Farrier School Training at Arkansas Horseshoeing School
Built on a 130-year family tradition in blacksmithing and farriery.
Arkansas Horseshoeing School (AHS) is a farrier school and horseshoeing school in Dardanelle, Arkansas. AHS is a hands-on trade school for farrier training. Under the supervision of D. Paul Dorris, CJF, an American Farrier's Association Certified Journeyman Farrier, students from across the United States spend their days at the forge, under live horses, and in the field.
New to the trade? Start with becoming a farrier. Ready to pick a program? Compare farrier courses. See class dates before you apply.
Different backgrounds, one starting point.
Some students come in with no experience. Some have spent time around horses or shadowed a farrier. Some are veterans starting a new career. Arkansas Horseshoeing School offers multiple course lengths, and each traditional course starts with the same foundation and builds forward.
Start with the fundamentals
No prior experience is required. Training starts with the fundamentals, including safe horse handling, anatomy, hoof care, forge work, and shoeing.
Becoming a farrier ›8, 12, 16, or 24 weeks
The 8, 12, 16, and 24 week traditional courses all begin with the same foundation. The longer the course, the more depth, repetition, and training time you get as the program builds forward.
Compare farrier courses ›GI Bill® and VA funding
Post-9/11 GI Bill® and VA Voc Rehab funding are accepted for eligible students. Review the policy details and next steps before you apply.
GI Bill and VA options ›Is AHS 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.
- Who teaches, and why that matters
- What a typical training day looks like
- A student's view, mid-program
Choose the program length that fits your schedule, budget, and goals.
Tuition includes books and course materials. A farrier tool set is provided for use during training. For a side-by-side view of programs, see the farrier courses hub.
Farrier Eight Week Course
The school's basic farrier course, building entry-level skills in hot forge, trimming, fitting, and hoof anatomy.
Farrier Twelve Week Course
Builds on the 8-week course with more advanced work in therapeutic issues, handmade shoes, and hoof anatomy, problems, and diseases.
Farrier Sixteen Week Course
Builds on the 12-week course with more anatomy, forging, shoeing, therapeutic work, and introduction to bar shoes.
Farrier Twenty-Four Week Course
Builds on the 16-week course with more advanced forging, anatomy, therapeutic shoeing, and handmade bar, creased, and heart bar shoes.
Modern Materials & Advanced Forging Course
Advanced training in nontraditional methods and advanced forging, including glue, pads, aluminum, polymer shoes, wooden clogs, and drilling and tapping.
Therapeutic Specialty Course
A 90-hour specialty course for experienced farriers, focused on approaches to common lameness. Not an introductory course. Bring your own tools.
What Training Is Like at Arkansas Horseshoeing School
AHS is built for hands-on farrier training. The school sits on 11.5 acres near Dardanelle, Arkansas, with shop space, a covered training area, and work under horses, at the forge, and in the field.
Get under a horse on your first day
That first-day horse work is done with close instructor supervision and safety-first training.
Hands-on training in the shop and in the field
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.
Maximum of 5 students per instructor
Class sizes are kept small, with a maximum of 5 students per instructor, so students receive close, hands-on guidance during training.
Arkansas Horseshoeing School is a trade school, not a college. Students should be ready for hands-on training most days, including time under horses, at the forge, and in the field with an instructor.
Core Farrier Training Areas
- Horse handling
- Equine anatomy and physiology
- Hoof trimming and balance
- Blacksmithing, hot forge, and anvil work
- Diagnosing hoof problems and diseases
- Horseshoeing: putting it all together
- Managing a farrier business
Students also learn appointment scheduling and client communication, the same basic business habits they will need if they go on to build their own farrier work.
“I’m surprised at how many horses we get to work on… I also like that we travel to barns and work in those conditions, not just shoeing at a school.” Eric Pruitt, quoted during his 3rd week as an AHS student
Training that prepares students for AFA certification.
Our training helps students prepare for the American Farrier's Association certification path: Certified Farrier (CF), Certified Tradesman Farrier (CTF), and Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF). Arkansas AFA certification testing has been held on site at AHS, including the October 2025 exam.
Practical reasons students choose AHS.
These are the benefits that matter most on day one, and keep mattering through graduation and into your first year of apprenticeship work.
GI Bill® and VA funding accepted for eligible students.
Arkansas Horseshoeing School accepts Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits and VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (Voc Rehab) funding for students who qualify. Check with your local VA office to confirm eligibility.
- No $500 deposit required when using VA benefits
- Veterans are certified for one traditional course based on school assessment, plus the advanced course if the student chooses to continue
- On-site bunkhouse housing available for $50 per month
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Instructor Experience and Industry Credentials
D. Paul Dorris, CJF has worked at some of the highest levels of the trade. Here are a few of those credentials.
World Equestrian Games
D. Paul Dorris, CJF served as Official Farrier for the Eventing Division of the 2010 World Equestrian Games, the first time the United States hosted the event.
Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event
Official farrier for fourteen years at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Paul Sr. also served at Rolex for years before him.
American Farrier's Association
A recognized member school listed with the American Farrier's Association, the standards body for the farrier profession in the United States.
What students, parents, and working farriers say.
My daughter went to the school. It was a great opportunity to learn about the trade. The instructors give tons of hands on experience. They individualize and keep a high standard of their craft. They value quality work and challenge students every day. The individual forge work is carefully guided to produce quality shoes. A thoughtful presentation of anatomy and techniques are there in book and class work. Hands on trimming and shoe fitting are overseen by award winning farriers. This was a great experience for my family to be a part of. Diligence and hard work will surely bring success to those who participate in the program.
I attended Arkansas horseshoeing school during the summer between my first and second year of college. I learned good fundamentals to allow me to make a living as a student. A couple years later after finishing college the owner Paul Dorris reached out and set me up for an apprenticeship. I thought horseshoeing was always going to be a side job for me, but after my apprenticeship I turned it into my full time career. No matter what your future holds in horseshoeing this school can help you get your start and can set you up for your future if you work hard.
I run a large equestrian facility in Washington state. Luckily I've had the pleasure of 5 farriers from this school working for me over the last ten years. The level of understanding, craftsmanship, and care for the balance of the foot, and level of continuous education even outside the school is 100% a reflection of the owner who pours his heart and soul into producing farriers to be their very best. 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. Great school, great program, highly recommend.
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. His father, E. Paul Dorris, remains on faculty.
Paul's formula for success is straightforward: high-quality, hands-on farrier training, a course you can afford, and the tools you need to start your business when you leave. Class sizes are intentionally kept small, and students work directly with faculty.
Meet the AHS instructors, or if you are still evaluating the trade, start with how to become a farrier.
Classes start the first Tuesday of every month.
Apply online, request the catalog and upcoming class dates, or call to talk through which program fits your goals.