Best Farrier School Training – Arkansas Horseshoeing School
Arkansas Horseshoeing School (AHS) is a nationally recognized farrier school in Dardanelle, Arkansas, training students from across the United States. Backed by more than 130 years of family tradition in blacksmithing and farriery, our farrier training programs deliver the hands-on skills and real horse experience students need to succeed in this demanding trade.
Known as both a respected farrier school and a trusted horseshoeing school, AHS blends clear classroom instruction with extensive shop and field work. Under the expert supervision of D. Paul Dorris, CJF (AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier), students at our farrier school gain real-world experience in trimming, forging, and shoeing while preparing for a long-term farrier career.
- Program length: 8–24 weeks (Traditional Farrier Courses)
- Tuition: $11,900–$20,900
- Start dates: year-round, first Tuesday of each month
- Housing: optional bunkhouse boarding at the school for $50/month
- Funding: VA funding accepted (confirm eligibility with the VA)
- New students work under a live horse on day one, with close instructor supervision and safety-first training.
Recent Google Reviews
After ten years of seeing the work of these farriers I finally had the opportunity to meet the man who has given to so many, Paul Dorris.
Great school, great program, highly recommend.
Arkansas AFA certification testing hosted again on site (October 2025)
Arkansas Horseshoeing School has hosted Arkansas AFA certification testing on site, including the October 2025 exam. Our farrier school training helps students build the skills they need to pursue (AFA) American Farrier’s Association certification path and a long-term farrier career.
Meet D. Paul Dorris, CJF, AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier
Arkansas Horseshoeing School was founded by D. Paul Dorris, CJF, an American Farrier’s Association Certified Journeyman Farrier.
He believes the formula for success includes high quality, hands-on farrier training, a course you can afford, and having the tools you need to start your farrier business.
To become a top farrier, you must master the skills and art of horseshoeing and commit to the highest standards of the profession.
Is Arkansas Horseshoeing School the right fit for you?
This 4 minute video can help you decide. Meet the owner and head instructor, see the facility, and listen to a student going through a course.
Core Farrier Training Areas
- Horse Handling
- Equine Anatomy and Physiology
- Hoof Trimming and Balance
- Blacksmithing – Hot Forge and Anvil
- Diagnosing Hoof Problems & Diseases
- Horseshoeing: Putting It All Together
- Managing a Farrier Business
Note: Arkansas Horseshoeing School is a trade or vocational school, not a college. Be prepared for hands-on training most days. You will spend a lot of time trimming, forging, and shoeing horses, as well as going into the field with your instructor to barns and horse owner facilities. You will also learn appointment scheduling and client communication, just as you would in your own farrier business.
Students from across the U.S. attend our programs, including some who use Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits or VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (Voc Rehab) funding when eligible. With courses ranging from 8 to 24 weeks, you can choose the program length that best fits your schedule, needs, and goals.
For experienced farriers, we offer the 24 week Modern Materials and Advanced Forging Course.
September 2025 – August 2026 Class Dates
See our school calendar for each course beginning and ending dates by month.
Student benefits at Arkansas Horseshoeing School
- The best possible foundation from a highly respected farrier school
- An apprenticeship in horseshoeing
- Learn from D. Paul Dorris, CJF AFA – nationally recognized farrier
- Small class size, so more individual assistance
- Tuition fee includes books and course materials.
- Boarding – Separate men’s and women’s bunkhouse boarding is not included in the course fee but is available for just $50 per month.
- Tools – The school will provide all of the tools you need for the basic 8, 12, 16 and 24 week courses, including an anvil and forge.
*If you successfully complete your course, Paul will even give you the tool set to help you start your farrier career.
Farrier course options and tuition
Specialty Courses
- Therapeutic Specialty Course (2.5 weeks) – $4,600
90 hours of training – approach to different methods of dealing with common lameness.
*Not an introductory course, for experienced farriers only. Bring your own tools.
