How much to charge as a farrier
Farriery prices vary more by postcode than almost any other UK trade, and the reason is not skill. It is how far apart the horses are and how many you can shoe in a day.
Quick answer
UK farrier prices in 2026 vary widely by region. A trim is commonly quoted anywhere from about 20 to 60 pounds, a pair of front shoes with hinds trimmed from around 55 to 100, and a full set of four shoes from roughly 64 to 150. Prices run highest around cities and in traditional show and competition areas, and lowest in rural regions with dense horse populations and short distances between yards. Shoeing horses in Great Britain is restricted to registered farriers by law, so registration is a prerequisite, not a credential. What actually determines your income isn't your price per horse. It's how many horses you reach in a day.
Reported UK farrier prices, 2026
| Service | Lower end | Higher end | Usually driven by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim, all round | About 20 to 35 | Up to about 60 | Region and travel |
| Front shoes, hinds trimmed | About 55 | About 100 | Shoe type and region |
| Full set, four shoes | About 64 | About 150 | Region, road nails, stud holes |
| Remedial or surgical work | Premium | Premium | Skill and time |
Step-by-step
- 1
Price the round, not the horse
A full set at 90 pounds is a good price or a poor one depending entirely on whether the next horse is in the same yard or forty minutes away. Work out your realistic horses per day including driving, then divide your target daily income by it. That number, not the going rate in a forum thread, is what your price needs to be.
- 2
Charge for yards with one horse, or decline them politely
A single horse at the end of a long lane costs you the same travel as a yard of eight and earns an eighth as much. Either set a minimum call-out that makes it viable, or ask the owner to coordinate with neighbours. Most will, because they would rather have a farrier who turns up than one who quietly stops coming.
- 3
Build yards, not clients
The economics of this trade reward density above everything. A livery yard with twelve horses on a regular cycle beats twelve individual customers spread across a county, even at the same price per horse. Prioritise the yards, and let word travel within them.
- 4
Separate remedial work from routine shoeing
Corrective and remedial farriery takes longer, requires more skill and often involves working alongside a vet. It should not sit at the same price as a routine set. Pricing it distinctly is also how you signal that you do it, which is how those referrals start arriving.
- 5
Hold the cycle, and book ahead
Horses need attention on a predictable cycle of roughly six to eight weeks, which is a rare gift in a trade. Book the next visit before you leave the yard and you have a diary that fills itself. Farriers who wait to be called spend their time chasing work that was always going to happen.
- 6
Review prices annually, in writing
Steel, fuel and vehicle costs move, and this trade is notorious for holding prices too long out of loyalty to long-standing yards. Give notice once a year in writing rather than apologising for an increase on the day. Owners accept a scheduled rise far more readily than a surprise one.
Tips & best practices
- Regional spread here is enormous, so compare against farriers working your actual area rather than national averages.
- Density beats price. Two extra horses a day will do more for you than any rise you'd be comfortable asking for.
- Book the next cycle before leaving the yard. It costs nothing and removes most of your scheduling problem.
Common questions
How much does a farrier charge in the UK?
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It varies widely by region. A trim is commonly 20 to 60 pounds, front shoes with hinds trimmed roughly 55 to 100, and a full set of four from about 64 to 150. Cities and competition areas sit at the top of those ranges.
Why do farrier prices vary so much between areas?
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Mostly travel and density. Where yards are close together a farrier can do many more horses a day, so a lower price per horse still works. Where horses are scattered, the same daily income requires charging more per animal.
Should I charge a call-out fee for a single horse?
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Either that or a minimum charge. A lone horse at distance carries the same travel cost as a full yard, and absorbing it silently is the most common way farriers end up working long days for poor returns.
Do I need to be registered to shoe horses?
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Yes. Shoeing horses in Great Britain is restricted by law to registered farriers, so registration is a legal requirement, not an optional credential. Trimming is treated differently, but the shoeing restriction is firm.
How often should I raise my prices?
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Review annually and give written notice ahead of the change. Steel and fuel costs move, and scheduled increases are accepted far more easily than unannounced ones on the day.