Levels and Requirements

BWFA Apprentice II Certification

Designed primarily with the student in mind, approximating the

level of competence achieved after completing a six week

session at a reputable horseshoeing school. 

       Written:  Time limit is 60 minutes.

Must be able to name all bones and joints from the knee down.

Able to identify and label all parts of the hoof.

Should have a basic understanding of equine movement.

       Shoeing: Time limit is 90 minutes.

Must shoe at least two hooves (one front and one hind) with factory made (keg) shoes.

The hooves should be balanced, set at natural angles, ground surface level, and the toe lengths correct.

Able to use some of the basic corrective principles, if needed.

       Forging:  No time limit.

Must be able to make any keg shoe modifications the tester requests (limited to 4 modifications)

BWFA Journeyman I Certification

Test for farriers having at least one full year of

practical experience in shoeing live specimens. 

         Written:  Time limit is 60 minutes.

Must be able to label all bones and joints of the upper and lower limb.

Able to identify and label all parts of the hoof, and all the tendons and ligaments of the lower limb.

Must be able to answer questions on general shoeing practices, movement problems and some aspects of gait.

       Shoeing:  Time limit is 90 minutes.

Must shoe at least 2 hooves (one front and one hind) with factory made (keg) shoes.

 The hooves should be balanced, set at natural angles, ground surface level, and the toe lengths correct.Ø  Able to use some of the basic corrective principles, if needed.

         Forging: No time limit.

Must be able to make the following handmade shoes: basic front pattern & basic hind pattern (no clips or creases will be required, unless requested by tester).

Must be able to make the following factory (keg) shoe modifications: square toe, toe clip, trailer and egg bar. 

 BWFA Journeyman II Certification

Test for farriers having at least three full years of practical

experience and forge work as a full time or part-time working farrier. 

       Written:  Time limit is 120 minutes.

Comprehensive test on:

·         all bones of the front and hind limbs

·         origin and function of tendons and ligaments

·         all hoof structures, internal and external

·         different horseshoes and their functions

·         gait analysis

       Shoeing:  Time limit is 3 ½ hours

  Must shoe all 4 feet with handmade shoes.

·         Fronts must be toe clipped

·         Hinds must be quarter clipped.

       Forging:  No time limit.

Must be able to produce handmade bar shoes of any type requested by the tester; egg, heart, straight, etc.

The tester may request some type of handmade shoe for the candidate to demonstrate a superior knowledge in use of forging tools and skilled techniques.

This level of certification is designed to demonstrate a very high degree

of skill by the farrier, and above average knowledge of equine motion and gait.

To achieve this level, a farrier must have a comprehensive understanding

of clinical and practical farrier science.

BWFA Master Farrier Certification

For farriers having seven or more years of practical shoeing experience,

and currently working as a full-time farrier with a Journeyman II Certification

or equivalent from another association. This is also offered to farriers with

15 years of verifiable practical experience with no previous certification,

after having passed the Journeyman II and the Master Farrier written tests.

This test is administered three times each year at B.W.F.A sanctioned

Master Educator Horseshoeing Schools. This is a two-day comprehensive exam. 

       Written:  Time limit is 120 minutes.

Similar to the Journeyman II level test, but more comprehensive in nature.

Must have a complete understanding of joints, bones, tendons, ligaments and hoof structure.

Must have a complete understanding of different types of horseshoes and the functions of each.

A thorough knowledge of gait analysis and the application of all corrective principles.

       Forging:  No time limit.

Must be able to make four handmade shoes along with the tester. These four shoes can be any pattern that the tester desires, as long as the tester makes the shoes of his choice on the same day as the testing farrier. The shoes of the candidate should be as well done as that of the tester.

       Live Shoeing:  Time limit is 4 ½ hours

Candidate will draw a horse from a pen of assorted types and breeds (gaited, hunter, draft, dressage, etc.) and shoe it to the Master Farrier Tester’s instructions, with all handmade shoes.