Why choose the AFTC?

This examination program allows farriers at all levels to push themselves to higher standards of hoof care and allows them to demonstrate their skills. These exams are a valuable part of farrier's continuing educational journey.

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Becoming a Farrier

Interested in becoming a farrier, but not sure where to start?

Your first step should be making sure that you’re ready for the challenging demands of this trade. Going for a ride along with a farrier is a great way to see exactly what exactly a farrier does and if this is the right career choice for you.

The next step is to go to farrier school. Farrier school is where you will gain basic skills that will help you find a good apprenticeship. When looking for a school it’s important to look for accredited institutions, where the instructor is knowledgeable in the trade. If they have either an Approved Journeyman Farrier of Canada (AJFC) or an American Farriers Association Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF), then it is likely to be a worthwhile school to attend.

Accredited farrier schools in Canada we recommend people investigate are:

Institut de Technologie Agroalimentaire du Quebec, Apprenti Marechal-Ferrent, located in Quebec
Kwantlen Polytechnic, Farrier Science, located in British Columbia
Olds College, Farrier Science, located in Alberta

While there are other privately run schools, the Approved Training Farriers of Canada (AFTC) does not endorse them. We advise potential students to thoroughly research schools.

After completing farrier school, you should look for an apprenticeship. A training farrier will help you develop the newfound skills from school. Now this is where the AFTC certification program begins. The AFTC provides training goals for farriers at different stages of their careers.

Level 1 Approved Apprentice Farrier of Canada (AAFC) is for new farriers entering the trade. These may be fresh graduates from farrier school or new apprentices.

Level 2 Approved Farrier of Canada (AFC) is meant for farriers who are independently working on horses while still developing skills and knowledge.

Level 3 Approved Journeyman Farrier (AJFC) is for experienced farriers that are working at an advanced level or want to take on apprentices.

For more information about becoming a farrier, or help finding local farriers looking to take on apprentices, these are the regional farrier associations across Canada:

Association des Marechaux-Ferrants du Quebec (AMFQ): https://amfq.org/

Eastern Ontario Farriers Association (EOFA): www.easternontariofarriers.com
Ontario Farriers Association: www.ontariofarriers.ca
Western Canadian Farrier Association (WCFA): https://wcfa.ca/

These associations frequently run clinics, conferences, and competitions that are available to farriers and the horse community. Contact them directly for more information on events they may be having near you!