Traditional Courses
- Farrier Eight Week Course – $11,900
- Farrier Twelve Week Course – $12,900
- Farrier Sixteen Week Course – $13,900
- Farrier Twenty-Four Week Course – $20,900
Advanced Course
- Farrier Twenty-Four Week Modern Material Course – $21,900
*To enroll in this course, students must complete a prior course of up to 12 weeks, have one year of prior shoeing experience or be able to demonstrate sufficient skill level to the director.
VA Benefits students will only be certified for one – traditional course based off the school assessment of needs and training. And the advanced course should the student decide to pursue the program.
Many students come from states all across the U.S., because of the reputation of the school and instructors.
NOTE: We can only accept students living in the United States.
Learn more about how much you can make as a farrier.
Financial Assistance
State Rehabilitation Services – The Arkansas Horseshoeing School accepts student funding from the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, offering qualified individuals the opportunity to pursue a specialized career in farriery.
*Prospective students from other states should check with their own Vocational Rehabilitation or Rehabilitation Services offices, as many states allow out-of-state training when certain criteria are met—such as the lack of an equivalent in-state program or when an out-of-state program is more cost-effective.
Post-9/11 GI Bill® Veterans Benefits and VA Voc Rehab Benefits accepted. Please check with your local VA office to see if you qualify.
‘‘GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”
Note: The $500.00 deposit is not required if you will be using your VA benefits.
Pay $500 Deposit (secure online payment).
Successful students and farrier careers
Our graduates build real farrier careers, and other professionals trust the training they receive at AHS.
“One of Paul’s recent graduates lives near me and helps us on occasion. He definitely received a strong foundation at AHS, from work ethic to sound fundamentals of Farriery.”
– Steve Sermersheim CJF TE, AWCF – Middlefork Forge
– Jacey Broussard, CF, owner of JC’s Hoofcare and a graduate of our school.
“I’m surprised at how many horses we get to work on, it is great. On days like today we get to get under all the horses we want. I had talked to some guys at other schools who said sometimes they would only get to do one foot on one horse in a day. I also like that we travel to barns and work in those conditions, not just shoeing at a school.
With fewer students we are getting so much instruction directly from Paul. And we are getting to see a lot of therapeutic shoeing with him. I feel like we are getting more depth in what we are learning here.”
– Eric Pruitt, AHS student (quoted during his 3rd week at AHS)
Apprenticeships and ongoing support
We always assist students in finding apprenticeship positions after they finish our program.
The success rate for graduates of any school skyrockets when apprenticeship is combined with formal education.
We take a personal interest in each individual we work with and enjoy talking with prospective students to answer questions and help them find what they need in a formal education in horseshoeing.
Don’t hesitate to contact us – we want to help
you make an informed decision when evaluating schools.
More about Arkansas Horseshoeing School
D. Paul Dorris founded the Arkansas Horseshoeing School and is the head instructor. His father, E. Paul Dorris, was also an instructor and remains a member of the school faculty. Together they have more than 75 years as journeyman farriers.
The faculty worked together to create coursework that gives students everything they need to start their careers. They decided to keep class sizes ultra small and avoid using teaching assistants.
Their plan was for the school to be as much like an apprenticeship experience as they could manage. Whether you’re in an anatomy class, under a horse, or out in the field working with one of the faculty, you’re always working with the guidance of an expert.
International farrier credentials
D. Paul Dorris, CJF has a long list of accomplishments. In early October 2010 he was an Official Farrier for the Eventing Division of The World Equestrian Games, where top equine champions from over 50 countries gather every four years to compete. This 2010 WEG is the first time the U.S. has been chosen to host this prestigious event. Over 500,000 attended and it was covered by NBC Sports.
For fourteen years, he’s also been an official farrier at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, also a Four Star Event like the World Games and the Olympics. Paul’s father, Paul Sr. was also an official farrier at Rolex for years. It says a great deal about their reputations that father and son are entrusted with horses of this caliber.
How we design and teach our courses
We’re proud of our farrier courses. A great deal of collaborative effort among the faculty went into designing their content. In addition to the foundation of knowledge in horseshoeing and the business end of things, we’ll also teach you how to maintain your health, concentrating on safety and on how to minimize wear and tear on your body.
If you would like more information about our school, please call or use the contact form.