The hoof carries your horse's entire weight and plays a big part in whether it moves freely or stiffly. A fixed hoof routine (picking out daily plus regular visits from the farrier) is one of the cheapest ways to stay ahead of expensive injuries.
How Often Should the Farrier Come?
Have the farrier come every six to eight weeks to trim or shoe the hooves. That is the advice of the KNHS (the Dutch equestrian federation) and of the RVO (the Netherlands Enterprise Agency). Hooves grow continuously: if you let that run on too long, the RVO says the horse can go lame and end up in severe pain.
The exact timing depends on a few things:
- Horn growth and wear. The KNHS ties the interval to how fast the horn grows and, for a horse in shoes, to how quickly the shoes wear. As a shoeing period goes on, the hoof grows out further and the load on the shoe changes, which raises the chance of a lost shoe. The NVvH (the Dutch farriers' association, Nederlandse Vereniging van Hoefsmeden) therefore advises against spacing appointments too far apart.
- Season. In summer, faster wear or different hoof growth can mean some horses are due sooner, according to the NVvH.
- Work and surface. Hard, dry ground absorbs less concussion, and a lot of work on it loads the hooves. Horses with thin soles or a weaker hoof wall sometimes need more support then.
Agree on a fixed interval with your farrier and put the appointments straight into your calendar. Sometimes an adjusted interval is enough; in other cases a different type of shoeing or extra protection may be called for.
Trimming or Shoeing?
There are roughly two routes, and which one fits depends on the horse and the work it does.
| Trimming (barefoot) | Shoeing (with shoes) | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | Horn is trimmed back and brought into balance | Trimming plus nailing a shoe to the hoof |
| Who it suits | Hooves that can handle the work, for example with normal use on soft ground | Hooves that wear down, crumble, or crack, or that need gait and stance corrected |
| Protection | The natural horn does the work | Protects the bottom edge of the hoof wall against wear; without studs, a horse in shoes slips more easily on slick ground and grass |
| Cost per visit | Typically roughly €30–€60 | Typically roughly €80–€150 for a full set |
Not every horse needs shoes. The KNHS recommends using shoeing only when it is necessary, because it has drawbacks too: the nails damage the hoof wall, the hoof dries out more easily, and the shoe reduces the hoof's natural shock absorption. With normal use on soft ground, hind shoes, for example, aren't needed. Shoeing comes into play when the bottom edge of the hoof wall wears, crumbles, or cracks, or when gait and stance need correcting; orthopedic corrections exist for that. Leave the choice to your farrier, in consultation with the vet if needed: it isn't a decision to improvise yourself.
See the glossary for short definitions of trimming, shoeing, and farrier terms.
Hoof Boots as an Alternative to Shoes
If you don't want shoes on the hooves, the KNHS names hoof boots, alongside glue-on shoeing: a boot that goes on over the hoof, without nailed-on shoeing. The KNHS mentions these options for horses with thin soles from a lot of work on hard ground, such as trail rides over paved roads, and advises discussing them with your farrier.
Competitions have their own rules. According to the KNHS Harnachementgids (tack guide), riding in hoof boots is allowed in show jumping and eventing. In a dressage test, hoof boots aren't allowed, except at the prize-giving. For other disciplines, that discipline's rulebook applies.
Choosing a Good Farrier
According to the NVvH, farrier is an unregulated trade in the Netherlands: anyone may call themselves a farrier, including someone who has done no more than a ten-day course. The name alone therefore says little about skill.
What you can look for:
- Diploma. The NVvH calls a recognized Dutch diploma the proof of proper training. You currently earn that diploma through the vocational (mbo) Farrier program, level 3. Feel free to ask about the farrier's training and experience.
- Membership. According to the association, every NVvH member holds such a diploma; it is a first requirement for membership. On the NVvH website you can search for a member by postcode or town. Diploma-holding members receive the annual C.E.F. sticker (Certified Euro-Farrier) only if they meet continuing-education requirements.
- Way of working. According to the NVvH, good farriers look at each horse individually, including its use, housing, and management, and explain what they do and why. They are reachable: they respond to calls and messages within a reasonable time, keep appointments or cancel them in good time. And they say no to work that falls outside their own expertise.
What You Do Yourself Every Day
Between the farrier's visits, care is up to you. Most of it is simple, but it has to happen consistently:
- Pick out the hooves daily, and definitely before and after riding. You remove small stones, manure, and mud, and keep an eye on the sole and the frog, the soft, V-shaped structure in the middle of the hoof.
- Watch for smell and texture. A sharp, rotten odor with black, mushy tissue around the frog often points to thrush. It develops in wet, dirty conditions; a dry, clean stall and stepping in early are the basics of prevention.
