 1 HufBeschlV
    • Proof of participation in an introductory course in accordance with Section 6 HufBeschlV (exemption possible in the case of considerable prior knowledge)
    • Proof of at least two years of practical experience in accordance with Section 7 HufBeschlV (can be shortened to up to twelve months if there is considerable prior knowledge)
    • Proof of participation in a preparatory course in accordance with Section 8 HufBeschlV

    State recognition as a farrier in accordance with Section 4 (1) of the Farriery Act (HufBeschlG) in conjunction with Section 1 of the Farriery Ordinance (HufBeschlV)

    • Proof of successfully completed vocational training
    • Proof of at least two years of full-time employment subject to social security contributions with a state-recognized farrier who has been working in the farriery trade for at least three years following state recognition as a farrier or
      a certificate of employment signed by the employer in accordance with Section 7 (2) HufBeschlV
    • Proof of successfully passing the examination to become a farrier
    • Certificate of good conduct (not older than six months)

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

You will then receive a confirmation of receipt.

Once your application, including the supporting documents, has been checked, you will receive notification of the result.

The dispatch of the notice of approval for the farrier examination depends on the respective examination date.

The fees are due before the start of the courses.

  • The costs for the introductory and preparatory courses are determined by the farriery schools themselves and can be requested from them.
  • Examination fee: 350 EUR (§ 2 Para. 1 No. 7 Examination Fee Ordinance)

Meals and accommodation must be provided by the participant.

  • Admission to the farriery test May: Application received by 28.02. at the latest
  • Approval for farriery examination December: Application received by 30.09. at the latest.

about six weeks after the application deadline

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

An appeal may be lodged with the competent authority against a (negative) decision by the competent authority under federal state law on an application for admission to the farriery examination and (or) state recognition as a farrier. In addition, the applicant has the option of bringing an action before the locally competent administrative court.

Status: 02.11.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Forsten und Tourismus
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