- Keep the environment balanced. Constantly switching between soaking wet and bone dry is bad for the horn. Clean, dry standing areas help more than any ointment.
- Watch the gait. You know your horse best. A hoof that feels warm, a strongly pounding digital pulse, or a horse that suddenly moves stiffly or unevenly are all signs to call the farrier or vet.
Common Hoof Problems
A handful of problems come up sooner or later. If in doubt, or with sudden lameness, the rule is simple: call the vet.
- Hoof abscess. An infection under the sole, often after dirt has worked its way in. The horse usually goes suddenly and severely lame. The farrier and vet open it up and let it drain.
- Thrush. A deterioration of the horn of the frog caused by moisture, dirt, and insufficient care. Tackle it early: the sooner you do, the sooner it clears up.
- Laminitis. An acute, painful inflammation inside the hoof, often linked to too much sugar from fresh grass or to being overweight. The horse stands tense, leans back onto its heels, and the hoof feels warm. This is an emergency: call the vet immediately, since if left untreated the coffin bone can rotate.
What's described here helps you recognize the signs, but it doesn't replace a diagnosis. For the right treatment, medication, and dosage, go to your vet.
Costs at a Glance
For the basic routine, budget roughly for the following. Amounts vary by region, by farrier, and by horse, so treat this as a guideline. These are indications, not official rates: ask your farrier for their own rates.
| Item | Indication |
|---|---|
| Trimming (barefoot) | roughly €30–€60 per visit |
| Shoeing (four shoes) | roughly €80–€150 per visit |
| Interval | typically every 6–8 weeks |
| Per year (trimming) | budget roughly €250–€450 |
| Per year (shoeing) | budget roughly €700–€1,200 |
Special corrective shoeing or extra visits for problems come on top of that. In the monthly cost breakdown of owning a horse, the farrier is a fixed, predictable line item, and cheap compared to the vet bill for an injury you could have prevented.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should the farrier come?
About every six to eight weeks to trim or shoe the hooves, according to the KNHS and the RVO. The exact timing depends on horn growth, how quickly shoes wear, the season, and the work on hard or dry ground.
What does a farrier cost?
Trimming typically costs roughly €30 to €60 per visit, shoeing with a full set roughly €80 to €150. These are indications, not official rates: ask your farrier for their own rates.
Does my horse need shoes?
Not every horse. The KNHS recommends using shoeing only when it is necessary, for example when the bottom edge of the hoof wall wears, crumbles, or cracks, or when gait and stance need correcting. Leave the choice to your farrier, in consultation with the vet if needed.
Can I compete in hoof boots?
According to the KNHS Harnachementgids (tack guide), riding in hoof boots is allowed in show jumping and eventing. In a dressage test, hoof boots aren't allowed, except at the prize-giving. For other disciplines, that discipline's rulebook applies.
How do I recognize a good farrier?
Farrier is an unregulated trade, so the name says little. The NVvH calls a recognized Dutch diploma, currently the vocational (mbo) Farrier program at level 3, the proof of proper training. A good farrier looks at each horse individually, explains what they do and why, is reachable, and says no to work outside their own expertise.
What do I do myself every day?
Pick out the hooves daily, especially before and after riding, and watch the smell and texture of the frog. Keep the stall dry and clean.
In Short
Stick with one regular farrier and a fixed interval of six to eight weeks, pick out the hooves daily, and keep the stall dry and clean. Choose barefoot or shoes based on the horse and its work, not on a hunch, and involve your farrier (and the vet if needed) in that choice. Hoof boots are an alternative to shoes, but they aren't allowed in a dressage test. When choosing a farrier, look at the diploma and at the way of working. With sudden lameness, a warm hoof, or a horse standing tense: don't keep riding, call instead.
Sources (verified October 20, 2026): KNHS: How do you care for a horse's hooves? · KNHS: What is thrush in horses? · KNHS: What are hoof abscesses in horses? · KNHS: FAQ tack guide (Harnachementgids), version March 2, 2026 · RVO: How do you take good care of your horse? · NVvH: Hoof care during the dry summer months · NVvH: Help, my horse has lost a shoe! Now what? · NVvH: What makes a good farrier? · NVvH: recognized diploma and finding a farrier · NVvH: C.E.F. farrier · NVvH: Training to become a farrier · KNMvD: Laminitis in Horses guideline (Leidraad Hoefbevangenheid Paard), version March 16, 2026 · Amounts: 2026 price levels of Dutch providers (indicative, not official rates)
See also: How much does horse riding cost per month? · Full board, half-board, or your own stable · Level: Considering Your Own Horse